The Best Live Action Kids Fantasy Movies

Updated November 26, 2019 8.6k votes 669 voters 15.4k views28 items

There's something especially magical about fantasy movies for kids. They spark young viewers' imaginations and encourage them to follow their hearts. The best kids live action movies feature young actors and actresses heading out into a world of adventure. This is a list of the greatest children's live action fantasy movies including everything from The Chronicles of Narnia to The NeverEnding Story to Hook.

What films will you find on this list of the best kids fantasy movies? In the 1971 musical Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Gene Wilder steals every scene he's in as the whimsical candy-maker. Johnny Depp put his own spin on the classic Roald Dahl story in 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Goonies features a misfit gang of kids going up against some villainous characters. Other great films featured here include Flight of the Navigator, Where the Wild Things Are, and Casper.

It's up to you to decide which movie deserves the top spot on the list. Give your favorites a thumbs up and please add any good live action fantasy movies for kids that are missing.

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The Dark Crystal
Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Released: 1982
Directed by: Frank Oz, Jim Henson
The Dark Crystal is a 1982 American–British fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz.... more
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The Goonies
Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin
Released: 1985
Directed by: Richard Donner
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter
Released: 2005
Directed by: Tim Burton
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Matilda
Danny DeVito, Mara Wilson
Released: 1996
Directed by: Danny DeVito
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Where the Wild Things Are
Mark Ruffalo, Forest Whitaker
Released: 2009
Directed by: Spike Jonze
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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Drew Barrymore, Erika Eleniak
Released: 1982
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Liam Neeson, Tilda Swinton
Released: 2005
Directed by: Andrew Adamson
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Short Circuit
Steve Guttenberg, Ally Sheedy
Released: 1986
Directed by: John Badham
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Casper
Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman
Released: 1995
Directed by: Brad Silberling, Phil Nibbelink
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Flight of the Navigator
Sarah Jessica Parker, Paul Reubens
Released: 1986
Directed by: Randal Kleiser
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Dumbo
Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton
Released: 2019
Directed by: Tim Burton
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Beasts of the Southern Wild
Quvenzhané Wallis, Jay Oliver
Released: 2012
Directed by: Benh Zeitlin
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Cinderella
Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter
Released: 2015
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
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Jumanji
Kirsten Dunst, Robin Williams
Released: 1995
Directed by: Joe Johnston
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Hugo
Jude Law, Chloë Grace Moretz
Released: 2011
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
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Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson
Released: 1971
Directed by: Mel Stuart
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The NeverEnding Story
Gerald McRaney, Limahl
Released: 1984
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
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The Indian in the Cupboard
Steve Coogan, Richard Jenkins
Released: 1995
Directed by: Frank Oz
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Hook
Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman
Released: 1991
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe
Released: 2011
Directed by: David Yates
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Hocus Pocus
Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler
Released: 1993
Directed by: Kenny Ortega
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The Spiderwick Chronicles
Nick Nolte, Seth Rogen
Released: 2008
Directed by: Mark Waters
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Bridge to Terabithia
Zooey Deschanel, Josh Hutchersonm
Released: 2007
Directed by: Gábor Csupó
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Labyrinth
Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie
Released: 1986
Directed by: Jim Henson
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Charlotte's Web
Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey
Released: 2006
Directed by: Gary Winick
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