Final Fantasy is one of gaming’s biggest names, extending across over 16 main series releases and dozens of spinoffs. Square Enix’s RPG juggernaut is no stranger to movies and TV, either, as it’s inspired several anime, films, and even a couple of live-action projects.
For longtime fans of the franchise, these movies and TV shows are a way to see the Final Fantasy world in a new way—or, in some cases, see how Final Fantasy has impacted the world. This guide will go over every Final Fantasy movie and TV show so far. Note that, because the franchise is an anthology where most numbered entries are set in completely different timelines, most of these are in release order and don’t need to be viewed in any particular order.
Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals (1994)
This 1994 series marks the first attempt to adapt Final Fantasy as an anime. Legend of the Crystals is set in the world of Final Fantasy V; 200 years after the events of the game, three of the four elemental crystals have been stolen and Mid, one of the handful of recurring Final Fantasy characters, sends new heroes Prettz and Linaly to deal with the evil Deathgyunos. While it was initially received positively, most critics and fans these days find Legend of the Crystals to be a weak adaptation of a beloved franchise.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
The next Final Fantasy adaptation is a bizarre case, even by the standards of a franchise that includes a race of gourmands and a boss fight against a literal house. The Spirits Within is a 2001 photorealistic animated film with a star-studded cast that includes Ming-Na Wen, Alec Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, and Steve Buscemi. The sci-fi film impressed many critics and audiences with its then-groundbreaking visuals, though fans of the games were disappointed by how little it actually has to do with Final Fantasy. Unfortunately for the filmmakers, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within remains one of the biggest box office bombs of all time and resulted in the closure of Square Pictures.
Final Fantasy: Unlimited (2001-2002)
Final Fantasy: Unlimited is the second anime to attempt to capture the magic of the games. It follows 12-year-old twins Ai and Yu Hayakawa as they enter a mysterious fantasy world to find their parents. The show is clearly aimed toward younger viewers, which disappointed many fans of the games. Both low ratings and the failure of The Spirits Within resulted in the series’ planned 52-episode run being slashed to just 25. Fortunately for fans, Unlimited’s story has been continued through novels, manga, and more.
Last Order: Final Fantasy VII (2005)
The success of Final Fantasy VII has led to a still-growing sub-series centered around Cloud Strife and his world. A 25-minute long prequel to the 1997 game released as a bonus feature for Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Last Order: Final Fantasy VII depicts two events referenced in FFVII: Sephiroth’s destruction of Nibelheim and Zack and Cloud escaping from Shinra. Though generally well-received by fans, some of the OVA’s changes were so controversial that the developers of FFVII prequel game Crisis Core were careful to retcon them.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is a sequel to the beloved 1997 game set two years after the defeat of Sephiroth. It follows Cloud Strife as he tries to save kidnapped children infected with Geostigma, a mysterious disease he is also suffering from. Advent Children is notorious among fans for its bizarre, confusing plot that only those who have played through all of FFVII have even a chance of following. Still, its visuals and action sequences are pretty solid even 20 years later, so it’s worth a watch for anyone who can’t get enough of Cloud, Sephiroth, and the rest of the game’s characters.
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016)
With Final Fantasy XV, Square Enix explored different ways of expanding the story outside of the game itself. The results of that were the mini-series Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV and the film Kingsglaive, the latter of which takes place at the same time as the beginning of the game. It focuses on Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII, King of Lucis and father of FFXV protagonist Noctis, as he tries to make peace with the invading empire of Niflheim. The English dub cast features some big names, with Sean Bean, Lena Headey, and Aaron Paul playing major roles. Unfortunately, the film was poorly received by critics, who praised the visuals but took issue with the writing, particularly how the story handles its female characters.
Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV (2016)
Set during the events of Final Fantasy XV, Brotherhood explores the backstories, personal lives, and relationships of the game’s cast. The five episode mini-series reveals how Noctis met Prompto, Gladiolus, and Ignis, as well as how one particular childhood memory still affects him. Brotherhood was warmly received overall, especially in comparison to other Final Fantasy movies and shows, though the main criticism is that it really doesn’t make sense unless you’ve played FFXV.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light (2017)
Unlike the rest of the movies and shows on this list, Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light is set in the real world rather than a fantasy realm—at least for the most part. It tells a sweet story about a young man who uses the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) to anonymously reconnect with his distant retiree father. Inspired by a blog post written by an FFXIV player who introduced the game to their father, the mini-series mixes live-action scenes with footage captured in-game. If you’re a fan of charming and wholesome shows about how media can foster and repair family connections, this one’s for you.
Brave Father Online: Our Story of Final Fantasy XIV (2019)
Based on the same premise and blog post, Brave Father Online: Our Story of Final Fantasy XIV is a film adaptation of Dad of Light. Though it makes some changes, such as adding more characters who play the game, it tells the same story of a young man using the MMORPG to interact with his father. This time, thanks to technological improvements to the game and Square Enix giving the filmmakers their own server to capture footage on, the FFXIV sections look better in the movie while still delivering a sweet and powerful family story.
Where To Watch 'Final Fantasy' Movies And TV Shows Online
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