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2024 is nearly over, and while this year saw the release of many brilliant movies, in this article, we are only discussing the best fantasy movies that came out. Fantasy is one of those genres that invokes something magical in all of us, from the heroic journey in The Lord of the Rings films to the coming-of-age fantastical story in Harry Potter, and maybe that’s why this genre has one of the most loyal fan bases. So, let’s find out which fantasy movies released in 2024 were the absolute best.

If Credit – Paramount Pictures

If is a fantasy comedy film written and directed by John Krasinski. The 2024 film follows Bea, a young girl who discovers she can see imaginary friends of other people. She soon sets out on a magical adventure to find human kids to pair them with forgotten imaginary friends.

“Doesn’t everyone have something they’re not proud of?” This question, asked by the eldest sister Tsunako in the new trailer for Asura, sets the tone for a series that dives into family secrets and personal struggles. The Japanese drama remake, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, will premiere on January 9 and promises to engage audiences with its powerful story and talented cast.

The main cast includes Jun Kunimura as the sisters’ father Kotaro, Keiko Matsuzaka as their mother Fuji, and Masahiro Motoki as Makiko’s (Machiko Ono) husband Takao. Ryuhei Matsuda plays Katsumata, a private investigator who has feelings for Takiko (Yu Aoi).

Kisetsu Fujiwara appears as Sakiko’s (Suzu Hirose) boxer boyfriend Hide, while Seiyo Uchino portrays Sadaharu, a restaurant owner secretly involved with Tsunako (Rie Miyazawa). These supporting characters shine alongside the four sisters, building excitement for their on-screen dynamics.

Other notable roles include Yui Natsukawa as the wife of Tsunako’s lover,...

The Imaginary has beautiful animation and characters, but falls short with a weak script and lackluster storytelling. Studio Ponoc struggles to break away from Studio Ghibli connections, hindering originality. Despite stunning visuals, The Imaginary lacks depth, with a slow narrative and an underdeveloped villain.

The Imaginary comes from an incredibly talented team of creatives, but fails to spark the imagination. While the animation and storytelling appear very similar to the renowned Studio Ghibli movies, The Imaginary has an ambitious premise that is severely let down by a weak script and looser story threads. Yes, it is beautiful, and there is potential for some of the meaning to be lost in translation, but Studio Ponoc's second attempt to deliver a feature-length animated movie is a far cry from Spirited Away.

The Imaginary (2024)

Director Yoshiyuki MomoseRelease Date July 5, 2024Writers Yoshiaki Nishimura, A.F. HarroldCast Issey Ogata, Kokoro Terada, Atsuko Takahata, Riisa Naka, Rio Suzuki,...

"Humans forget us. There's no getting around that. There is but little time for you." Studio Ponoc in Japan has unveiled an official trailer for their latest fantasy adventure movie called The Imaginary, their second feature after Mary and the Witch's Flower previously (and the anthology project Modest Heroes). Based on the novel "The Imaginary" by A.F. Harrold, this was originally set to release in 2022 - we featured the first teaser trailer back in 2021. After being delayed for a few years, it's now set for open in Japan in December 2023, and sometime in 2024 for the rest of the world. An imaginary friend must return to his creator before he is forgotten or captured by an evil man who can see imaginary friends. "Can a boy who isn't there survive without a friend to dream him up?" The main Japanese voice cast includes Kokoro Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Ando, Riisa Naka,...

One of the prestigious national cinema awards in Japan presented by the Association of Tokyo Film Journalists, the 65th edition of the Blue Ribbon Awards announced its winners on February 24, 2023. The nominees are selected from movies released in 2022 within the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Leading with 6 nominations, A Man by Kei Ishikawa, wins Best Film while Plan 75 by Chie Hayakawa picks up Best Director and Best Actress for Chieko Baisho. The full list of winners is described below.

Best Film

A Man

Kingdom 2: To Distant Lands

Small, Slow But Steady

Missing

Silent Parade

Dr Coto’s Clinic

Plan 75

Motherhood

Fragments of the Last Will

Wandering

A Man Best Director

Kei Ishikawa – A Man

Shinzo Katayama – Missing

Takahisa Zeze – Tombi: Father and Son; Fragments of the Last Will

Chie Hayakawa – Plan 75

Ryuichi Hiroki – 2 Women, Motherhood; Phases of the Moon

Best Actor

Sadao Abe – Lesson in Murder; I am...

All eponymous women in Nobuteru Uchida’s fifth feature film are broken. They are not just broken, they are either devastated, oppressed, depressed, hysterical or monstrous. They are gathered under the collective noun “women”, defined and described by a man.

There is a lot of pathos to deal with in this Moscow International Film Festival main competition drama: theft and betrayal, psychological terror, a grueling parent, suicide, arrest, bullying, the pouring rain – it’s all there, set against the backdrop of the first Covid-19 outbreak in Japan, and to the melodramatic score composed by Kazune Tanaka. Instead of tissues, a cheese grater is required.

After failing to find a job upon graduating from the university of Tokyo, Misaki (Yukiko Shinohara) is stuck in her rural hometown with her handicapped mother Mitsuko (Atsuko Takahata). She endures a horrendous day-to-day abuse by the parent who maybe suffered a stroke which did impair her mobility,...

The Tale Of Princess Kaguya Gkids Reviewed for Shockya by Harvey Karten. Data-based on Rotten Tomatoes. Grade:    B+ Director:  Isao Takahata Screenwriter:  Isao Takahata Cast:  Dubbed version: Chloë Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Darren Criss, Lucy Liu, Beau Bridges, James Marsden, Oliver Platt, Dean Cain. Subtitled version: Aki Asakura, Kengo Kora, Takeo Chii, Nobuko Miyamoto, Atsuko Takahata, Tomoko Tabata, Tatekawa, Takaya Kamikawa, Hikaru Ijuin, Ryudo Uzaki, Nakamura Shichinosuke II, Isao Hashizume, Yukiji Asaoka, Tatsuya Nakadai Screened at:  Review 2, NYC, 10/14/15 Opens:  October 17, 2014 If your high school World History course was like mine, you spent a little time on Greece and Rome, another few weeks on medieval  [ Read More ]

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