If you love the magic of fantasy and the adrenaline rush of action-packed thrillers, then you’re in for a treat. Fantasy action thrillers combine the best of both worlds — spellbinding adventures, mythical creatures, and powerful heroes, all wrapped up in intense, fast-paced stories that keep you hooked. From epic battles between good and evil to dark mysteries unfolding in a magical realm, these movies promise edge-of-the-seat excitement. Here’s a list of must-watch fantasy action thrillers that will transport you to worlds where danger and wonder go hand in hand.
7 must-watch fantasy action thrillers (movies) that will transport you to thrilling worlds; on JioHotstar, Netflix and more
1. Night at the Museum – JioHotstar
Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), a down-on-his-luck dreamer, takes a night security job at New York’s American Museum of Natural History. However, he is in for a shocking surprise when he learns that the exhibits come to life after dark, thanks to a magical Egyptian tablet. As the museum descends into nightly chaos, Larry must figure out how to control the madness, protect the secret, and win back his son’s respect. The movie boasts awesome performances from a star-studded cast comprising the late Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Rami Malek, Steve Coogan, the later Richard Wayne Van Dyke, and Carla Gugino, among others. The movie spawned two sequels and an animated series.
2. Bright (2017) – Netflix
Set in an alternate present-day Los Angeles where humans coexist with orcs, elves, and other magical creatures, Bright follows LAPD officer Daryl Ward (a human, played by Will Smith) and his reluctant partner Nick Jakoby (the first orc police officer, played by Joel Edgerton). One night, they stumble upon a young elf, a powerful magic wand, and a prophecy that could alter the fate of the world. As corrupt cops, criminal gangs, and dark forces converge, Ward and Jakoby must protect the elf and the wand while facing their own prejudices and doubts. The movie is a rare blend of police procedural, fantasy lore, and hard-hitting action.
3. The Golden Compass – JioHotstar
In a parallel universe where people’s souls exist outside their bodies as animal companions called daemons, young Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue her kidnapped friend. Along the way, she uncovers a sinister plot involving the powerful ruling group known as the Magisterium, a mysterious substance called Dust, and experiments on children. With the help of an armoured polar bear, a witch queen, and an aeronaut, Lyra races to uncover hidden truths that could reshape the fate of her world. The movie features a stellar cast including Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Ian McKellen, and Sam Elliott.
4. Bimbisara – Zee5
King Bimbisara, a fierce and ruthless ruler from the 5th century BCE, is mysteriously transported to the modern world through a magical mirror. In present-day Hyderabad, he must traverse through a society and an era completely alien to him while being hunted by those who want to harness the secrets of time travel for their own gain. As he discovers a conspiracy and grapples with redemption, Bimbisara finds a chance to rewrite his legacy – and fight a new kind of battle in a new world. Bimbisara stands out for blending historical fiction with high-concept fantasy and slick modern action.
5. Snow White and the Huntsman – Netflix
In this dark fantasy retelling of the classic Snow White story, the evil Queen Ravenna draws her power from draining the lives of young women. But there’s one threat to her immortality – her stepdaughter, Snow White. After escaping the Queen’s clutches, Snow White is hunted down by a drunken, grieving warrior who is forced to track her. Called the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth)Instead, he becomes her protector. Together, they team up with allies, including a band of dwarves, and lead a rebellion to take back the kingdom from Ravenna’s tyrannical rule. This isn’t your Disney-style Snow White — it’s a gritty, darker version where the fantasy is shadowy and the action is raw.
6. Teddy (2021) – JioHotstar
Shiva (Arya), a brilliant man with an eidetic memory and OCD, leads a solitary life until a bizarre turn of events pulls him into a medical crime conspiracy. A young woman, Srividya (Sayyeshaa), falls into a coma after a mysterious accident. Her consciousness, however, ends up inside a teddy bear, which escapes from a hospital and seeks Shiva’s help. As Shiva uncovers a dangerous human trafficking and organ transplant racket, he teams up with the talking teddy bear to save Srividya’s body and her soul. The movie blends an emotional story with slick action and an offbeat fantasy premise.
7. Mortal Kombat (2021) – Amazon Prime Video
MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan) discovers he’s part of an ancient prophecy tied to a supernatural tournament known as Mortal Kombat. With Earthrealm’s fate hanging in the balance, Cole joins forces with warriors like Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Jax (Mehcad Brooks), and Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) to train under the thunder god Raiden (Tadanobu Asano). Together, they must face deadly champions from Outworld led by the soul-stealing sorcerer Shang Tsung (Chin Han). Central to the conflict is the blood feud between Scorpion and Sub-Zero, two legendary ninjas whose rivalry fuels much of the movie’s emotion and spectacle.
