There is nothing better than cuddling up under a blanket and watching a movie. Bonus points if you have a huge bucket of popcorn. As a huge fantasy book lover, I like to watch adaptations of my favourite fantasy romance books. But fantasy romance movies based on books are so hit and miss.
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I’m compiling a list of fantasy romance movies based on books that are worth watching. If you want a good fantasy romance movie, this list has got you covered. From classic Fairytale adaptations to Shakespeare adaptations and Neil Gaiman, these movies will help you escape to another world.
Romantic Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction. A romantic fantasy movie features a significant romance storyline alongside supernatural or magical elements.
If you're a fan of a TV Show or Movie adaptation then I have a few other posts you might want to check out:
Keep scrolling to find out the best fantasy romance movies based on books
Best Fantasy Romance Movies Based on Books
These are suggestions for movies have already been released. There are some fantastic upcoming adaptations that I'm super excited about. You can check out this post from Booklist queen to see upcoming book adaptations.
1. Princess Bride
What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince of all time and he turns out to be...well...a lot less than the man of her dreams?
The Princess Bride follows Buttercup. She has fallen for farm boy Westley. Westley departs to make his fortune.
But then his ship is captured and her heart is broken. Her charms attract the attention of a prince who will go to any lengths to have Buttercup.
Starring: Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Billy Crystal
Rating: PG
2. Stardust
Stardust is such an underrated movie. It's easily one of the best movies based on a YA Fantasy book. It's beautiful and whimsical with an excellent storyline.
It follows Young Tristarn Thorn. He lives in a rural English village known as wall in the 1800s. A large stone wall separates it from the Faerie land beyond.
He will do anything to win the heart of beautiful Victoria. Even fetch her the star they watch fall from the night sky. But to do so, he must enter the Faerie lands on the other side of the ancient wall.
I'm a huge fan of fantasy movies and stardust is such an underrated adaptation. If you like Stardust then you might want to check out my post on movies based on fantasy movies.
Starring: Sienna Miller, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer
Rating:pg
3. Beastly
You can't beat a good retelling. There are so many good Beauty and The Beast Retellings. And this movie adaptation doesn't disappoint.
Beastly is a contemporary YA Fantasy retelling where you can find out what Beauty and the Beast was like for the Beast.
It follows Kyle Kingsbury and is set in New York City. He was a happy guy with perfect looks, money and the perfect life.
But a witch casts a spell on him. And he becomes a beast. And he will stay that way forever unless he can break the spell
It's set in New York City and follows the Beast. He will still a Beast forever unless he can break a spell the witch cast on him.
Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Mary-Kate Olsen, Alex Pettyfer
Rating: 12A
4. Twilight
I thought I would start with the more popular movie adaptations. I wouldn't be able to write an article on movies based on YA Fantasy books without mentioning paranormal romance Twilight. Whether you love or hate these movies, they were a huge box office success.
Based on the books written by Stephanie Meyer, they follow Bella Swan. She moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father. And she's expecting her life to be dull and ordinary.
She's convinced that Edward Cullen in particular hates her. But she feels a strange attraction to him. Even though he seems determined to push her away.
However Bella soon discovers the true reason for Edward's coldness. He and his family are vampires.
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart
Rating: 12A
5. Divergent
Divergent is wildly popular, successful and slightly ridiculous. It also divides fans a lot and I wasn't sure whether it should be in this post. But it’s also entertaining so I’m including it.
If you enjoy books like the Hunger Games chances are you’ll love this one. In Divergent the world is divided into 5 factions. Each faction is based on a personality trait which that faction embodies – Candor (honesty), Dauntless (bravery), Amity (peaceful), Erudite (intelligent) and abnegation (selfless).
Each sixteen year old must choose a faction. To help them decide, they take a test telling them which faction they belong to. Those who don’t fit into one faction are divergent.
Starring: Shailine Woodley, Kate Winslet, Theo James
Rating: 12A
6. Ella Enchanted
I know this movie is a bit older now. But I had to include Ella Enchanted because it absolutely nailed the movie adaptation. Honestly, this movie adaptation is so good that I sometimes forgot it's even based on a book.
At Birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by a young fairy named Lucinda. She bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, Ella must obey.
When her mother dies, she leaves her in the care of an absent father and a loathsome stepmother. And Ella's life seems to be in grave peril. So Ella sets out on a quest to find Lucina and undo the curse.
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy
Rating: PG
7. Cinderella
If you love fairy tales or historical fantasy movies then this one is for you. Lily James is fantastic in this adaptation of the classic fairy tale.
I feel like everyone is familiar with the classic story of Cinderella. Cinderella is forced to live with her evil stepmother and stepsisters after the death of her father. She cooks and cleans the house for them, earning the name Cinderella.
This is one of the better live action remakes. It's an enchanting remake of the traditional childhood tale full of magic, whimsy and romance.
Starring: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden
Rating: U
8. Beauty and the Beast
In terms of Beauty and The Beast adaptations, I don't think you can top the animated classic. The animations are magical and beautiful.
Beauty and The Beast is a story that most people already know. It follows Belle who lives in a small town in France.
She gives up her freedom to live with The Beast in order to help her father. While at first she is repulsed by his grotesque appearance, she begins to see beyond it.
The original book contains a lot more backstory and more revelations than the original movies. If you're interesting in reading the orignal story then I highly recommend the Barnes and Noble Leatherbound Classic. It's absolutely stunning. You can get the Barnes and Noble Leatherbound Classic on Amazon.
Starring: Robby Benson, Paige O'Hara
Rating: U
9. Howl's Moving Castle
Howl's Moving Castle is a magical fantasy romance based on a young adult movie written by Dianne Wynne Jones.
Sophie has the misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters. And she is destined to fail miserably if she leaves home to seek her fate.
But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell. And it transforms her into an old lady.
Her only chance in breaking the spell lies in a Howl's Moving Castle. But Sophie must handle the heartless Howl. However, on the way she learns that there is a far more to Howl than she first realised.
Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Chieko Baisho
Rating: U
10. A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a 90s adaptation of the classic Shakespeare play of the same name. It's romantic comedy fantasy movie written and directed by Michael Hoffman.
Demetrius and Lysander both want Hermia. But while Hermia only has eyes for Lysander, Hermia's father wants her to pursue Demetrius.
On the outside is Helena who has un unrequited love for Demetrius.
Hermia and Lysander plan to lee but are persued by Demetrius (who is followed by Helena. In the forest, Oberon and Titania (King and Queen of the faeries) are having a spat over a servant boy.
The plot twists up when Oberon's head mischief-maker, Puck, runs loose with a flower which causes people to fall in love with the first thing they see upon waking.
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Stanley Tucci, Rupert Everett, Kevin Kline
Rating: PG
11. The Time Traveller's Wife
I was unsure about wehether to include this book in the list. But it does include time travel. And Rachel McAdams in fantastic in this fantasy romance adaptation.
It's the love story of Clare and Henry. They meet when Clare is six and Henry is thirty Six. They are married when Clare is twenty-two and Henry is thirty.
Impossible but true. Henry suffers from a condition where his genetic clock periodically resets and he finds himself pulled suddenly into his past or future.
Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams
Rating: 12
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