The Dark Fantasy Films subgenre typically resides within the Fantasy, Horror and Drama Genres. Due to the number of Dark Fantasy Films over the last 5 decades, we created lists of Top Dark Fantasy Films occurring during different time periods:
- Top Dark Fantasy Film You Haven’t Seen 1970 – 1989
- Top Dark Fantasy Film You Haven’t Seen 1990 – 2009
- Top Dark Fantasy Film You Haven’t Seen 2010 – 2022
Films in the Dark Fantasy subgenre often feature other subgenres and microgenres including Films About Vampires, Films About Werewolves, Films About The Occult & Witches, Films About Psychic Powers, Films About The Paranormal, Hauntings and Ghosts, Films About Mythology, Films About Folk Horror and Films About Gothic Horror.
Prior to 1970, there were a few classic and notable films of the Dark Fantasy subgenre including Dracula (1931), Viy (1967), Kuroneko (1968) and Witchfinder General (1968). In the 1970’s, the subgenre saw an increase in Dark Fantasy releases though the subgenre had yet to find mainstream popularity. Subgenre classics from the 1970’s included Watership Down (1978) and Dracula (1979). Other notable subgenre films of the decade included Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970), Neither the Sea Nor the Sand (1972) and Ganja & Hess (1973).
In the 1980’s, the Dark Fantasy subgenre exploded in popularity with Vampires and Werewolves and subgenre themes featuring the Paranormal & Supernatural, the Devil & Hell and Psychic Powers featuring Dark Fantasy elements. Dark Fantasy films featuring Vampires included The Hunger (1983), The Keep (1983), Vamp (1986), The Lost Boys (1987), The Monster Squad (1987), Near Dark (1987) and The Lair of the White Worm (1988).
Werewolf films also gained in popularity and directly contributed to the rise of Dark Fantasy films in the decade. An American Werewolf in London (1982), The Company of Wolves (1984) and Silver Bullet (1985) were all classic films of both subgenres. In addition, though Cat People (1982) was technically not a Werewolf film, it utilized many Werewolf-like themes and embraced Dark Fantasy elements.
The Paranormal and Supernatural were featured in notable Dark Fantasy films Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983), The Kiss (1988) and The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988). Devils and Demons in the Dark Fantasy realm included Born of Fire (1987), Hellraiser (1987) and Pumpkinhead (1988). And classic Psychic Powers-themed Dark Fantasy films included Scanners (1981) and The Dead Zone (1983).
Other notable and classic films of the subgenre during the 1980’s included Litan (1982), Q (1982), Videodrome (1983), Rock & Rule (1983), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Troll (1986), Rawhead Rex (1986), Gandahar (1987), Alice (1988), Scrooged (1988), Celia (1989) and Santa Sangre (1989).
Our list of Dark Fantasy Films includes over 284+ films from 1931 – 2022. Our list primarily includes Dark Fantasy films in the Horror, Fantasy and Drama genres.
Classic, must-see Dark Fantasy Films from 1970 – 1989: Watership Down (1978), Scanners (1981), An American Werewolf in London (1982), Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983), The Dead Zone (1983), The Company of Wolves (1984), Hellraiser (1987), The Lost Boys (1987), Near Dark (1987), The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) and Scrooged (1988).
Lesser-known Dark Fantasy Films from 1970 – 1989 that didn’t make our list: Ganja & Hess (1973), Mystics in Bali (1981), Rock & Rule (1983), Dreamchild (1985), The Peanut Butter Solution (1985) and Poison for the Fairies (1986).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Dark Fantasy Films You Haven’t Seen from 1970 – 1989 and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Plot: Troubled wife meets a lighthouse keeper, and they escape together to Scotland. He dies but soon comes back from the sea…
KBZ’s Take: More of a romance thriller/horror story, there are still plenty of dark fantasy elements in this film to appreciate by fans of the subgenre. Though the first half of the film plays up the romantic elements, it’s the second half that turns very dark as the undead ‘lover’ returns. While the film itself is ultimately a love story, it still has some very creepy moments.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3ugWC8s
#9
Alice
Plot: Surreal adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic book, Alice in Wonderland.
KBZ’s Take: This is a version of Alice in Wonderland you do not want children to see or it will give them nightmares. While the film is not scary (in the horror sense), it has enough disturbing imagery to make even adults squeamish. All the characters from the novel that Alice interacts with utilize stop motion animation which gives it a darker feel and tone – especially the rabbit. Though this is a film from Czechoslovakia, there’s barely any dialogue in the film and you can watch along visually. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you…
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3ORSFk8
#8
Litan
Plot: A couple arrive in the strange village of Litan during the Festival of the Dead.
KBZ’s Take: This film is like watching a nightmare slowly unfold. While it shares many elements with Survival Horror films, it’s the outright creepy and dark fantasy elements that make it a highly recommended watch. It is a French film, but even if you are averse to subtitles, you can still follow along as it’s basically the couple trying to escape the strange town while surrounded by residents in Festival of the Dead masks.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3iofq2Z
#7
Cat People
Plot: A reunited brother and sister share a family secret – they can turn into jungle cats.
KBZ’s Take: This was a semi-popular film in the early 1980’s and it’s worth seeking out for fans of the subgenre and younger film fans. Though the film isn’t going to win any major awards, it’s a good tale of a woman (Nastassja Kinski) who slowly learns that she and her brother (Malcom McDowell) can turn into black leopards. The film has a Detective / Whodunit feel mixed in with Supernatural elements that makes it worth your time.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3gU3g1p
#6
Born of Fire
Plot: A musician searches for the Master Flautist, a supernatural creature planning to blow up the world.
KBZ’s Take: We’re not sure where to begin with this film. It’s one the first Islamic “Horror” films that is based on the Qur’an and Arabic Mythology. But it also stars English leads with Peter Firth and Suzan Crowley. While the plot is very convoluted and hard to follow at times, you’ll still be engaged by the amazing visuals throughout the film. There are some very strange Dark Fantasy elements in this film that most fans of the subgenre have probably not seen yet. So, we are recommending it for fans of the subgenre only.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3gSlz7e
#5
Celia
Plot: In 1950’s Australia, nine-year-old Celia navigates a plague of rabbits, cruel childhood friends and monstrous creatures stalking her dreams by night.
KBZ’s Take: This Australian film is part Dark Fantasy and part Coming-of-Age Drama. We’re not sure which portions of the film are scarier. The Dark Fantasy elements involve the monsters that Celia sees at night (and eventually in other people). But an argument could be made that the political strife (via communism) impacting the community and children was just as frightening. Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EUYF6Z
#4
The Kiss
Plot: After the death of her mother, a teenage girl is face with bizarre supernatural occurrences when her mother’s estranged sister arrives.
KBZ’s Take: We’re recommending this film for two main reasons – Joanna Pacula and the escalator death scene. Polish actress Joanna Pacula was a popular B-movie icon in the 1980’s and 1990’s starring in films such as Death Before Dishonor (1987), Body Puzzle (1992) and Tombstone (1993). But this is one of her best roles as the possessed, evil sister. Second, this film has some of the most original ‘kills’ you’ll see in any Horror or Dark Fantasy film. Once you see the escalator death scene, you won’t soon forget it.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3itcMcl
#3
The Hunger
Plot: A vampire searches for a cure for her vampire lover whose immortality is wearing off.
KBZ’s Take: If you can make it past the music video stylization of the film (RIP Tony Scott), there’s actually a pretty good story buried underneath. David Bowie’s take on a vampire realizing his end is near helps make the film interesting before the plot devolves into confusion with a muddled back and forth between Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon’s characters. But it’s one of the lesser-known Dark Fantasy and Vampire films that’s worth checking out by fans of the subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Vampires You Haven’t Seen #9
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3itcYs5
#2
The Keep
Plot: Nazis take over an ancient fortress that contains an evil presence.
KBZ’s Take: Upon its release, The Keep was savaged by the critics and was a commercial flop. Based on the F. Paul Wilson novel of the same name, many book readers who were familiar with the tale of Glaeken and Rasalom were also confused by the film. Directed by the great Michael Mann, there were rumors of studio interference which reduced the film from a 210-minute cut down to the theatrical 96-minute cut. However, over time, the film has developed a cult following with many fans petitioning for the full length cut of the film.
We have read the novel, have seen the film and can say it’s one of the best overall horror films out there. It has the Good German (Jürgen Prochnow) against the Evil Nazi (Gabriel Byrne). It has the eternal Good vs. Evil dynamic between Glenn/Glaekan (Scott Glenn) and Rasalom. It has a great performance from Ian McKellen in one of his earlier film performances. The atmosphere in the film is one of the creepiest you’ll find in the subgenre. And the visuals and music create this increasing sense of impending dread with Mann’s usual visual style and the soundtrack from early 80’s synth masters Tangerine Dream.
Our advice is to check out the film. If you like it, read the novel or read the graphic comic that was created by the novel’s author F. Paul Wilson for more insight into the story. Highly recommended film we feel is one of the best of the Dark Fantasy subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top War Horror Films You Haven’t Seen #1
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3UpZLgK
Plot: In a small American town, a diabolical circus arrives, granting wishes for the townsfolk.
KBZ’s Take: Leave it to Disney to create one of the best and darkest Fantasy films of the 1980’s. If you were a child in the early 1980’s, you’ll likely remember your parents taking you to this film thinking it was a ‘kids’ movies. But boy were they wrong. While it’s not ‘scary’ by today’s standards, there are quite a few themes and scenes in this film that will scare children under the age of 12. Based on the Ray Bradbury novel of the same name, the film toes the line between Horror and Fantasy – especially with one of Jonathan Pryce’s best performances as the evil Mr. Dark. If you liked the Stephen King novel and/or film Needful Things, you’ll likely enjoy this film as well. Highly recommend for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B0keSO
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