Fantasy Films Set in Barcelona

Description: Although set in the Channel Islands, the film's gothic atmosphere and themes of isolation and the supernatural could easily be imagined in Barcelona's historic districts. It's about a woman who lives in a darkened old house with her photosensitive children, waiting for her husband to return from World War II.

Fact: The film was shot in Spain, with many scenes filmed in the Palacio de los Hornillos in Cantabria, which adds to its eerie, isolated feel.

Description: While primarily set in Galicia, the film's themes of freedom, choice, and the human spirit resonate with Barcelona's vibrant and progressive culture. It tells the true story of Ramón Sampedro, a quadriplegic who fights for the right to end his life with dignity.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and was Spain's highest-grossing film of

Description: This film, while not directly set in Barcelona, captures the city's modern and experimental side through its themes of identity and transformation. It tells the story of a plastic surgeon obsessed with creating a new skin to save his daughter, leading to a twisted tale of revenge and transformation.

Fact: The film was inspired by the French novel "Mygale" by Thierry Jonquet. It was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Description: Set in a small English coastal town, this film's themes of resistance against conformity and the power of literature could be paralleled with Barcelona's own literary heritage. It follows a widow who opens a bookshop in a conservative town, facing opposition from a local socialite.

Fact: The film was Spain's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2018, although it was not nominated.

Description: Set in post-Civil War Spain, this film's exploration of childhood innocence and the blurring lines between reality and fantasy could be likened to the magical realism often associated with Barcelona. It follows a young girl who becomes obsessed with the Frankenstein monster after seeing the film.

Fact: The film is often cited as one of the greatest Spanish films ever made and has influenced many filmmakers, including Guillermo del Toro.

Description: This film, while not explicitly set in Barcelona, captures the city's romantic and mysterious aura through its narrative of star-crossed lovers whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways, reflecting the city's own labyrinthine streets.

Fact: The film was a critical success in Spain and was nominated for several Goya Awards, including Best Film.

Description: While set during the Spanish Civil War, the film's haunting atmosphere and themes of ghosts and revenge could resonate with Barcelona's own turbulent history. It tells the story of a boy who arrives at a remote orphanage and discovers its dark secrets.

Fact: This was the first collaboration between director Guillermo del Toro and cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, who would later work together on "Pan's Labyrinth."

Description: While not entirely set in Barcelona, this film captures the essence of the city's darker side through its protagonist's journey. The story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a man with an extraordinary sense of smell, includes scenes in Barcelona, where he seeks to capture the scent of a young girl.

Fact: The film was shot in various locations in Spain, including Barcelona, to capture the historical feel of the 18th century. The movie's ending was controversial and led to mixed reviews, but it remains a cult classic.

Description: Although primarily set in a fictional coastal town, the film's eerie atmosphere and themes of childhood and memory resonate with Barcelona's own Gothic Revival architecture. The story revolves around a woman who returns to her childhood orphanage, only to uncover dark secrets.

Fact: The film was Spain's official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in

Description: While not set in Barcelona, the film's themes of love, justice, and memory resonate with the city's own complex history. It's about a retired legal counselor who writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unsolved homicide cases.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making it the first Argentine film to do so.