From Middle-earth to Oz, there’s no limit to what fantasy can create.

Some movies, however, blend magic with elements of the real world, such asPan’s Labyrinth.

Birdmanis shot in a unique way thatcreates the illusion of one continuous take.

The Pale Man showing off the eyeballs on the palms of his hands in ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’

Image via Warner Bros.

The NeverEnding Storygreatly benefits from its dark atmosphere.

The Southern setting greatly aids in the blend of fantasy and realitythroughoutBig Fish.

It is based on the 2003 novel of the same name byDennis Lehane.

Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson, walking down the street as Birdman follows behind him in Birdman

Image via Fox Searchlight Pictures

Directed byMartin Scorsese, the story follows a U.S.

Marshal named Teddy Daniels, played byLeonardo DiCaprio, as he investigates a prison on the titular island.

Shutter Islandexcels at slowly telling the audience the story in a very subtle way.

Birdman Movie Poster

Brazilhas excellent production designthroughout.

Pan’s Labyrinthhas a very creative creature design.

Ameliehas a very effective use of colorthroughout.

A boy next to the dragon Flakor in The NeverEnding Story

Image via Warner Bros.

This cult classic has superb acting, especially from Gyllenhaal.

It is a loose adaptation of the novelPerfect Blue: CompleteMetamorphosisbyYoshikazu Takeuchi.

Perfect Blueuses its animation to expertlycraft a world in which reality is indistinguishable from fantasy.

The Neverending Story Movie Poster

Stylish, unnerving, and appropriately confusing,Perfect Blueis the best movie to blend fantasy and reality.

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NEXT:THE 10 MOVIES THAT DEFINED FANTASY

Ewan McGregor in a flower field in Big Fish

Image via Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group

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US Marshal sitting at a table looking intently in ‘Shutter Island’

Image via Paramount Pictures

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A woman in a chair with a head brace on has the skin of her face stretched by a man standing behind her in Brazil.

Image via Universal Pictures

Brazil Movie Poster

The Faun talking in Pan’s Labyrinth

Image via Warner Bros.

Pans Labyrinth Movie Poster

A child holds a burning lighter and looks at the camera in the film Tigers Are Not Afraid

Image via Videocine

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Amelie smiling under an umbrella

Image via UGC

Jake Gyllenhaal sitting in a movie cinema in ‘Donnie Darko’

Image via Pandora Cinema

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A young woman lying on a bed of objects and plants in the film Perfect Blue

Image via Rex Entertainment

Perfect Blue 1997 Poster