While “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939 became a landmark for fantasy cinema, the genre was already flourishing with groundbreaking works. Pioneering films from the silent and early sound eras established visual wonder and narrative magic long before Dorothy arrived in Oz.
These early masterpieces, such as the haunting “Vampyr” and the mythic “Faust,” showcased ambitious special effects, dark fairy-tale atmospheres, and enduring stories. They proved the cinematic potential of fantasy, building a foundation upon which later classics would stand.