Pan's Labyrinth

Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth is the greatest dark fantasy film ever made and one of the most visually stunning movies in any genre. Set during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the film interweaves the brutal reality of fascist Spain with the fantastical journey of young Ofelia through an underground labyrinth populated by ancient creatures. Doug Jones' dual performance as the Faun and the Pale Man created two of the most iconic creatures in cinema history — the Pale Man's eyeless face with eyes in his palms is an image that haunts everyone who sees it. Del Toro won three Academy Awards and proved that genre filmmaking could achieve the emotional and artistic depth of any prestige drama. The final scene — where Ofelia's sacrifice opens the gateway — is as devastating as anything in Schindler's List.