This article contains mention of violence, sexual situations, and self-harm.
Fantasymovies are often perceived as being for younger audiences, but the best R-rated magical films push beyond this conception. These dark and gritty projects are for older viewers and attempt to connect with this target audience by including more intense writing and performances. Since fantasy is a broad genre,the movies that fall within it can deal with magic, mystical creatures, fairy tales, and additional story elementsthat take audiences to otherworldly places. It’s important within fantasy films that take on dark topics for the worldbuilding to be just as effective as any other addition to the genre.
Movies with an R-rating used to have a harsher reputation before today, as more films and projects fall into this category than ever.
Movies with an R-rating used to have a harsher reputation before today, as more films and projects fall into this category than ever. Plenty oflive-action dark fantasy TV showshave taken the TV sphere by storm, but for a long time, movies were the only place where graphic depictions of sensitive material could exist. A film doesn’t necessarily have to be overly violent or sexual to earn an R-rating, as fear, language, and other elements factor into how it’s rated. However, many films still incorporate these aspects while balancing them with a strong script and moving story.
Underworld
Cast
Underworld is a 2003 action-horror film directed by Len Wiseman. The plot revolves around Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire warrior caught in a centuries-old conflict between vampires and Lycans, a race of werewolves. As she delves deeper into the ongoing war, Selene uncovers hidden truths that challenge her allegiance and perception of both factions. The film features a dark, gothic aesthetic and blends elements of horror and thriller genres.
Kate Beckinsale plays a stone-cold vampire assassin in the cult classicUnderworld, which follows a centuries-old rivalry and hatred between vampires and werewolves. Though it was critically panned at its release in 2003,Underworldstill garnered a few sequels and has carved out a place for itself in the history of vampire stories.One of the most memorable parts ofUnderworldis the cohesive stylization and moody lightingthat lend themselves to the overall atmosphere of the project.
Her fight sequences are well-choreographed, andUnderworldhas enough blood and gore to unsettle even the least squeamish viewer.
Beckinsale’s Selene is the protagonist of the film, and she’s one of the most lethal characters in the story. Her fight sequences are well-choreographed, andUnderworldhas enough blood and gore to unsettle even the least squeamish viewer. The crux ofthe narrative sees Selene meet Michael, a human who turns out to be a vampire-werewolf hybridand the connection that forms between them. After spending so much of her life reviling werewolves, Michael starts to change her mind, and she reexamines her fight.
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79%
7 / 10
8 “Rotten” Action Movies That Became Classics Anyway
Though critics & audiences often differ on the reception of movies, action films can still gain popularity despite negative reviews & low scores.
Constantine
Constantine follows John Constantine, a chain-smoking occult detective who has journeyed to Hell and back. Released in 2005, the film pairs him with a policewoman to investigate her twin sister’s mysterious suicide, taking them into a hidden world of demons and angels in modern Los Angeles.
In one of themovies that defined Keanu Reeves' career,Constantine, Reeves puts a fantastical spin on the action hero character he’s come to embody. Also starring Rachel Weisz and Tilda Swinton,Constantineboasts a strong cast of characters who take on the mysticism of the story with serious and faithful performances.Reeves plays the exorcist Constantine, who can see past the veil to witness angels and demonsdescending to Earth, and he uses his gifts to save people but also to prolong his tragic life.
One of the biggest reasonsConstantinereceived its R-rating is because of how much the narrative revolves around self-harm and suicide. This, accompanied by theimagery of heaven and hell that are prevalent throughout the story,madeConstantinea lightning rod for discussion and criticism. However, over time,Constantinehas been reevaluated, and though some of the visual effects are somewhat dated, they’re still effective in scaring the audience and driving home the movie’s themes.
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Highlander
Connor MacLeod, born in 16th century Scotland, is one of a few immortals who can only be killed by beheading. Now, in 1985, the immortals who have survived their centuries-long secret war meet in New Yor for the “Gathering” to fight for the mysterious “Prize.” It’s up to MacLeod to make sure that the Prize does not fall into the hands of his enemy, Kurgan.
Highlanderrepresents a unique time in movie history for the speculative fiction genre. The 1980s saw an increase in sci-fi and fantasy films as the influx of CGI technology and new visual effects made more experimental ways of filmmaking possible. InHighlander,Christopher Lambert plays an immortal man from 16th-century Scotland, Connor,and the story catches up with him keeping a low profile in present-day New York. Sean Connery joins him as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, another immortal who becomes Connor’s ally after his archnemesis, the Kurgan, tracks him across time.
Chronicling Connor’s journeys throughout the world as he ages,Highlandersees the violence and destruction of many ages through the main character’s eyes.
Like so many older fantasy films,Highlanderis now considered a cult classic,thanks to Connery and Lambert’s great and slightly campy performances. Many of the reasons that critically initially panned the film are why it’s so well-appreciated today, as its unabashedly joyful and outlandish nature makes it fun to watch to the very end. Chronicling Connor’s journeys throughout the world as he ages,Highlandersees the violence and destruction of many ages through the main character’s eyes.
69%
The Crow
The Crow, directed by Alex Proyas, follows Eric Draven, portrayed by Brandon Lee, as he returns from the dead to avenge his and his fiancée’s tragic murders. Set in a moody, atmospheric cityscape, the film blends elements of supernatural and action as Draven seeks retribution against the criminals responsible.
There are manydifferences between the new 2024 adaptation ofThe Crowand the original movie, and all of them point to the fact that the 1994 iteration is better. While the 2024 version might have better and more consistent visual effects,nothing can beat the atmosphere and tone of the first movie, as well as Brandon Lee’s unforgettable performanceas the Crow.The Crowis an early example of a dark twist in the superhero genre, as after Eric is resurrected, he sets off on a brutal path of revenge.
The way the Crow targets his victims and eventually finishes them off is intensely violent and is what setsThe Crowapart from other vigilante narratives likeBatman. Additionally, the story’s fantasy elements come into play as Eric’s transformation into the Crow happens becausehe was tragically killed and is brought back to ease his vengeful soul.Despite his actions, it’s easy to feel deeply for Eric, as he doesn’t deserve his terrible fate, and his enemies are far worse than he is.
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7.5 / 10
The Northman
The Northman is a historical epic released in 2022 that follows Viking Prince Amleth on his quest for vengeance. After witnessing his father’s murder and his mother’s abduction by his uncle, Amleth dedicates his life to rescuing his mother and avenging these betrayals.
The director ofThe Northman, Robert Eggers, is well-known for his unsettling and sweeping epics likeThe WitchandThe Lighthouse, and his latest film is no exception.Deeply in conversation with Norse mythology,The Northmanstars Alexander Skarsgårdas a Viking warrior prince, Amleth, whose uncle usurps the king, which Amleth narrowly escapes, and vows to get vengeance on his uncle. The story follows Amleth’s attempts to reclaim his throne and his learning the truth about his father.
The brutal and gorgeous landscape of northern Europe, where the movie takes place, is a stark background for which the violence and atrocities of the narrative are committed.
The Northmanalso features Anya Taylor-Joy as Olga,Amleth’s love interest, and the pair soon join together to plot against Amleth’s uncle and retake control of the land. The brutal and gorgeous landscape of northern Europe, where the movie takes place, is a stark background for which the violence and atrocities of the narrative are committed. It’s not an uplifting or happy tale, as Amleth is cursed by his own vows of servitude to his father, but as an epic, it will stand the test of time.
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Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow is a supernatural horror thriller by director Tim Burton and Starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. Based on the original tale by Washington Irving, Sleepy Hollow follows constable Ichabod Crane as he is sent to the titular northern New York town to investigate a series of beheadings. However, the scholarly Crane’s foe is a supernatural being that cannot be explained - The Headless Horseman.
Loosely based on the well-known short story,The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Tim Burton put his unique flair on the tale, which stars a young Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. Like most works by Burton,Sleepy Hollowis a supernatural fantasy film with plenty of horror elements, making it a gory addition to the genre.Sleepy Hollowalso includes elements of crime and thriller stories, as it’s up to Ichabod Crane to deduce who controls the Headless Horseman and get to the bottom of a conspiracy.
Visually, the film is the perfect thing to watch during the fall to get into the mood for Halloween,as it’s scary but has enough intriguing elements that it’s not pure horror. Though it strays from the source material,Sleepy Hollowstands apart as its own project, even if its characters are a little underdeveloped. For some of the movie, the audience can’t be sure if the terrifying ghost of the Headless Horseman is real or a figment of the town’s imagination, but Burton makes sure to immerse the viewer in the supernatural world before long.
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7.3 / 10
Hellboy
Hellboy is a 2004 film directed by Guillermo del Toro, featuring Ron Perlman as the titular character. Rescued by Allied forces during World War II, Hellboy is a demon who grows up to combat dark supernatural forces as an agent for the Bureau of Paranormal Research & Defense alongside allies Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman.
There are quite a few masterworks of dark fantasy on this list directed by Guillermo del Toro, and each demonstrates why the prolific filmmaker has become inextricably linked to the genre. Ron Perlman transforms into Hellboy, AKA Abe, donning prosthetics and costumes that make him almost unrecognizable. Based on the comic series of the same name,Hellboy,the movie follows Hellboy’s transformation into an unlikely superherothanks to his incredible strength and otherworldly powers.
Critics and audiences quickly realized thatHellboywas something special and pushed the fantasy genre further in dealing with the darkest parts of human history.
Hellboyhas gone on to become an expansive universe that includes multiple moviesand has become a staple of the dark fantasy genre. Critics and audiences quickly realized thatHellboywas something special and pushed the fantasy genre further in dealing with the darkest parts of human history. The movie’s dedication to using lots of practical effects has helped it stand the test of time, and leaning into its more graphic and explicit elements has introduced decades of older audiences to an exciting iteration of the superhero film.
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6.8 / 10
The Green Knight
An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in a more profound journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger.
Dev Patel’s underrated fantasy drama,The Green Knight, is an exciting addition to the canon of tales and fables about the legendary King Arthur. However,the film is a twist on the well-known story as it follows Gawain, a knight of the Round Table, as he undergoes the challenge of the titular Green Knight. Thirsting for fame and glory, Gawain accepts the challenge of the Green Knight, unaware that the cost of his notoriety will later be his life.
In his search for the Green Knight and his church, Gawain learns a lot about himself and about the true meaning of bravery and sacrifice.The Green Knightincorporates some surrealist elements into the storyand the look of the project, making it difficult for the audience to determine what’s real and what’s a figment of Gawain’s imagination. This allows the movie to incorporate violent and intense scenes, making the world of King Arthur feel more rooted in reality than ever before.
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6.6 / 10
Every King Arthur Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
The Arthurian legend infused with magic and mysticism remains a popular choice for filmmakers to adapt, but which King Arthur movie ranks best?
The Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water is set in Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, and follows Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a shy, mute woman who works as a custodian at a secure government facility. While at her job, Elisa meets and falls in love with a human-amphibian hybrid man, who is being held and experimented on at the facility by the evil Colonel Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon). Risking her life and the lives of her friends, Elisa hatches a plan to help her amphibian lover escape, pursued by Strickland and his forces in the government.
It might not seem likely that a story about the romance between a woman and a humanoid fish creature would win Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards, butThe Shape of Wateris much more than meets the eye. Directed by del Toro,The Shape of Wateris one of his most romantic works to dateand is true to the stunning visuals and tragic tone he’s known for. Set during the Cold War,The Shape of Waterdeals with how people faced the repression of self-expression and sexuality that was rampant during this time.
Elisa and the Amphibian Man instantly form a connection due to their shared feelings of being outsiders and being ostracized by others.
Sexual scenes and moments of graphic violence contribute toThe Shape of Watergetting an R-rating, butthe movie is most concerned with its tender love storyabove all else. Elisa and the Amphibian Man instantly form a connection due to their shared feelings of being outsiders and being ostracized by others. Though the fantasy element puts an extreme twist on this, it’s still relatable for audiences and makes it easy to root for the pair to escape their stifling circumstances.
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Pan’s Labyrinth
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth follows Ofelia, a ten-year-old girl living in 1940s Spain who learns she is actually a long-lost fairy princess. With the help of a faun, she is set a series of tasks to complete in order to return to her true home in the fairy underworld. Ivana Baquero stars as Ofelia, with Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, and Doug Jones making up the rest of the main cast.
Perhaps the greatest fantasy movie of the 20th century,Pan’s Labyrinthisn’t a fairytale for children, as the magical aspects of Ofelia’s quest aren’t the only frightening elements of the story. Set in Spain in the summer of 1944,much ofPan’s Labyrinthis explicitly about the Spanish Maquis revolutionarieswho were fighting against fascism during this period. Though Ofelia, the protagonist, is young, she comes to understand the villainy at work through the violence committed against the Maquis and the evil of her stepfather, Captain Vidal.
Much of the darkness inPan’s Labyrinthcomes from Vidal and the horrible crimes he commits against the people who oppose him. The violence shown onscreen is part of what gives the film its rating, as well as the fear factor, as the supernatural moments get terrifying. In the sequencewhen the Pale Man chases Ofelia, it’s impossible not to be scared.Themovie themes inPan’s Labyrinthare in conversation with much of del Toro’s other work, which grapples with howfantasyand storytelling reflect the problems of the outside world.
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8.2 / 10
