Films about faeries often delve into the realm of fantasy and enchantment, exploring the mystical and often hidden world of fairy folk and their interactions with humans. These stories can range from heartwarming family tales to epic adventures and dark, gothic myths. They often feature magical elements, otherworldly settings, and mythical creatures, providing a rich backdrop for storytelling.
Here is a list of films about faeries:
“FairyTale: A True Story”, 1997
Director: Charles Sturridge
This film blends fact with fantasy, inspired by the true story of two young girls who claim to have photographed fairies in their garden, captivating the public and drawing the attention of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and magician Harry Houdini.
Starring: Elizabeth Earl, Florence Hoath, Paul McGann, Phoebe Nicholls, Peter O'Toole, Harvey Keitel, Bill Nighy, Anton Lesser, Tim McInnerny, Mel Gibson;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: fantasy, drama, detective, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “FairyTale: A True Story” on the website imdb.com
“Hook”, 1991
Director: Steven Spielberg
In this Peter Pan sequel directed by Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams stars as a grown-up Peter Pan who must return to Neverland to rescue his children from the clutches of Captain Hook, encountering Tinker Bell and other fairies along the way.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith, Caroline Goodall, Charlie Korsmo, Amber Scott, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurel Cronin;
Production year: 1991;
Genre: fantasy, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 142 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Hook” on the website imdb.com
“The Spiderwick Chronicles”, 2008
Director: Mark Waters
Based on the book series, this film follows the Grace family as they discover their new home is close to a world inhabited by faeries and other magical creatures, which they initially learn about through an old field guide.
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Sarah Bolger, Andrew McCarthy, Joan Plowright, David Strathairn, Seth Rogen, Martin Short, Jordy Benattar;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: fantasy, action, thriller, drama, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “The Spiderwick Chronicles” on the website imdb.com
“Pan”, 2015
Director: Joe Wright
A prequel to the Peter Pan story, this film explores the origins of the characters and introduces a young boy named Peter who is whisked away to Neverland, a magical world filled with warrior fairies and new adventures.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara, Adeel Akhtar, Nonso Anozie, Amanda Seyfried, Kathy Burke, Lewis MacDougall, Cara Delevingne;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: fantasy, action, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,7;
More information about the film “Pan” on the website imdb.com
“A Midsummer Night's Dream”, 1999
Director: Michael Hoffman
This adaptation of Shakespeare's play features the meddling of fairies in the romantic lives of humans. With an ensemble cast, the film weaves together various love stories set against the backdrop of a magical forest.
Starring: Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart, Anna Friel, Christian Bale, Dominic West, David Strathairn, Sophie Marceau;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: fantasy, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “A Midsummer Night's Dream” on the website imdb.com
“Labyrinth”, 1986
Director: Jim Henson
Although not exclusively about fairies, this fantasy film directed by Jim Henson includes a variety of mythical creatures. The story centers on a teenage girl who must navigate a labyrinth to rescue her baby brother from a goblin king, encountering a grumpy dwarf, a beast, and a fairy along the way.
Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson, Christopher Malcolm, Natalie Finland, Shari Weiser, Brian Henson, Ron Mueck, Rob Mills;
Production year: 1986;
Genre: musical, fantasy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Labyrinth” on the website imdb.com
“Thumbelina”, 1994
Director: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman
An animated musical fantasy film based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, which follows the adventures of Thumbelina, a tiny girl born from a flower who meets various fairy tale creatures, including fairies, on her journey to find love and her true identity.
Starring: Gino Conforti, Barbara Cook, Jodi Benson, Will Ryan, June Foray, Kenneth Mars, Gary Imhoff, Joe Lynch, Charo, Danny Mann;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, melodrama, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 86 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Thumbelina” on the website imdb.com
“Epic”, 2013
Director: Chris Wedge
In this animated film, a teenage girl finds herself transported into a secret forest world where she joins a battle between the forces of good, which include an army of fairies and other creatures, and the evil decay that threatens their forest kingdom.
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Colin Farrell, Jason Sudeikis, Aziz Ansari, Chris O'Dowd, Christoph Waltz, Steven Tyler, Beyoncé, Allison Bills;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: animation, fantasy, adventure, comedy, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Epic” on the website imdb.com
“The Fairy”, 1898
Director: –
This French comedy film tells the story of a hotel clerk and a mysterious woman who claims to be a fairy capable of granting wishes, leading to whimsical and unpredictable events.
Starring: -;
Production year: 1898;
Genre: short film, drama;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“Maleficent”, 2014
Director: Robert Stromberg
Starring Angelina Jolie, this film reveals the untold story of Disney's iconic villain from “Sleeping Beauty,” presenting her as a powerful fairy who faces betrayal and ultimately places a curse on the human king’s newborn daughter, Aurora.
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Sam Riley, Isobelle Molloy, Lesley Manville, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, Brenton Thwaites, Kenneth Cranham;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: fantasy, family, melodrama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Maleficent” on the website imdb.com
These films showcase diverse interpretations of fairy lore and the ways in which these ethereal beings are woven into human narratives. From heartwarming family-friendly films to reinterpretations of classic characters, fairies continue to enchant viewers across a variety of genres and storytelling forms.
In conclusion, films about faeries enchant viewers with their magical narratives, intricate worlds, and the complex characters that inhabit them. From ancient folklore to the modern interpretations of these ethereal beings, cinema has consistently found ways to explore and expand upon the mythology of faeries. Whether through the lens of adventure, horror, romance, or fantasy, these films continue to captivate audiences of all ages, inviting them into realms where the boundaries of imagination are limitless. The perennial fascination with faeries speaks to our collective yearning for wonder, the exploration of the unknown, and the understanding of the thin veil that separates our world from the magical. As filmmakers continue to delve into this rich and fertile territory, the legacy of faerie tales in cinema is assured, promising future generations of viewers an ongoing treasure trove of mystical stories that inspire, entertain, and provoke thought.
