Fantasy movies have the capacity to tap into our deepest emotions.
Fantasy stories can tell deep human stories and reflect the way that characters see the world around them.
In particular, there are some fantasy stories that amplify the feeling of sadness by presenting devastating stories.
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These stories may be sad, but they feature characters who experience both tragedy and triumph.
Edward uses stories to tell his son about his life.
While the story may feature fantastical stories, it is grounded in a familiar story that is ultimately bittersweet.
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As the title implies, the story revolves around a unicorn who is the last of her kind.
The movie is a dark fantasy with a melancholic tone that never lets up.
Jeliza-Rose has a chaotic family and tries to find a way to adapt to her isolation.
Tidelandis particularly sad because it is grounded in the reality that so many children around the world face.
It is devastating to see the effects of isolation play out in Jeliza-Rose’s story.
The story’s tragedy comes from the fact that Jeliza-Rose is frequently neglected when she most needs support.
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It is alarming how violent the story becomes.
This violence reflects the turmoil that Jeliza-Rose faces internally and in her environment.
The two used their combined imaginations to construct a fantasy world that serves as an escape.
The two use their creativity to create an elaborate world that they can visit whenever they need.
What makesBridge to Terabithiaso devastating is that it highlights the fact that life is so short.
The story features a protagonist who experiences deeply devastating losses at a young age.
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Ultimately,Bridge to Terabithia’s exploration of grief and loss makes it deeply sad to watch.
His parents are divorced, and he isn’t particularly close to his older sister.
Max imagines a world inhabited by seven large monsters.
Max forms relationships with these seven monsters, particularly Carol (James Gandolfini), the short-tempered leader.
The story is based on the children’s book of the same name byMaurice Sendak.
Where the Wild Things Areis another tragic storybecause it highlights the plight of a child who feels lonely.
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Additionally, the ordinary conflicts that Max faces are relatable, which gives the story more emotional resonance.
The movie follows Riley’s struggles to adjust after moving to a new state.
WhatmakesInside Outso sadis that it is a meditation on the difficulty that comes with growing up.
4’A Monster Calls' (2016)
Directed by J.A.
Conor is visited by a giant who looks similar to a large tree.
The giant tells Conor stories and provides a listening ear to his troubles.
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These characters exist in an alternate historical timeline.
In this alternate reality, medical technology allows humans to live beyond 100 years.
Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy are friends from childhood who live in a mysterious boarding school.
As the story unfolds, their lives become entangled in heartbreaking ways.
The Green Mileis a heartbreaking story that uses fantasy elements to highlight real societal issues.
NEXT:The Best Fantasy Movies of All Time, Ranked
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