10 Fantasy Films Set on Alien Planets

Description: This campy classic follows Flash Gordon as he battles the evil Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo, with its diverse landscapes and inhabitants.

Fact: Queen provided the film's soundtrack, which has become iconic in its own right.

Description: A video game prodigy is recruited to fight in an interstellar war, leading him to alien planets and a grand adventure that feels like a fantasy quest in space.

Fact: The film was one of the first to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) extensively for its special effects.

Description: This film blends sci-fi with fantasy, featuring an alien diva, a futuristic New York, and a quest to save the universe with the help of the titular fifth element.

Fact: The opera scene was performed by French actress and singer Maïwenn Le Besco, who had to learn to sing in an alien language.

Description: Riddick, an escaped convict, finds himself on various planets, including the icy Crematoria, in this sequel to "Pitch Black," blending sci-fi with elements of fantasy and mythology.

Fact: The film's director, David Twohy, wrote the script while working on the first film, expanding the universe significantly.

Description: Based on Douglas Adams' beloved series, this film takes viewers on a whimsical journey through space, visiting various planets and encountering bizarre alien life forms.

Fact: The film includes a cameo by the original radio series' voice of Marvin, Stephen Moore, as the voice of the Guide Mark II.

Description: Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' "A Princess of Mars," this film follows a Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars, where he becomes embroiled in a conflict between the planet's inhabitants.

Fact: The film was a box office disappointment but has since gained a cult following for its imaginative world-building and visual effects.

Description: This epic sci-fi fantasy transports viewers to Pandora, a lush alien world inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. The film's breathtaking visuals and innovative use of 3D technology make it a standout in the genre.

Fact: Avatar is the highest-grossing film of all time, and its world-building was so extensive that a language, Na'vi, was created for the film.

Description: While not strictly fantasy, this Marvel film features a diverse group of characters traversing the cosmos, encountering various alien planets with their own unique cultures and environments, blending sci-fi with fantasy elements.

Fact: The film's soundtrack, known as "Awesome Mix Vol. 1," became a cultural phenomenon, with its '70s and '80s hits resonating with audiences.

Description: Inspired by the French comic series, this film takes viewers on a visual feast through Alpha, a space station that has grown into a city of a thousand planets, each with its own culture and species.

Fact: The film features over 2,000 different alien species, each with unique designs.

Description: Set on the planet Thra, this film by Jim Henson and Frank Oz uses puppetry to create a rich fantasy world where two Gelflings embark on a quest to restore balance to their world.

Fact: The film was shot entirely using puppets, with no CGI, making it a technical marvel of its time.