The process of world-building, when approached with respect, will often lead to the creation of a wondrous fictional world in which a movie viewer can easily become immersed. Most films will attempt to create an imaginary land for their stories to take shape, but fiction isn't always necessary for the creation of a mesmerizing world.
The fantasy genre is one of the most efficient means of building an engaging world due to its lack of limitations. A fantasy movie will usually rely heavily on absurdity to tell its story, but the most successful way to accomplish this is through the incorporation of a riveting world.
10 Coraline
After moving into her new home, an inquisitive Coraline stumbles upon a door in a wall that leads to a mirrored version of her world, but certain aspects of it have been severely altered. Unlike the world she knows, this new reality transforms everything she doesn't like about her life into something she has been longing for.
The way these two worlds are built is effective in revealing Coraline's state of mind. Though she favors the vibrant world behind the walls of her house, she will happily accept the dull and gray reality she is used to if it means keeping her parents safe. The world-building of Coraline is exceptionally clever because of the corresponding personalities it gives to each reality.
9 Hook
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After leaving Neverland in the hope of pursuing a normal life, Peter Pan gets a job and starts a family. Unfortunately for him, his old nemesis, Captain Hook, discovers Pan's new life and decides to enact revenge by kidnapping his children. Peter is forced to return to Neverland to rescue them, but his arrival reveals that he has no memory of his time there.
Hook takes advantage of this lapse of memory and attempts to condition Peter's son, Jack, against him. During Peter's time in Neverland, he retraces his childhood steps and rediscovers the wonders it once held for him. It is a colorful and vibrant world full of awe-inspiring magic, making it one of the best depictions of Neverland to appear in cinema.
8 Shrek 2
The original Shrek saw the famed ogre of the same name opening up and letting others in. He bested Lord Farquaad and won the heart of Fiona, so his peaceful swamp lifestyle finally had everything it needed. Unfortunately for Shrek, he had still yet to meet his in-laws.
Shrek 2 sees Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey venturing away from their home to the kingdom of Far, Far Away, an extravagant metropolis based loosely on Hollywood. Unlike the locations in the first film, Far, Far Away is a modern rendition of a medieval city. Its stark contrast to the world's more typical locations serves to further alienate Shrek while also giving the viewer the chance to experience a different culture.
7 How To Train Your Dragon
Hiccup was raised by his father to see hunting dragons as a way of life. All youths are encouraged to fell these avian beasts to ensure the safety of their homes, but many approach dragon slaying as if it were a form of sport.
How to Train Your Dragon is arguably one of the most comical animations centered on Norse mythology. As the story progresses, Hiccup will eventually learn that not all dragons mean to inflict harm. They are largely misunderstood creatures who simply want to be left alone. The way the world is built serves to isolate Hiccup, an action that prompts him to seek answers.
6 Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe
Set during the events of World War II, four siblings are sent to a remote country house by their parents in the hope that the horrors of war will not reach them. While here, the young children stumble across a magical wardrobe that, when entered, leads to the magical world of Narnia.
Though the size of the wardrobe would suggest there is little to be seen in Narnia, the four children quickly learn that an entire world lurks behind its quaint wooden door. Narnia consists of luscious forests, blisteringly cold snowscapes, and grass as far as the eye can see. Thanks to this combination, Narnia can be considered one of the most well-built worlds in fantasy.
5 Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl
After arriving in Port Royal without a mode of transport, the famed pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, finds himself in an unfortunate situation. As a pirate, society looks down upon Jack as they believe him to be nothing more than a ruthless thief and, though this is an accurate assumption, there is much more to Jack than what first meets the eye.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl does an incredible job of shaping a world infested with pirates. A pirate's life is full of risk and debauchery, but oftentimes their moral obligations will outweigh the code they claim to follow. Set largely on the open seas, the viewer will likely find themselves feeling like part of the crew the more they watch.
4 Frozen
Elsa managed to conceal her ice powers from her peers for many years, but this burden eventually became too much to bear. After finally opening the gates of her kingdom to throw a ball for the town's residents, Elsa finds herself overcome with emotion. This leads her to accidentally unleash her powers for all the townsfolk to see.
She is shunned for this and decides to seek safety atop a nearby mountain. The world-building of Frozen sees a different meaning being associated with it depending on the character who views it. To Elsa, the snow-white landscape acts as a form of sanctuary, while Anna sees it as barren land wrought with danger.
3 Spider-Man
The opening of Spider-Man seeks to portray Peter Parker as an ordinary man with a repetitive life, but this all changes when he is bitten by a radioactive spider. The bite gifts Peter with superhuman strength, as well as the ability to stick to vertical surfaces similar to how a spider would.
Peter vows to use his newfound powers for good, believing that doing so would honor the memory of his uncle. His heroism gains him huge popularity alongside a celebrity status with some fans composing songs as a tribute to him. Unlike modern-day superhero movies, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man captures what a city with a superhero would truly be like. Citizens are captivated by Spider-Man and root for him no matter the consequences.
2 Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone
Based on the novel of the same name, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone marks the beginning of a destined boy's journey to become a wizard. After receiving a letter from Albus Dumbledore, Harry sets off to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry only to discover that the wizarding world is a stark contrast to the one he was previously confined to.
Chris Columbus' approach to shaping the world of magic is an effective one due to the world's design. While Harry wanders Diagon Alley in search of school supplies, he is given a glimpse of a magical world full of awe and wonder. Though later entries became darker in tone, the world-building in The Philosopher's Stone serves to highlight just how fantastical the wizarding world truly is.
1 The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
The Fellowship of the Ring sees Frodo Baggins coming into the possession of the One Ring, a sinister artifact that the dark lord, Sauron, is constantly searching for. To prevent Sauron from regaining his power, Gandalf sends Frodo on a quest to destroy the ring in the fires of Mount Doom, the volcano wherein the ring was forged.
Throughout his journey, Frodo ventures to and from farmer's fields, decrepit taverns, forgotten tombs, and forest kingdoms. Each location differs greatly from the last, but that's what makes the world of Middle Earth so immersive.