“My parents can’t be spies. They’re not cool enough!”
The classic 51-episode anime series Fullmetal Alchemist blends sci-fi and fantasy with its concept of alchemy as both magic and science. It follows two brothers on a quest for personal redemption amid a massive conspiracy.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood isn’t a sequel, but a retelling of FMA. It more closely follows the manga both series are based on, with different takes on the same basic story.
Based on the Tomb Raider game series, The Cradle of Life follows Lara Croft, the world’s most violent archaeologist, on a hunt for the mythical Pandora’s Box.
Pan’s Labyrinth, directed by Guillermo del Toro, is set in both a fantastical underworld and in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, blending fairy tales with real-world horror.
The Spy Kids movies have diminishing returns, but the first is at least worth a watch, especially if you’re spending time with younger family members for the holidays.
Underworld and its sequels Awakening and War of the Lycans are over-the-top, silly, and convoluted movies about a war between vampires and werewolves. That makes them unwatchable for some people and must-see favorites for others.