Fantasy movies often include heavy exposition and world-building, but that doesn't mean that the stories aren't character-driven or that the performances aren't important. The actors who bring to life the outlandish and otherworldly characters in fantasy projects have the difficult job of disappearing into their roles while being believably part of another universe. Since fantasy is a wide-reaching genre, the kinds of characters written into these projects might be terrifying wizards or relatively normal people with elements of wonder thrown into their characterization. However, a good actor will be able to embody whatever the role calls for.

There's an argument to be made that speculative fiction works better for TV, as there are plenty of amazing fantasy TV shows with satisfying endings and great performances. However, these actors prove that with the right story and characters, films can be the perfect place for a magical narrative. Even when the plot of a fantastical film drifts further from reality, it's the actors who anchor the story and help the audience draw comparisons between the imagined plot and their real lives. Any genre film attempts to bridge this gap and make its sensational story relatable.

10 Warwick Davis - Willow (1988)

As Willow Ufgood

The cult-classic and underrated 1980s fantasy movie Willow stars Warwick Davis as the titular character, Willow, who defines the unlikely hero trope and brings charm and joy to the film. Davis is ed by Val Kilmer, who plays the warrior Martigan, who accompanies the budding wizard, Willow, as he hides a child from an evil sorceress. From there, Willow unfolds in classic fantasy adventure fashion, but Davis elevates the project beyond the traditional narrative and makes the audience truly connect with Willow and his journey.

For some of its campy moments and dated elements, Willow is the kind of fantasy movie that sparks an interest in the genre, along with classics like The Neverending Story or The Dark Crystal.

Willow eventually received a TV series adaptation in 2022, and Davis returned to reprise his role as Willow to great results. Even though some of the initial critical responses toward the original Willow movie were negative, the appraisal of Davis' performance as a highlight of the film was consistent. For some of its campy moments and dated elements, Willow is the kind of fantasy movie that sparks an interest in the genre, along with classics like The Neverending Story or The Dark Crystal.

9 Dev Patel - The Green Knight (2021)

As Gawain

Dev Patel's fantasy epic, The Green Knight, received a divisive response from critics and audiences. However, it's impossible to deny that Patel's work at Gawain is a credit to the legends of King Arthur. The movie adapts a story about Gawain, one of the knights of the Round Table, who journeys to face the Green Knight in combat to prove himself as a fighter and hero. Blending surrealist elements and graphic violence into the narrative, The Green Knight isn't a typical fantasy film, but this is what sets it apart.

In the film, Patel's Gawain is an untested knight who is so concerned with the stories that will be told about him and his legacy that he acts rashly and forgets what's truly important. Gawain goes through significant character development throughout the film, and it takes a skilled actor to embody so many different facets of a character. Thanks to Patel, it's rewarding to see Gawain learn his lessons and understand that he has to take his fate into his own hands and make himself into the person he wants to be.

8 Sergi López - Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

As Captain Vidal

Captain Vidal is a great recent example of how to write and create a terrible but compelling fantasy villain. Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth is a decorated film that's often highlighted for its storytelling and successful translation of the traditional fairytale into a modern metaphor for escapism. Additionally, del Toro has long been in conversation with political movements and the dangers of fascism, so setting the tale in Francoist Spain was a deliberate and effective choice. Sergi López plays the horrible Vidal and fully personifies the rule of dictatorship.

It's a difficult task to play such an irredeemable character, especially since Vidal doesn't lessen his cruelty toward the protagonist, Ofelia, even though she's a child. As he descends into more overt violence, his desperation to hang on to power and subjugate others for his own desire for control becomes all the more clear. López fully commits himself to disappearing into the terrible man onscreen, and his success at this is what makes the stakes of the film feel even more urgent.

7 Helen Mirren - Excalibur (1981)

As Morgana

Excalibur is one of the best King Arthur movies and is a faithful retelling of some of the most famous parts of the legend of Arthur's rise and fall in Camelot. Morgana plays a key role in Arthur's fate, and Helen Mirren is only one of the many legendary actors who are part of the cast of Excalibur. Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart are also featured, but Mirren is easily the highlight of the film thanks to her thunderous performance as Morgana. A sorceress who wishes Arthur ill, Mirren is an expert at playing the anger and cunning of Morgana.

While Arthur is a timeless character, he's too pure of a hero to be the best character in Excalibur, as Morgana gets to be part of the most exciting and fun scenes.

Mirren is terrifying as Morgana, but it's her enduring hate toward Arthur and cruel use of her own son that makes the character so compelling. While Arthur is a timeless character, he's too pure of a hero to be the best character in Excalibur, as Morgana gets to be part of the most exciting and fun scenes. Though audience most associate Mirren with her more recent roles that aren't as intense or physically demanding, Morgana was a key role for Mirren and helped bring her into the fantasy genre.

6 Emma Stone - Poor Things (2023)

As Bella Baxter

Emma Stone took home the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing Bella in Poor Things, her second Best Actress win, and an achievement for her fantastical collaboration with the director, Yorgos Lanthimos. Stone and Lanthimos have partnered on many projects since their first collaboration on The Favourite, but Poor Things is one of the biggest hits for the team. While every actor in Poor Things has to transform to fit into the off-beat and unfamiliar world of the story, Stone had the most pressure riding on her performance.

The entire story rides on Bella and her evolution as a character. Each phase of her journey is defined by what she learns and how it shapes her worldview, and Stone has to fully understand Bella and the way she experiences things in different ways based on where she is in her development. While Poor Things received some commentary about the graphic nature of the movie, Stone gives Bella the agency and intelligence the character requires to justify her position in the story.

5 Michelle Yeoh - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

As Yu Shu Lien

Though Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is first and foremost a thrilling martial arts film, there are also key elements of fantasy blended throughout the narrative that make it a sweeping epic. It's considered part of the wuxia genre. These films encom narratives set in ancient China that hinge on legendary martial artists and touch upon magic and otherworldly abilities in their narratives. Michelle Yeoh plays the brilliant fighter, Yu Shu Lien, who also has a tragic romance with Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) in the story.

Yeoh eventually went on to win Best Actress at the Oscars for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once, which also sees her incorporate her fighting skills into the contemporary action-fantasy film. However, one of Yeoh's most significant works to date is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and she might not have been recognized so fully on an international level without lending her talents to Ang Lee's film. The ability to convey emotion and develop during richly complex action sequences is something only actors as skilled as Yeoh can achieve.

4 Cary Elwes - The Princess Bride (1987)

As Westley

Based on the acclaimed fantasy novel of the same name by William Goldman, The Princess Bride has almost too many great performances to choose just one. However, Cary Elwes' portrayal of the romantic lead Westley is charismatic, hilarious, and deeply romantic, making it one of the best of the film. While Robin Wright has to play her role almost completely straight as Buttercup and Mandy Patinkin can focus his energy on the humor of Inigo Montoya, Elwes has to incorporate both into his performance.

It helps that the script is hilarious and the ensemble cast has incredible chemistry, as Elwes is only made better by the additional performances of the rest of the actors.

Westley is a heartfelt lover, swashbuckling pirate, and comedic performer all rolled into one, and Elwes manages to capture all of this. It helps that the script is hilarious and the ensemble cast has incredible chemistry, as Elwes is only made better by the additional performances of the rest of the actors. To this day, The Princess Bride is ed as a great work of fantasy and comedy that has aged very well, thanks to its timeless humor.

3 Judy Garland - The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

As Dorothy Gale

Judy Garland made her name in the movie musical genre, and The Wizard of Oz is one of the best-known, especially in the niche of fantasy movie musicals. At just sixteen, Garland starred in the smash-hit film as the protagonist, Dorothy Gale, and her life was never the same (via PBS). Though Garland didn't have the happiest life, the way she performed in The Wizard of Oz is so full of youth and light that it's clear why she became such an icon. Even then, her singing voice was incredible and astounded audiences.

Today, viewers haven't forgotten about The Wizard of Oz or Garland. The way she holds her own next to veteran actors of the period and incorporates her trademark melancholy into the performance is what has made the film so enduring. There's genuine emotion and sadness in her portrayal that tugs at the audience's heartstrings and makes it impossible to look away from the movie. Though it isn't the best performance of her career, it's one that transcends genre and is known by most viewers.

2 Julie Andrews - Mary Poppins (1964)

As Mary Poppins

While Julie Andrews has starred in many of the best movie musicals of all time, her work in Mary Poppins is the most memorable role for many audience who grew up watching her. Andrews won Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her performance as Mary Poppins, and it's easy to see why. Though it's a children's movie, Mary Poppins was an innovative and revolutionary movie that only worked because Andrews was such a strong and anchoring presence.

Her winning for Mary Poppins caused a bit of a stir, as she was nominated against Audrey Hepburn, who had been cast over Andrews for the film adaptation of My Fair Lady.

Her winning for Mary Poppins caused a bit of a stir, as she was nominated against Audrey Hepburn, who had been cast over Andrews for the film adaptation of My Fair Lady. This was especially shocking as Andrews originated the role of Eliza on Broadway in My Fair Lady, but she still beat Hepburn for the highest award in the end (via Comic Book Resources). In the end, Andrews playing Mary Poppins over Eliza was the right move for both productions and skyrocketed her to fame.

1 Ian McKellen - The Lord Of The Rings (2001–2003)

As Gandalf

It's difficult to imagine any other actor portraying Gandalf as Ian McKellen does so with the kindness and undeniable power that's inherent to the character. While McKellen does make an appearance in the Hobbit movies, his best work is done in the original trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. Many scenes in the films hinge on McKellen's ability to seem like an otherworldly force that's come down to Middle-Earth to intervene in the fight against Sauron while retaining a crucial humanity.

There are many incredible performances throughout the fantasy series, but McKellen's is undeniable and comes as no surprise considering his long history of great work in film and theater. Heroes like Frodo and Aragorn have the more straightforward job of being good and true in every scene. Conversely, the intelligence and cunning of Gandalf are much harder to translate to the screen while maintaining the almost grandfatherly characterization of the role. However, McKellen has a keen understanding of the original text and his own interpretation of the character.