The Fantasy Film

The Fantasy Film provides a clear and compelling overview of this revitalized and explosively popular film genre. Often overlooked by scholars who feel it unworthy of serious consideration, the fantasy genre is also troubled by the difficulty of classifying films that often bear little resemblance to one another and that straddle related genres like horror and science fiction. The recent success of Hollywood blockbuster and independent films alike has sparked critical interest in the fantasy film and re-invigorated discussions of its unique generic qualities. Providing in-depth historical and critical overviews, The Fantasy Film explores the boundaries of fantasy throughout history and the expansion of this important genre in contemporary film. Covering early classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Harvey, recent entries like Spider-Man and Shrek, and blockbuster series such as The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, this clear and definitive introduction is the ideal companion for film students and scholars alike.