While some may consider Fantasy as a genre to be kids' stuff, some of the greatest films of all time have been one form of fantasy or another. It's an incredibly flexible and inclusive genre, and it doesn't hurt that fantasy films are increasingly high-grossing at the box office. Yet much of that phenomenal popularity often hinges on franchises, and for those who haven't yet been bitten by the fantasy bug, an eight-film saga like Harry Potter doesn't exactly seem like the most accessible starting point.

There are dozens of incredible fantasy films that stand on their own and make for a fantastic introduction to the genre, whether you're looking to find something to show your kids over the holidays or convince your uncle that fantasy films can be masterpieces. And even as an adult, many fantasy films just hit different, bringing an emotional depth that can touch us more...