Historical fantasy is a sub-genre of historical fiction that incorporates fantastic elements (such as magic) into the narrative. It is used as an umbrella term for the sword and sorcery genre and sometimes, if fantasy is involved, the sword-and-sandal genre too. Stories fitting this classification generally take place prior to the 20th century.

Films of this genre may have plots set in biblical or classical antiquity, often with plots based very loosely on mythology or legends of Greco-Roman history, or the surrounding cultures of the same era.