The Best Children's Fantasy Movies

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When it comes to children's movies, the best ones are those that can stand not only the test of time, but the aging of their audience. A great fantasy movie shouldn't feel dated, and it shouldn't feel like a children's movie when you watch it later. The best children's fantasy movies are those that are first and foremost great movies.

Harry Potter

Based on the J.K. Rowling book series, the Harry Potter movies are both excellent and visually stunning. The story follows Harry Potter and his friends and their magical mysteries in the wizarding world. After Harry discovers he was born a wizard, he begins exploring the wizarding world, uncovering mysteries along the way. At the magical school of Hogwarts, Harry uncovers dark secrets of the wizarding world he has never been a part of, including the lightning scar on his forehead and the death of his parents by the evil wizard Voldemort. Each movie introduces new conflicts as Harry and his friends attempt to maintain school grades even under magical duress and while playing wizard detective, uncovering mysteries along the way.

Willow is an epic fantasy tale directed by Ron Howard involving magic, warriors and an evil queen sorceress. When a child princess is born she is said to end the evil queen's reign. Naturally the queen wants her dead. The child is sent down the river to hide her from the evil queen where she meets Willow, a farmer and apprentice magician, who must return her safely to her people. Along the way Willow meets Madmartigan, a great swordsman, and together they encounter monsters and magic to return the child to fulfill her prophesy.

For centuries the city of Ember has flourished below ground, an underground city created by scientists to save a select group of survivors from the failing world above. Living in a manufactured city, each child is given a job at random, and must fulfill their role in the city without question. As the city begins shutting down, food is depleting and their generator is dying. Lina, a young descendant of the seventh mayor, uncovers an ancient plan set forth by the original scientists and creators of Ember being covered up by the current and corrupt king. City of ember is one of the few children's movies of the past few years that is as exciting for adults as it is to their children, with a mystery that will leave everyone on the edge of your seats.

The Spy Kids movies, directed by Robert Rodriguez, are a good example of children's films that don't treat their audience like children. The first Spy Kids movie follows the children of two married secret agents. After the parents are kidnapped it is up to their kids to rescue them using special gadgets and spy tools along the way. Being written by Robert Rodriguez, these films do a pleasant job of being humorous and entertaining to both child and adults alike and they do quite well with a preteen audience.