10 Epic Fantasy Movies You Probably Haven't Seen

Most epic fantasy films we watch set their stories in European folklore, such as Grimm Brothers' tales and Arthurian legend. With film more accessible than ever, we are now subject to hundreds of great world-cinema releases that tell stories from different perspectives and cultures.

Yeelen - which is Bambara for brightness or light - observes Nianankoro, the son of a wizard, who leaves his home to use and distribute his magic for all. His father, however, has other selfish plans in mind: namely killing Nianankoro before he can share their secrets.

Yeelen is a Malian-made film, and therefore draws from much of the country's history, folklore, and culture. Rather than magic coming from potions and incantations, sorcerers conjure spells through fetishes, magically-imbued objects created by magicians (get your mind out the gutter!).

Despite Yeelen's limited budget, it is shot beautifully and with precision. Director Souleymane Cissé expertly executes sweeping shots of Mali's striking landscape and characters' faces during emotional turmoil. The story does have some peculiar developments along the way, but Yeelen competently leads the film through well-earned emotional beats and a satisfying conclusion.