Pixar’s Onward has demonstrated that magical and mythical lands can be fully realized in the world of animation, and with the astounding technology available, any story telling can be dramatically enhanced to make a world seem even more amazing.
Over the years, animation has been the home of fantasy, with the methods within the industry allowing for some truly remarkable lands to be created. Here are 10 of the most mythical, magical, and even fantastical lands that we’ve seen in animated movies.
ONWARD (2020)
Pixar only recently released this movie, but the animation studio once again showed that it was capable of some great worldbuilding. From crazy spells to pet dragons to trash unicorns, there’s plenty to love about this realistic take on a fantasy land.
The world really enhances the quest that the two brothers are going on, and the locations certainly stand out compared to other animated movies. There’s an aesthetic to the film that won’t be forgotten, and that in large part is due to the world created.
COCO (2017)
The second Pixar movie on this list heavily relies on Mexican culture in order to tell its story. A young boy finds himself in the land of the dead, on Día de los Muertos. The land itself is an absolutely beautiful creation.
The colors are vibrant and autumnal, as well as being very reflective of the day itself. The way in which the world functions is fantastical. There are a lot of genius choices about these creations, including the alebrijes that roam the land and skies.
MONSTERS, INC. (2001)
Mike and Sully are two of Pixar’s most beloved animated characters, so much so that they inspired two films, and now even a Disney+ series. The world in which they live is also pretty clever, and allows for so many different narrative options.
A world that monsters inhabit in which they must survive off of the screams of children is an interesting concept. Of course, as the movies go on, the power is changed to that of laughter. The whole set-up of the world somehow reflects our own, but with many subtle differences.
INSIDE OUT (2015)
This movie is based around the mind of a child, so there’s all sorts of creative opportunities here. However, the most remarkable thing is how the real world is balanced with this whole kingdom inside of a young girl’s head.
Every part of the brain has been accounted for in different ways, from memories to even dreams and nightmares. There are a number of strange creatures that inhabit all our minds, and this intellectual way of exploring the brain is about as mythical as the concept can be.
PETER PAN (1953)
Neverland is one of the most iconic locations in all of film, and it’s only right that we mention this Disney classic among some of these other lands. While we have seen Atlantis, Wonderland and even a Treasure Planet, nothing quite compares to Peter Pan’s home.
The land where time stands still is one where we’ve all wanted to visit and become a Lost Boy. There are pirates, forbidden islands, and even a ticking crocodile. Neverland will live on forever as one of the most recognizable mythical lands that we’ve ever seen.
HERCULES (1997)
The son of Zeus has had a lot of adventures on Earth, but during his journey, we also got to learn about the ancient world of Olympus that was up there in the sky. Titans, monsters, gods and heroes all exist within this magic land.
The Greek myths have inspired this movie to such a great extent that there’s even an underworld with one of the best Disney villains, Hades. Earth also has a magical feel, with ancient Greece serving as a great setting to meet satyrs and other creatures.
SHREK (2001)
The ogre from the swamp has become one of the most recognizable characters in the world, and really launched the DreamWorks brand. The lands of Shrek and Donkey are truly magical, and spin off from other animated movies, including the many Disney fairy tales.
Not only do a lot of fabled characters exist in this world, but there are also dragons, castles, and even the kingdom of Far Far Away. The strange world that has been built here is totally unique, as it’s both a parody yet extremely distinct.
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (2012)
Another film that relies on the real world as a basis, the titular Guardians are the fictional characters we’ve created for a variety of human behaviors and holidays. Among their ranks is Jack Frost, Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and even the Sandman.
Each of them has their own mythical world that they live in that successfully interconnects with the real world. The land of the nightmares has also been introduced as a villainous force seeking to terrify the Earth’s population.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (2010)
Hiccup and Toothless are a duo that no one saw coming, but have taken the world by storm. The Riders of Berk, as they have come to be known, are perhaps almost as fun to watch as the dragons they ride.
A land of vikings and dragons in a constant battle for supremacy has turned into a kingdom of friendship with the winged beasts. The franchise has continued to develop this fictional land, introducing new beasts as it goes.
THE LEGO MOVIE (2014)
Everything is awesome in this crazy world of Lego. With so many different types of Lego sets to choose from, these series of movies have created a number of bizarre mythical lands to enjoy.
Whether it’s the Western era, or perhaps Cuckoo Cloud Land, there’s plenty to love about Emmet’s world. While there have been some tensions with Lord Business, this has been overcome in order for the inhabitants to live in peace.
