10 Most Visually Stunning Foreign Fantasy Movies

Fantasy movies have some of the most complex and enticing visuals, and foreign fantasy films are no exception. Fantasy is a popular genre all over the world, as it can encompass so many different ideas. Its flexibility allows for unique spins to be put on the genre depending on where the movie is made.

Many foreign fantasy movies are influenced by culture, religion, and tradition and they often use these influences in their visuals. The subgenres of fantasy projects, such as xianxia or horror, can also affect how the visuals are created and used. Some of the best fantasy films of all time use visuals to their full advantage, fully immersing the audience in their stories.

10 Metropolis (1927)

Country: Germany

Metropolis only has visuals to rely on, as it’s a silent film. The movie tells the story of a dystopian metropolis where the rich thrive and the lower classes toil in inhumane circumstances. Each scene is a masterpiece of visual effects, from the makeup on the actors to the giant machines that power the metropolis. The film is not hindered by its lack of color either, as it utilizes lighting and shadows perfectly to make up for it.

9 Border (2018)

Country: Sweden

Border is about Tina, a Swedish Customs Service worker, who learns from a newcomer that she is a troll. There are no flashy special effects in Border. Its visuals are rather soft, as the film is meant to have a romantic feel to it. The makeup used to make Tina and Vore look like trolls is wonderfully done, making the actors beneath nearly unrecognizable. The lack of effects grounds Border. It feels as though fantasy has slipped into the world, rather than it being a different world entirely. It also speaks to the theme of nature that runs throughout — both the nature of Sweden and of Tina herself.

8 The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity (2020)

Country: China

One of the biggest subgenres within Chinese fantasy movies is xianxia, which uses a combination of spiritual influences and martial arts. The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity is a xianxia film following Qingming and Bo Ya as they try to defeat the Evil Serpent. While the effects around Qingming and Bo Ya’s spiritual and martial-arts abilities are stunning, the Evil Serpent is the highlight of this movie. It’s a visual feat, as it looks so realistic that it inspires genuine fear in the audience. Despite the antagonist being so awe-inspiring, the softness of the costuming and acting contrasts it well.

7 Hero (2002)

Country: China

In Hero, Jet Li stars as Nameless, a man bent on assassinating the king of China. Multiple versions of Nameless’ journey to the king are told, each featuring martial-arts skills and battles. In each, Nameless faces off with three would-be assassins: Long Sky, Broken Sword, and Flying Snow. The action sequences are masterfully done. Each movement adds to the beauty of the film’s visuals. As the stories are told, Hero also utilizes color in order to distinguish between life within the palace and life outside.

6 Along With The Gods (2017)

Country: South Korea

The Along With the Gods franchise boasts two films: The Two Worlds and The Last 49 Days. Both follow three guardians who bring the recently deceased through the trials faced in the Seven Hells after death to earn reincarnation. Along With the Gods relies heavily on visuals, as each of the Hells needs to seem otherworldly and awe-inspiring. The guardians themselves also have to add to the visuals of the films, as they often fight creatures that are trying to take their defendant before he can be reincarnated. Everything about the viewing experience of Along With the Gods is stunning.

5 Godzilla (1954)

Country: Japan

The 1954 Godzilla is one of the best kaiju movies, and it utilizes a technique called tokusatsu. Tokusatsu is a technique that hinges on practical special effects, rather than digital ones. The Godzilla monster was actually an actor named Katsumi Tezuka in a suit. Tezuka was placed on a set full of miniatures to interact with as the giant kaiju. Even though forms of digitized effects were available when Godzilla was made, the decision to eschew them in favor of practical effects was a good one. Godzilla is considered one of the best monster movies ever made for a reason.

4 Song Of The Sea (2014)

Country: Ireland

Song of the Sea is an animated film that pulls from Irish folklore. A young boy discovers that his sister is a selkie with a great destiny ahead of her. The film was hand-drawn, accentuating the heartfelt nature of the story contained within. The gentleness of the animation, combined with the soft pastel color palette, creates a soothing atmosphere even as the characters go through tough emotions. Song of the Sea‘s visuals are simply pleasant to look at, and the love that went into it shines through in each frame.

3 Akira (1988)

Country: Japan

Akira is an animated cyberpunk film based around motorcycle gangs and telekinesis in Neo-Tokyo. The film was adapted from a manga written Katsushiro Otomo and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. The animation style is incredible and has led to Akira being considered a landmark in Japanese animation. Each scene is full of bright colors and contains so many details that it’s easy to see why the film is so celebrated. Despite being animated, Akira feels very real.

2 Spirited Away (2001)

Country: Japan

Spirited Away is one of the most popular Studio Ghibli films for good reason. The storyline is beautiful, and the game-changing animation style of Spirited Away is breathtaking. Every character’s design speaks to their role and personality. The various spirits that visit Yubaba’s bathhouse are all unique and wonderful to look at. The bright colors accentuate the setting and add to the otherworldly quality of the place Chihiro finds herself in throughout Spirited Away. Studio Ghibli’s films are some of the most visually stunning fantasy movies ever made. It’s clear that everything is done with the purpose of making the world feel real, which it does.

1 Pan’s Labyrinth (2004)

Country: Spain

Guillermo Del Toro’s dark fantasy film, Pan’s Labyrinth, is one of the most visually rich fantasy films out there. Ofelia’s journey into the Faun’s labyrinth brings her to wonderful and terrifying places. The designs of the creatures, like the imposing Faun and Pan’s Labyrinth‘s horrific Pale Man, are incredible. Everything in the film is tinged with a sense of shadow, adding to the melancholy feeling that pervades the story. The design of everything brings the audience deeper into the world, which is exactly what fantasy should do.