Fantasy is huge right now, with The Wizard on netflix, rings of power on Prime Video and dragon house being the main vehicles of the genre right now, but what does Netflix have cooking up in the movie department? Here’s a preview of all the fantasy movies Netflix is working on for release in 2023 or beyond.
Our rating for a fantasy film is that it must be set in some fictional universe involving magic, myth, or the supernatural. No doubt some titles will fall more into the realm of science fiction (or even horror) than fantasy, but bear with us!
Alice in Wonderland
Language: English
First announced in October 2020, it’s unclear how far along this musical fantasy adaptation of classic literature is.
set to be called ALICIAthe title comes from Alloy Entertainment’s Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Dutton producing and starring and producing Sabrina Carpenter for their At Last Productions label.
Damsel
Language: English
Netflix favorite Millie Bobby Brown has numerous upcoming projects with the streamer, one of which is the new Dan Mazeau-directed fantasy film Damsel.
Starring Princess Elodie, the film sees her sacrificed to the kingdom’s cave dragon.
Along with Bobby Brown, the film will star Nick Robinson, Angela Bassett, Ray Winstone and Robin Wright.
The movie was filmed throughout 2022 and concluded in the summer. It’s unclear if this will drop in 2023, but since it’s been in post-production for over six months, it’s a good bet.
Dragons Den: The Movie
Language: English
Based on the classic Don Bluth video game, this fantasy adaptation follows Dirk the Daring, a knight who sets out to rescue Princess Daphne from the evil dragon Singe and a wizard named Mordroc.
The last anyone heard about the movie was in November 2022, when Ryan Reynolds said that Netflix was making a decision. big swing with the fantasy movie. That said, it’s unknown where it’s in development or how close we are to seeing it on our screens.
mehrengard
Confirmed for release in 2023
Language: Danish
Read our full preview of Netflix’s Ehrengard.
Bille August will adapt the works of Karen Blixen, which is set in the fairytale kingdom of Babenhausen and follows Cazotte, who is hired by the scheming Grand Duchess to help her secure an heir.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about the project we are looking forward to is that the Queen of Denmark has been recruited to be the set designer on Netflix movie.
escape from the hat
Confirmed launch in 2023 – expected in March 2023
Language: English
Mark Osborne is directing this new fantasy animated feature set for a March 2023 release, according to one of the people working on the project.
The project will follow Leek, a magical rabbit who assembles an unlikely band of allies and embarks on an impossible quest to escape from inside a wizard’s hat and defeat the evil black cats.
god’s country
Language: English
Legendary Entertainment, Aftershock Media and Nightshade Entertainment will be behind this new comic adaptation with Jim Mickle at the helm.
For image comicshere’s what you can expect:
Emmet Quinlan, an elderly widower wracked with dementia, isn’t just a problem for his children: his violent outbursts are more than the local police can handle. When a tornado rips through his home, as well as the surrounding West Texas town, a restored Quinlan rises from the rubble. However, the enchanted sword in the eye of the storm gives him more than a healthy mind and body. He now he is the only man who can stand against the otherworldly creatures the sword has drawn to the Lone Star State…»
There’s no chance this one will be released in 2023, given that we recently learned that the movie wouldn’t even start production until the end of 2023.
Gordon Hemingway and Kingdom of Cthulhu
Language: English
Jonathan Majors is cast to play Gordon Hemingway in this new fantasy film to be directed by Stefon Bristol and produced by Spike Lee.
As of December 2022, there’s no further news on how far along the project is, meaning a 2023 release seems unlikely.
Nimona
Confirmed for release in 2023
Language: English
Based on ND Stevenson’s fantasy graphic novel, this animated adaptation seemed to be in doubt in recent years, and Disney dropped the project.
In 2022, however, it was announced that Netflix would pick up the slack to give the new movie a home.
Here is the official description of the new film that will feature the voices of Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed:
«Nimona is the only person who can help Knight Ballister Boldheart prove his innocence, he is framed for a crime he did not commit.»
Jung_E
Confirmed for release in January 2023
Language: Korean
Originally expected to hit Netflix in 2022, the South Korean sci-fi action-fantasy epic has been delayed but confirmed to release in 2023. While this sits more comfortably in the sci-fi genre, it has fantasy elements that make it worthy of being on this list.
Written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the film is set on an uninhabitable 22nd century Earth where the outcome of a civil war hinges on cloning the brain of an elite soldier to create a mercenary robot.
Masters of the Universe
Language: English
Originally supposed to be released in March 2021, this Sony Pictures movie has finally moved to Netflix, ditching Noah Centineo for Kyle Allen, who will play the role of Prince Adam.
Masters of the Universe It will be directed by Aaron Nee and Adam Nee.
The film is currently not expected to be released until 2024.
kings of the arena
Language: English
Based on George RR Martin’s sci-fi fantasy novel, this adaptation has been in the works for several years and not much has been said since. Collider broke the news in 2021.
Gore Verbinski was originally selected to direct.
the Chronicles of Narnia
Language: English
We’ve had The Chronicles of Narnia on our lists for quite some time now. It’s been over four (long) years since Netflix announced that it would be venturing into the world of Narnia.
Sadly, since then, Netflix has been pretty light on the news about what’s going on. They installed an «architect of the universe» in 2019, but it’s been quiet beyond that. That was until late 2022 when we heard that Netflix was planning two Narnia movies and was even considering Greta Gerwig to direct.
While we don’t expect a Narnia movie to premiere on Netflix in 2023, we should be getting a lot more news than ever before.
The selection
Language: English
Based on the novels by Kiera Cass, this fantasy romance film is being produced by DiNovi Pictures and directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour.
Sadly, since its initial announcement, there has been almost no official word on the project with numerous people involved often posting personal updates saying scripts are still being shipped and being worked on.
Suffice to say we won’t see The selection anytime.
the ugly ones
Coming to Netflix in 2023
Language: English
Read our full preview of the upcoming film here.
Directed by McG, this fantasy action film is set in a world where a mandatory operation eliminates physical differences and beautifies everyone.
Joey King leads the cast of the film, based on the novel by Scott Westerfeld.
Let’s complete this list with some more fantasy projects in development on Netflix:
- suck – Jonas Cuarón was tapped in 2020 to direct an untitled feature film for Netflix with Chris Columbus producing 26th Street Pictures.
- Beyond Good and Evil – Adaptation of the Ubisoft game by director Rob Letterman.
- I chihuahua – Animated feature film by Jorge R. Gutiérrez.
- pashmina – Gurinder Chadha directs this animated feature about an Indian-American girl who rediscovers her heritage through her magical pashmina.
- Scarlet – Alice Waddington selected to direct this fantasy drama produced by Jason Bateman.
- Untitled Jason Bateman/John Cena/Netflix Project – Comedy fantasy about a family that gets trapped in an old abandoned movie studio that comes to life. John Cena stars.
Are you excited for any of these fantasy movies? Let us know in the comments.