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Fantasy movies are home to some of the most spectacular action sequences that cinema has ever seen. That's because filmmakers are not just equipped with the classic choreography and traditional weaponry of the typical action genre. They are also given the tools of magic and mythology to play with, as fantasy opens up another realm full of imagination. It is within those action sequences that the very nature of action itself is pulled apart and readdressed as something more.
Fantasy action is often massive in its scale and epic in its encounters. Some of the greatest films of all time have boasted ambitious battles, full of massive armies, tense rivalries, and scenes that depict the absolute delirium of what it means to fight in a world of magic. The selections that have been made here signify a shift in the way fantasy battles are understood. It is not just about their size. It is about their understanding of character and their portrayal of narrative through these sequences.
The Fight in the Woods - Princess Mononoke (1997)
Studio Ghibli's The Fight in the Woods is a sorely overlooked entry in the fantasy pantheon and one of the studio's most thoughtful and spellbinding pieces. With the Iron Town and the forest spirits squaring off against one another, what the fight in the woods reminds its audience of is the true cost of war, even when the battle is fought by god-like beings.
Despite the energy and the fantastical nature of the premise, there is a brutality to this battle that should not be overlooked. With neither side fully presenting themselves as good nor evil, there is a senselessness in the battle that makes viewers feel uncomfortable with the epic nature of the fight. It might be cinematic, but its consequences are severely felt in every hit. Overall, this is a beautiful movie even for those that think they hate anime.
The Battle of the Five Armies – The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
The Hobbit trilogy is not best loved among the fan base. It failed to live up to the expectations of mainstream audiences and didn't do a spectacular job of being able to expand upon the material that Tolkien set out. Nonetheless, Peter Jackson was bold in his portrayal of the Battle of the Five Armies, a conflict that has been discussed among the fans for decades and one that everyone wanted to see.
The movie, aptly titled The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, dedicates a large amount of time to this conflict, allowing it the space to breathe. While there are more personal sequences to dissect, as individual hero moments are given center stage, there are also moments of sheer cinematic scale as fantastical monsters and violent factions clash in all-out warfare. It is frenetic and relies hugely on its size and versatility.
The Final Battle – Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe had been heading towards a very specific point ever since Thanos was introduced as the 'big bad.' It was always obvious that he and his army would pose the final threat for a specific series of phases, and when the oft-contested but flawless Avengers: Endgamecame around, audiences were hopeful they'd finally see the demise of the Mad Titan. But that fight was not without consequences.
The battle might have swelled when those who had previously fallen were brought back into the mix, warriors like Spider-Man and Falcon heroically entering the battlefield. It is also not without its individual moments, with a particularly impressive showcase from Scarlet Witch and Captain Marvel. However, the battle will always be known for Tony Stark's sacrifice and the consequences it would have on the future of the MCU.
The Battle of Black Morass – Warcraft (2016)
Warcraft could be one of the genre's most underrated and underappreciated films, even though it has risen in popularity as of late. Not only was it able to capture the essence of the World of Warcraft games, but it was able to elevate the way that major conflicts were fought. The battle of Black Morass is a prime example of a sequence that benefits greatly from a little cinematic flair.
Involving difficult terrain, portal play, and no shortage of unbelievable short-term strategies, what's incredible about Warcraft's display here is the seamless transition from live-action to CGI creatures, as the lore and mythos of the world are put on full display in the most physical way possible. It's grounded, it's gritty, and it plays host to both the sacred duel and the full-on assault by the army of Stormwind.
The Battle of Hogwarts – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
The Harry Potter saga is one that followed the letter of the novels almost to the word, and while there were a couple of character changes and the like, the lore and the specifics of the narrative remained the same. That meant that, since the seventh novel had been released, readers were attempting to imagine what the Battle of Hogwarts might look like in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2.
The problem with this sequence is that there is simply too much to lose. The characters are just too beloved, and with their plot armor gone, audiences knew that some major losses were about to be experienced. So, while the stakes might be raised, it is the use of magic and the design of the battle itself that should get credit here as the momentum ebbed and flowed from the bridge sequence, all the way to Voldemort's last stand.
The Battle of Beruna – The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe stands alone as the best entry into the Narnia saga thus far. It's an iconic novel, and it is evident upon a rewatch that it was initially intended to work as a standalone piece. That's perhaps why the final sequence of the movie, the climactic battle, had so much put into it. It always felt as if it was the culmination of a much larger franchise, even ahead of the major Netflix reboot.
It's a weighty fight, with the forces of Narnia and the White Queen pushing back against one another in a chaotic field of battle. While there is no shortage of memorable moments as fantasy creatures march through the chaos, there are two defining features of this war. The first is the return of Aslan, a brilliant moment with great emotional levity. The second is the role that the leads themselves play in this fight; a bunch of kids out of their depth but somehow clinging on in the face of insurmountable odds.
The Battle of the Pelennor Fields – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
In all honesty, there are many action sequences from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King that could be called upon in this list. The battle for the Black Gate is certainly one that comes to mind, and it's hard to think of any trilogy finale better than that, but the battle of the Pelennor Fields is also a standout. It's where the Witch-king of Angmar died and the true start of the heroes of the piece finally gaining some new momentum.
The thing that audiences will always remember is Aragorn finally facing up to his fate and starting to take on the burden of being a king. Leading a ghostly army into the fight in a change from the books, it was the last ingredient needed to add real drama to the sequence. Rohan truly stepped up at this moment, and King Théoden of Rohan's death makes the whole ordeal that much more poignant.
The Battle of Helm's Deep – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The greatest battle in The Lord of the Rings trilogy has to be the battle of Helm's Deep, as seen in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. This is a fight that is driven by desperation, Helm's Deep becoming the site of the last stand, as evil forces seek to surround the fortress and lay siege to its defenses. When all seems lost, help arrives just at the last minute.
When Saruman's forces first breach Helm's Deep, panic sets in, with the audience assuming the worst possible fate for these heroes. The fact that the battle is often told from the perspective of the average citizen makes it more heartbreaking. But it is the arrival of the Rohirrim that turns the tide and contributes to one of cinema's most iconic back-and-forth battles.
