Fantasy on film

Fantasy on film

Our favourite fairytales to make the silver screen

With Red Riding Hood in cinemas today (15 April), fairytales appear to have captured Hollywood's attention once more. And, with three Snow White adaptations currently in pre-production (one with Twilight’s Kristen Stewart and another starring Phil Collin’s daughter, Lily Collins), as well as new versions of Hansel and Gretal, Pinocchio and Jack and the Beanstalk in the works, it would seem that the trend is set to continue into 2011.

We've picked our top ten all time favourite fairtytale stories to be made into big screen films, listed below. Share your favourite fairytale in the comments below.

1. Ever After: A Cinderella Story

Why we love it: We've long been fans of Drew Barrymore, and she's fantastic as ever in Ever After as Danielle, the daughter of a Baron who has been forced to work as a maid in her father's household after he passes away. From evil step sisters to a surprising friendship with Leonardo da Vinci, this is one of our favourite versions of Cinderella.

2. The Wizard of Oz

Why we love it: One of our 50 films every woman should see, The Wizard of Oz holds a sentimental place in many hearts. A fantastical world of munchins, yellow brick roads and flying monkeys - Dorothy and her friends are some of the best characters to ever grace the silver screen.

3. Stardust

Why we love it: Based on the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, Stardust is an epic tale of young man in search of a falling star for the woman he's in love with. Romantic, adventure and with plenty of unicorns (as well as a steller cast including Clare Danes, Robert De Niro, Sienna Miller and Ian McKellen), Stardust will transport you to a different world.

4. Princess Bride

Why we love it: Starring Robin Wright as the fantastically named Princess Buttercup and Cary Elwes as the heroic and handsome Wesley, Princess Bride has everything from sword fights, hilariously memorable quotes, and one of the best on-screen love stories to date.

5. Alice in Wonderland

Why we love it: Inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There books, Tim Burton's 2010 film is one of the most visually stunning works we've ever seen. With Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and the voice of Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, this film is a psychedelic, star-packed 3D thrill ride.

6. The Chronicles of Narnia

Why we love it: Based on CS Lewis' seven book series, The Chronicles of Narnia films are an enthralling watch. The fantasy world of Narnia looks exactly we imagined it from reading the books when we were younger with the help of a CGI-generated Aslan the lion (voiced by Liam Neeson), and the brilliantly played Pevensie children.

7. Red Riding Hood

Why we love it: Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke's Red Riding Hood is the visual feast you'd expect, as revealled by our exclusive sketches from the film. With a torrid love triangle, a mysterious werewolf terrorizing a medieval village and Amanda Seyfried as the lead, Red Riding Hood is one film we're excited to see this season.

8. A Little Princess

Why we love it: Based on the 1905 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess tells the story of Sara, who is sent to a boarding school in New York after being told her father dies, where she's forced to work as a servant. A Cinderella-like tale of hardship and hope, A Little Princess is a heartwarming watch.

9. Enchanted

Why we love it: We love the tounge-in-cheek nature of Disney's Enchanted. Starring Amy Adams as Princess Giselle who finds herself trying to make story-book love survive in modern day New York, this film is a classic Disney fairytale with a modern day twist.

10. The Neverending Story

Why we love it: Based on a German novel by Michael Ende, The Neverending Story holds a special place in Stylist's childhood memories. A classic series of films about a boy who finds himself in a wondrous fantasy world, featuring oracles, the Swamps of Sadness and a giant luckdragon named Falkor.