Guillermo Del Toro's blockbusting tale of a young girl struggling to make sense of the violent world around her was a big 2006 arthouse hit. Continuing his exploration of the impact of the Spanish Civil War on his generation (it was also the backdrop for his excellent ghost story, The Devil's Backbone) Del Toro's fantasy mixes strong horror with fairytale-style aesthetics to great effect, making Ofelia's escape into an imaginary realm a poignant response to the cruel realities of her existence. find out more...

When three children, with their recently divorced mum, move to a country mansion young Jared pretty soon discovers a book, Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You, which he starts to read. Unfortunately the book is a key target for an evil ogre, Mulgarath, who, although he knows no way through a protective magic circle, lays seige to the house with his army of goblins and gubbins. So it's up to the family (well, in truth mum's not much help) to fight the demons and save thei find out more...