End of Days (1999)

Set against the backdrop of a pre-millennial New York City on December 28th, 1999, the film *End of Days* plunges audiences into a race against the apocalypse. As the world anticipates the turn of the millennium, the Devil himself descends upon the city, taking physical form by inhabiting a man's body. His diabolical mission: to locate and claim his chosen bride, a 20-year-old woman named Christine York, before the stroke of midnight ushers in the year 2000. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, the world's only hope rests unexpectedly with Jericho Cane, a jaded and disillusioned atheist, who finds himself thrust into a supernatural battle to prevent the End of Days. Despite its action-thriller facade, *End of Days* unequivocally earns its place on a "Best Fantasy Movies" list through its ambitious supernatural premise. The film delves deep into religious mythology, presenting a literal manifestation of the Devil and a biblical prophecy driving the plot, positioning it firmly within the realm of dark fantasy. It offers a uniquely gritty and atmospheric take on the apocalypse, distinguished by Gabriel Byrne's chilling portrayal of the Devil, which is often cited as a standout performance. Arnold Schwarzenegger, stepping away from his typical heroic persona into a more tormented role, grounds the intense supernatural spectacle. The film's blend of relentless action, suspense, and genuine supernatural horror, all underpinned by a definitive good-versus-evil fantasy struggle for the soul of the world, makes it a compelling and memorable entry in the genre that pushes the boundaries of millennial anxieties into fantastical dread.