15 Best Dark Fantasy Movies Of All Time
13. A Monster Calls (2016)
A Monster Calls, from 2016, is one of the more profound and emotionally investing features on this list. The film is directed by J.A. Bayona, who gained recognition from the excellent Spanish ghost story, The Orphanage (2007). A Monster Calls proves that Bayona has a knack for exploring troubled children in a world full of magic and wonder.
The film follows young boy Conor who struggles to deal with the terminal illness of his mother and frequent school bullies. As a coping mechanism, Conor befriends a giant, magical tree that comes to life and promises to tell Conor three stories in the hope that Conor will face his own demons.
A Monster Calls, despite having a present day setting over a Gothic atmosphere, still embodies two important elements of the dark fantasy sub-genre. A young child protagonist who must face his fears amidst danger, and a fantastically grand creature brought to life through excellent art design.
This is a moving and thought provoking film that has a well-deserved 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it unfortunately under performed at the worldwide box office with only $47 million grossed.