Exciting Weekend with 7 Recommendations for Action-Packed Fantasy Horror Movies with Thrilling Stories

PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006) As a director and storyteller, Guillermo del Toro successfully presents PAN'S LABYRINTH as a work that is not only frightening but may also seem disgusting to some. The film's premise, scoring, and visualization come together perfectly, creating a memorable viewing experience. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the film follows the story of Ofelia (played by Ivana Baquero), a young girl who discovers an underground world filled with magical and terrifying creatures. The presence of monsters like the Faun and the Pale Man makes this film rich with tension and extraordinary horror visuals. Behind its fantasy lies a dark message about human cruelty.

VAN HELSING (2004) VAN HELSING, directed by Stephen Sommers, tells the adventure of Gabriel Van Helsing (played by Hugh Jackman), a monster hunter assigned by the Knights of the Holy Order to hunt Count Dracula. On his journey set in Transylvania in 1887, Van Helsing collaborates with Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) to fight various mythical creatures such as Frankenstein, werewolves, and vampires. With an action-packed plot and stunning visuals, this film offers an exciting horror experience, combining engaging elements of action and fantasy.

CONSTANTINE (2005) Directed by Francis Lawrence, this film tells the story of John Constantine (played by Keanu Reeves), a demon hunter with the ability to see the true forms of half-angel and half-demon beings. John Constantine, who lives in Los Angeles, seeks salvation from an eternal curse in hell due to a suicide attempt in his youth by sending half-demons back to hell. In his efforts, he collaborates with Detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) who seeks his help to investigate the mysterious death of her twin sister, Isabel. With supernatural elements and a dark atmosphere, CONSTANTINE presents a thrilling and tense story, making it one of the must-watch fantasy horror films.

SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999) Directed by Tim Burton, SLEEPY HOLLOW is a loose adaptation of Washington Irving's short story titled THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW. The film stars Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane, a constable from New York assigned to investigate a series of brutal murders in the village of Sleepy Hollow in 1799. It is said that the murders were committed by the Headless Horseman, a Hessian mercenary from the American Revolutionary War who rises from the dead to seek his lost head. In the midst of his investigation, Ichabod encounters Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci), the daughter of a wealthy family. Together, they try to uncover the mystery that haunts the village.

CRIMSON PEAK (2015) Once again, Guillermo del Toro's work makes it onto this list with CRIMSON PEAK, a gothic horror film filled with visual beauty and a dark atmosphere. Set in Victorian-era England, the film follows the story of Edith Cushing (played by Mia Wasikowska), a young writer who marries Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and moves to his family's remote mansion, Allerdale Hall. There, Edith begins to experience various supernatural events that reveal the dark secrets of the Sharpe family, especially from Thomas's sister, Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain). The tension rises as the frightening truth behind love and power is uncovered.

THE WITCH (2015) Although leaning more towards supernatural horror, THE WITCH presents a rich dark fantasy element. The film is set in the 17th century and follows the story of a family that is exiled from their community and lives near a forest. They begin to experience strange and terrifying events involving witches. The haunting atmosphere, slow yet chilling storyline, and disturbing visuals make THE WITCH a captivating yet terrifying horror experience.

THE BABADOOK (2014) THE BABADOOK is a perfect example of a film that combines psychological horror with fantasy. It tells the story of a mother trying to protect her child from a terrifying entity that comes from a mysterious storybook. The film is filled with horror fantasy elements that present horrifying monsters within the characters' reality, making the audience wonder whether the threat is real or just an illusion of a disturbed mind.