10 Best Dark Fantasy Movies That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Best Dark Fantasy Movies

Sleepy Hollow fans will enjoy a unique type of movies that combine horror, the supernatural, and dark fantasy in novel ways.

In 1999, Tim Burton made a film adaptation of Washing Irving’s classic novel “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” in which Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman are the central characters. Depp plays Crane in Burton’s reimagining of the original work, which is quite close to the original.

When it comes to the original plot, Tim Burton’s adaption is in accordance with his usual style of dark fantasy, whimsy, horror, and supernatural. Sleepy Hollow fans will enjoy a unique type of movies that combine horror, the supernatural, and dark fantasy in novel ways.

1. Crimson Peak (2015)

Crimson Peak (2015)

Following their wedding, a young woman named Mia Wasikowska (played by Mia Wasikowska) moves into the mansion of her new husband, a mysterious but lovable character named Tom Hiddleston. At first she is disturbed by haunting images when she settles into the home but soon discovers that there are terrible secrets to uncover.

Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has created a scary tale that has a similar vibe to Sleepy Hollow, with its gothic backdrop and demonic animals.

2. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Another Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp, Edward Scissorhands, has a fantasy central plot and was directed by Tim Burton. Humans were created by a scientist (Vincent Price) who died before he could complete the project, leaving him with scissors for hands.

After a chance encounter with an Avon representative (Dianne Wiest), Edward is taken in by the family of this newcomer to the suburbs. Depp portrays an outcast character in a fantasy realm, despite the fact that the setting is distinct from Sleepy Hollow.

3. Interview With A Vampire (1994)

Interview With A Vampire (1994)

Lestat (Tom Cruise) turns Brad Pitt (Bradley Cooper) into a vampire in the 18th century and narrates his story to a modern-day biographer (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) in Interview With a Vampire (Christian Slater).

When it comes to the supernatural beings who populate the planet, Interview With A Vampire is akin to Sleepy Hollow.

4. The Witch (2015)

The Witch is a prequel to Sleepy Hollow that takes place roughly a century earlier. As a result of the abduction of her newborn brother, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) is accused of witchcraft and a witch hunt is sparked by the investigation.

Creatively slow-burning, The Witch is an enjoyable viewing for any Sleepy Hollow fan who like period pieces with spooky themes.

5. Snow White And The Huntsman (2012)

Snow White And The Huntsman (2012)

This version of Snow White and the Huntsman is closer to the original tales of the Grimm Brothers, and it’s darker than any Disney version. As the ruler of the realm, Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) is concerned with preserving her beauty and becoming everlasting.

As a means of becoming immortal, she employs Chris Hemsworth, the Huntsman, to track down and kill Snow White (Kristen Stewart). Like Sleepy Hollow, the film features dark fantasy, frightening supernatural monsters, and the plot of hunting.

6. Horns (2013)

Horns, like Sleepy Hollow, is a supernatural thriller that incorporates comedy and romance. Daniel Radcliffe plays a man accused of murdering his girlfriend in the film.

Awakened from a coma with horns and magical powers, he determines to track out the real perpetrator to clear his name and avenge the death of his mother.

7. The Brothers Grimm (2005)

The Brothers Grimm (2005)

Grimm brothers Heath Ledger and Matt Damon con people into believing they are defending them from demons and other supernatural animals in towns across the United States in The Brothers Grimm

In order to rid themselves of the ghouls and other demons they believe to be stalking them, people hire these people. It’s a similar dark supernatural thriller to Sleepy Hollow in that the brothers take on a case to solve the disappearances of multiple girls from the same community.

8. Beetlejuice (1988)

It’s another Tim Burton-directed film with a magical background and ghostly characters that harken back to Sleepy Hollow. In Beetlejuice, Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis play a newly departed couple who are still haunting their house when a new family moves in.

A prominent character in the film is Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), who helps the departed couple navigate the afterlife as they work to terrify the family that has purchased their property.

9. Maleficent (2014)

Maleficent (2014)

For the second time in a few years, a Disney animated character has been darkened in a new film. Maleficent, the evil queen from Sleeping Beauty, is the focus of this live-action adaption, which is still part of the Disney stable.

The villain in the dark fantasy is seen in a more sympathetic light, as she was only trying to preserve her country and her people but was deceived. Sleepy Hollow is a good comparison because of the film’s dark fantasy and the presence of magic.

10. Constantine (2005)

John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) is trapped between the two worlds of fantasy and reality in Constantine, where angels and demons rule the roost.

The only person capable of handling the problem is Constantine, like Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, who hunts demons, just like Crane hunts the Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow.