Nearly seven years after it was first scheduled to be released, The King’s Daughter is set to arrive in theaters worldwide on January 21. Set in 17th century France during the reign of King Louis XIV (Pierce Brosnan), The King’s Daughter follows the story of Marie-Josephe (Kaya Scodelario) as she navigates the hazards and romances of court life. Befriending a captive mermaid (Fan Bingbing), Marie-Josephe finds herself an ally in her new life away from the convent where she grew up. But in the king’s court, danger lurks around every corner.
These themes of fantastic creatures, romance, and chivalry are nothing new in the world of film. Those who loved The King's Daughter and enjoy films like it should check out these fantasy films, which are sure to impress.
10 Stardust (2007)
Adapted from the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, Stardust is a modern take on fairy tales full of adventure, love, and mortal peril. When everyday boy Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox) crosses the Wall that separates the real world from the fairy world, he finds a fallen star named Yvaine (Claire Danes).
The problem is, every villain in the land is also on the hunt for Yvaine, including a set of devious princes hoping to inherit their father’s throne, as well as the diabolical witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer). A tale of young love, heroism, and coming of age, Stardust is just one of the many amazing film adaptations of Gaiman's works.
9 The BFG (2016)
Steven Spielberg’s The BFG, or Big Friendly Giant, is great children’s film that mixes elements of the real world with the fantastical, based on the book by Roald Dahl. After a young girl named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is whisked away to Giant Country by, that's right, a big friendly giant, she finds herself amidst a crowd of much less friendly, man-eating giants.
A tale of friendship between two very dissimilar companions, The BFG underperformed at the box office. However, that doesn’t mean this cute, heartwarming film isn’t worth a watch, especially for the kids.
8 Marie Antoinette (2006)
While Marie Antoinette isn’t a fantasy film, this brilliant historical drama is set in the exact same place as The King’s Daughter: the palace of Versailles. Set just before the French Revolution about 100 years after The King’s Daughter, Marie Antoinette tells the story of its titular character, this time from her own perspective.
Director Sophia Coppola subverts what audiences may know about this famous queen, bringing a newfound depth to the person most people only recognize for the line, “Let them eat cake.” Rocking giant powdered wigs, the film’s cast sometimes went to extreme measures in the name of art, even inducing labor in order to fly to Paris.
7 Maleficent (2014)
Many Disney fans will have seen Sleeping Beauty growing up, but while Maleficent shares a similar plot to the 1959 animated film, the 2014 movie — told from the viewpoint of the original’s villain — brings loads more to the table. The film fans thought they knew is turned upside down, with some significant changes being made between Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent.
On top of a solid revamp to the story, Angelina Jolie brings some major star power to the cast with her haunting portrayal of a much more complex version of Maleficent. It shows sides of the character's personality that have never been seen before.
6 Peter Pan (2003)
Another live-action take on a classic fantasy story, Peter Pan isn’t a remake of the animated Disney film. Rather, it’s a fresh retelling of the children’s book by J.M. Barrie. All the best characters are still here, from Captain Hook and Tinkerbell to Peter and Wendy (and yes, the crocodile is there, too).
Set in Neverland, where Victorian Britain and a world of fantasy collide, Peter Pan even features a group of mermaids, which unlike the kind and benevolent mermaid in The King’s Daughter, are “dark creatures, in touch with all things mysterious.” Fans of the Disney film, as well as admirers of ye olde England, will surely enjoy each second of Peter Pan’s 113-minute run.
5 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (2005)
C.S. Lewis’ bestseller comes to life in this most recent film adaptation by Andrew Adamson. When four siblings wander into a wardrobe on an old English estate, they find themselves in the magical land of Narnia, where the evil White Witch Jadis (Tilda Swinton) has created a perpetual winter.
With lots of talking animals, mythical beings, and magic, it makes for a great kids movie. And if the first one impresses, there are two more films in the series for fans to enjoy. All the Narnia films feature a great balance of action, adventure, and suspense.
4 Enchanted (2007)
Disney’s modern fairy tale, Enchanted, answers a great question no one was really asking: what happens when a Disney princess and her Prince Charming are dropped into real-world New York? A comedic marvel, Enchanted is full of crazy hijinks thanks to Prince Edward’s (James Marsden) and his chipmunk Pip’s rambling escapade through the streets of the Big Apple.
All the while, a wholesome romance develops between the film’s fairy tale protagonist Giselle (Amy Adams) and the real-world Robert, played by Hollywood heart-throb Patrick Dempsey. Enchanted has got it all: comedy, romance, action, and glamour. It makes for a great watch for both kids and adults.
3 Alice In Wonderland (2010)
Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland may not be a perfect film, but its breathtaking, staggering vision makes up for much of this. A delightfully weird movie, Alice takes audiences back down the rabbit hole, this time with an adult Alice (Mia Wasikowska).
Along with the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), Alice must save the Underland from the tyranny of the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and the terrifying Jabberwocky, a twisted, dragon-like creature. Epic battles, nightmarish creatures, and a reality-defying world await, but in the meantime, fans can learn more about the Red Queen’s nemesis, the White Queen.
2 Ella Enchanted (2004)
Not to be confused with Enchanted, Ella Enchanted (based on the novel by Gail Carson Levine) stars Anne Hathaway as the independent and witty Ella of Frell. As a baby, Ella was given the “gift” of obedience — which turns out to be more of a curse — by a fairy.
Forced to do whatever anyone tells her despite her own desires, the magic spell sets the stage for comedy galore. While the film might come across as a bit cheesy, this romantic comedy (yes, there is a handsome prince in this one, too) has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Full of ridiculous characters, memorable one-liners, and medieval shenanigans, Ella Enchanted is a movie that shouldn’t be shelved any time soon.
1 The Princess Bride (1987)
Scoring an impressive 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Princess Bride is a timeless classic beloved by many. Those who have never before seen the tale of Westley the Dread Pirate Roberts (Cary Elwes), Buttercup (Robin Wright), Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), and the “inconceivable” Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), are in for a treat.
This rambling tale of love, adventure, friendship, and revenge pits good against evil, love against hate. Despite its age, The Princess Bride tells a tale worth remembering, full of iconic scenes, driven characters, and wholesome motives. Even for those who have seen the film before, there are always facts and trivia that might be new even to fans.
The King’s Daughter is rated PG and releases in theaters on January 21, 2022.