As Harry Potter prepares for its much-anticipated return this Christmas in a new series format, fantasy fans have a rare opportunity to revisit — and expand — their love for magical storytelling. Before stepping back into Hogwarts, viewers can explore other enchanted worlds filled with ancient prophecies, hidden kingdoms, mythical creatures and epic battles between light and darkness.
From Middle Earth to Greek mythology, these films and franchises offer the same sense of wonder that made the wizarding world unforgettable. The Times of Bangladesh Entertainment Desk has picked a list of fantasy films and series every fantasy lover should watch before the new Harry Potter journey begins.
The Lord of the Rings – Epic journey through Middle Earth
The Lord of the Rings takes viewers into the vast world of Middle Earth, where a small group sets out on a dangerous mission to destroy a powerful ring. The story blends friendship, courage and dark magic in a grand fantasy setting. Its scale and emotional weight make it a natural choice for fantasy fans who enjoy magical worlds built with detail and depth.
The Chronicles of Narnia – A wardrobe into another world
The Chronicles of Narnia follows children who discover a magical land hidden beyond a wardrobe. They enter a world filled with talking animals, mythical creatures and an ongoing battle between good and evil. The film captures the same sense of wonder and childhood discovery that defines classic fantasy storytelling.
Fantastic Beasts – Return to the wizarding world
Fantastic Beasts expands an already established magical universe and explores a different era of wizarding history. The story follows magizoologist Newt Scamander as he travels through a world filled with magical creatures and hidden dangers. It carries a familiar magical tone while opening new corners of an expanded universe.
Percy Jackson & The Olympians – Gods and hidden destinies
Percy Jackson & The Olympians introduces a teenage boy who discovers he is the son of a Greek god. He enters a world filled with ancient mythology, hidden powers and dangerous quests. The story blends modern life with mythological fantasy, making it appealing for fans of magical coming-of-age adventures.
Stardust – A fallen star and a forbidden kingdom
Stardust follows a young man who enters a hidden magical realm to retrieve a fallen star. The journey quickly turns into a dangerous adventure filled with witches, flying pirates and royal power struggles. The film mixes romance, humour and dark fantasy in a way that feels both playful and mysterious.
The Secret of Kells – A myth inside illuminated art
The Secret of Kells brings Irish mythology to life through a visually striking animated world. It follows a young boy who helps protect a sacred book while facing dark forces beyond the forest. The film uses a unique art style that feels like moving ancient illustrations, creating a dreamlike fantasy experience.
A Monster Calls – When grief becomes a living story
A Monster Calls tells the story of a boy who encounters a giant tree monster that appears during his emotional struggle. The creature visits him through storytelling, guiding him through fear, loss and truth. The film blends fantasy with emotional reality in a deeply symbolic way.
Inkheart – Stories that come alive
Inkheart follows a man who can bring fictional characters into the real world by reading aloud. When a dangerous villain escapes into reality, he must use his ability again to fix the chaos. The story builds a world where imagination literally shapes reality.
The Fall – A story told inside imagination
The Fall unfolds in a hospital where a stuntman tells a young girl an increasingly imaginative fantasy tale. As the story grows, reality and imagination begin to blur. The film delivers visually rich fantasy landscapes built entirely through storytelling.
Pan’s Labyrinth – A dark fairy tale beneath war
Pan’s Labyrinth follows a young girl who discovers a mysterious labyrinth during a brutal wartime period. She meets strange creatures and faces magical trials that may or may not be real. The film blends harsh reality with haunting fantasy in a deeply emotional way.
The Green Knight – A myth reimagined in silence and shadow
The Green Knight tells the story of a young knight who accepts a mysterious challenge from a supernatural figure. His journey across a surreal world tests courage, honour and identity. The film uses slow storytelling and striking visuals to build a dreamlike fantasy tone.
Bright – Magic hidden in modern streets
Bright places fantasy elements inside a modern urban world where humans, orcs and elves live together. A human police officer and his orc partner uncover a dangerous magical weapon. The film mixes crime drama with fantasy mythology in a unique setting.
The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising – A boy chosen by prophecy
This fantasy follows a young boy who discovers he is part of an ancient battle between light and dark forces. As he learns about his destiny, he unlocks hidden abilities tied to an old magical order. The story carries a strong “chosen one” theme familiar to classic wizarding tales.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Modern magic unleashed
This film follows an ordinary young man who gets recruited by a powerful sorcerer to fight dark magical forces in a modern city. He struggles to control his powers while learning the rules of an ancient magical system hidden in the present world.
Eragon – A dragon, a rider and a rising destiny
Eragon tells the story of a farm boy who discovers a dragon egg and becomes part of an ancient order of dragon riders. He enters a world of magic, rebellion and hidden kingdoms while learning to control his growing powers.
Bridge to Terabithia – A secret world of imagination
Two children create an imaginary kingdom that slowly begins to feel real to them. While it looks like childhood fantasy at first, the story carries deep emotional themes and shows how imagination shapes escape and strength.
The Golden Compass – A world of souls and hidden truths
This fantasy follows a young girl who journeys across a parallel world where human souls exist outside the body in animal form. She uncovers a powerful secret tied to authority, science and magic while navigating dangerous forces.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – A school for the extraordinary
A boy discovers a hidden home for children with unusual abilities. Time loops, supernatural powers and mysterious threats shape their world. The film strongly mirrors the “magical school” feeling with its own unique twist.
Fantasy storytelling continues to grow beyond one universe or franchise. These worlds offer their own versions of magic, destiny and adventure. For viewers preparing to return to Hogwarts, these films and stories create the perfect bridge between old memories and new magical journeys.
