The 10 Best Guillermo del Toro Fantasy & Monster Movies, Ranked

Guillermo del Toro is a master of weaving dark fairy tales with haunting creatures that linger in your mind long after the credits roll. His films blend fantasy and horror with a deep love for monsters, often showing their humanity in ways that challenge how we see good and evil.

From gothic ghost stories to epic battles with giant beasts, his work is a celebration of the strange and beautiful. Below, I rank his 10 best fantasy and monster movies, diving into what makes each one unforgettable.

10. Mimic (1997)

In ‘Mimic’, a scientist creates a genetically altered insect to stop a deadly disease spread by cockroaches in New York City. Years later, these bugs evolve into human-like predators, hunting in the city’s subway tunnels.

The film’s dark, gritty atmosphere and creepy creature designs scream del Toro, but studio interference dulled its edge. Still, the insect-human hybrids and tense underground scenes make it a solid monster flick.

9. Blade II (2002)

‘Blade II’ follows vampire hunter Blade as he teams up with his enemies to fight a new breed of mutant vampires called Reapers. Del Toro’s touch turns this action sequel into a gory monster fest.

The Reapers, with their split jaws and feral hunger, steal the show. While the plot is thin, the wild fight scenes and Ron Perlman’s gruff charm keep it entertaining.

8. Crimson Peak (2015)

‘Crimson Peak’ is a gothic romance where a young writer moves to a haunted English mansion with her new husband and his sinister sister. Ghosts warn her of dark secrets buried in the house.

The film’s stunning visuals, from blood-red snow to decaying walls, create a chilling fairy-tale vibe. Though the story feels predictable, Mia Wasikowska and Jessica Chastain’s performances add depth.

7. Pacific Rim (2013)

In ‘Pacific Rim’, humanity builds giant robots called Jaegers to battle massive sea monsters known as Kaiju. A washed-up pilot and a rookie team up to save the world in a final stand.

Del Toro’s love for Japanese monster movies shines through in the epic, city-smashing fights. The heartfelt characters and jaw-dropping visuals make this a fun, larger-than-life spectacle.

6. Hellboy (2004)

‘Hellboy’ brings the comic book demon-turned-hero to life, as he fights Nazi occultists and Lovecraftian monsters with his paranormal team. Ron Perlman is perfect as the cigar-chomping Hellboy.

Del Toro balances humor, heart, and horror, with creatures like the tentacled Sammael stealing scenes. The film’s mix of gritty action and quirky charm makes it a standout superhero tale.

5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’ sees Hellboy face an elven prince who wants to unleash a mythical army to destroy humanity. The fantasy ramps up with trolls, fairies, and a magical underworld.

Del Toro’s creature designs, like the toothy tooth fairies, are wildly inventive. The film’s deeper look at Hellboy’s struggle to belong adds emotional weight to the dazzling action.

4. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ reimagines the classic tale as a stop-motion dark fantasy set during fascist Italy. Pinocchio’s journey to understand life and loss is both magical and heartbreaking.

The animation is breathtaking, with del Toro’s signature blend of beauty and darkness. Its anti-war message and emotional depth make it a unique take on a familiar story.

3. The Devil’s Backbone (2001)

Set during the Spanish Civil War, ‘The Devil’s Backbone’ follows a boy sent to a haunted orphanage where a ghost reveals secrets about a missing child. It’s a chilling blend of war and supernatural horror.

Del Toro crafts a somber, ghostly tale with a focus on childhood trauma. The pale, waterlogged ghost is eerie, but the human cruelty is the real monster here.

2. The Shape of Water (2017)

In ‘The Shape of Water’, a mute janitor in a 1960s lab falls in love with a captured amphibian creature. Their bond becomes a fight for freedom against a cruel government agent.

Del Toro’s ode to classic monster movies is tender and visually stunning. Sally Hawkins and Doug Jones bring raw emotion to this fairy tale about love and otherness.

1. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ is set in 1944 Spain, where a young girl escapes her brutal fascist stepfather through a magical world filled with fauns and monsters. Her fantasy and reality collide in haunting ways.

Del Toro’s masterpiece blends dark fairy-tale wonder with the horrors of war. The Pale Man, with eyes in his hands, is iconic, but Ofelia’s courage makes this unforgettable.

Which Guillermo del Toro monster or fantasy film is your favorite, or did I miss a gem? Drop your thoughts in the comments!