As an avid and frequent hater of theHays Code, I often write about how much I love raunchy, swear-filled, uncensored media that contains all the multitudes humans can muster…this article is no different! However, this time, we get to explorefantasy, which is a genre often relegated toLord of the RingsandGame ofThrones-type medieval dramas despite being such a broad umbrella that it includes subgenres of subgenres. Superhero films, supernatural dramas, time travel, and even some sci-fi are a part of the fantasy family, and it’s time we stop pretending otherwise.
So here are the best R-rated fantasy movies on Netflix right now to get you started on broadening your fantasy horizons. Want something a little tamer? Check out our list of the bestfantasy moviesandshowson Netflix of all ratings or the bestmoviesandshowson the platform across all genres.
‘The Old Guard’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 6.7/10
The Old Guard
Comic book writerGreg Ruckaadapts his hit graphic novel,The Old Guard, about a band of immortal mercenaries, into live-action with an all-star cast.Charlize Theron(Fast X),KiKi Layne(Don’t Worry Darling), andChiwetel Ejiofor(The Man Who Fell to Earth) lead this action-packed thriller filled with great lore, fun characters, and wild set pieces. One might assume a story following a group that can’t be permanently killed would have trouble creating stakes, but that couldn’t be further from the truth, as these immortals feel every bit of pain and suffering as a greedy pharmaceutical executive hunts them down to dissect their bodies and learn the secret of their healing factor. It’s a wild ride that will make you feel truly alive!
Watch on Netflix
‘Project Power’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 61% | IMDb: 6/10
Project Power
Jamie Foxx(Day Shift),Dominique Fishback(Transformers: Rise of the Beasts), andJoseph Gordon-Levitt(Inception) star in this underrated thrill ride about a dangerous new drug hitting the streets of New Orleans that gives people extraordinary superpowers.Project Powerhas a sleek presentation, but the vibe is that of the super-fun mid-budget flicks of the early 2000s likeJet Li’sThe Oneor the first of the FOXX-Menfranchise. However, the real draw is Foxx and Fishback as a fantastic dynamic duo who immediately click into a delightful father-daughter dynamic as they track down the origins of the drug while delivering fantastic banter. Anyone looking to pop on a cool flick to get their fantasy fill would be hard-pressed to find a better film.
‘Predestination’ (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Predestination
EssentiallyTimecopmeetsMinority Reportwith a little bit ofLooperthrown in for good measure,Predestinationis a mindbending Australiantime travel dramastarringEthan Hawke(Moon Knight) andSarah Snook(Succession). The story follows Hawke as an agent of a clandestine organization that uses time travel to stop disasters and murders before they happen. This film’s use of paradoxes and the concept of destiny is quite interesting and is well-suited to the noirish tone that slowly unfolds the twists and turns to keep the audience engaged from start to finish — not to mention Snook’s mysterious character and dazzling performance that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
‘Mortal Kombat’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Mortal Kombat 2021
Rebooting the live-action adaptions of the long-running beat-em-up videogame franchise,Mortal Kombatis an R-rated bloodbath that doesn’t pull any punches. Unlike the first two movies from the ’90s, this new film, starring an ensemble cast led byLewis Tan(Shadow and Bone),Jessica McNamee(The Meg), andMehcad Brooks(Supergirl), faithfully adapts the brutality of the game series while filling the story and background with wonderful Easter eggs throughout. Beyond the fan service, as you would expect from a story based on a fighting game, the best parts of the film are the creative and heart-pounding fight scenes that expertly useeach character’s abilitieswhile utilizing them to drive the plot.
‘There’s Something in the Barn’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 5.5/10
There’s Something in the Barn
This Norwegian horror comedy is perfect for anyone who loves Christmas but isn’t ready to let go of the Halloween spirit.There’s Something in the BarnstarsFreaks and GeeksalumMartin Starras the patriarch of an American family that moves to a remote farmhouse in Norway to get in touch with their heritage but soon find themselves plagued by a hoard of murderous barn elves. The film has peak campy B-Movie vibes with Starr, and his co-leads,Amrita Acharia(Game of Thrones) and newcomerTownes Bunner, help to sell the wacky premise while delivering a terrific balance of humor, earnestness, and fright.
‘Dampyr’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 61% | IMDb: 5.4/10
Based on the Italian comic book,Dampyris a supernatural action horror that dives into the realm of vampires, their half-human offspring, andvampire hunters. The story revolves aroundWade Briggs(His Dark Materials) as a man who discovers he is half-vampire as he is pursued by a Master of the Night who sees his existence as an unprecedented threat. Anyone who enjoys theUnderworldfilms or theVampire Hunter Danime is sure to get a kick out of the breakneck action and fantastic use of magic and lore to build a lived-in society of vampiric rules and politics.
‘Space Sweepers’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 70% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Space Sweepers
From contemplative dramas likeParasiteto one of the best zombie flicks in years,Train to Busan, South Korea has been dropping bangers over the last decade that have seeped into the mainstream consciousness like never before.Space Sweepersis another fun ride to add to the list. Set in the late 21st century, this space Western follows a ragtag crew of debris cleaners who stumble upon a dangerous robot capable of unheard-of destruction. Unfortunately, that robot looks and acts like a cute little child. Now, the crew must protect this dangerous kid and uncover the truth behind its creation while running from terrorist groups, soldiers, and, worst of all… debt collectors.
‘Code 8’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Arrowversealums and cousinsRobbie(The Flash) andStephen Amell(Arrow) star in this superpower action drama about a society where people with superhuman abilities are a marginalized class forced to register their powers while being mainly used for labor. Robbie Amell takes the lead as an electricity user recruited by a shady group to help with a job that could get him enough money to take care of his mother, but things quickly spin out of control.Code 8has tight worldbuilding that quickly settles the audience into the fantastical world of superpowers while telling a grounded story about a guy with good intentions who gets in over his head. Once you’re done with this one,the sequelis waiting for you on Netflix as well, so you can have a full day of that Amell magic.
