Magic comes in many forms, and the best magic movies explore them all. Magic, sorcery, and illusion pop up most often in fairy tales and family movies, but it’s hardly confined to these genres, as magic pertains to much more than just Mary Poppins. From the awe of Studio Ghibli productions to the sinister wonder of Pan’s Labyrinth, magic is a broad concept that can open several creative avenues. Whether set in a high-fantasy otherworld or a secretive castle in the near-modern day, movies featuring magic and illusion remain fascinating.
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Magic has been a key storytelling component since fiction first formed millennia ago. The concepts of witches, wizards, spells, and sorcerers will likely appear in movies for the remainder of the medium’s relevance. Be it Mickey Mouse charming a bunch of brooms or a bold quest to document the existence of the Blair Witch, magic crops up in many forms across every genre. While most immediately jump to the Harry Potter movies or Hocus Pocus, there’s much more to magic than that, and many great movies of the current day include plenty of magical elements.
30 The Sword In The Stone (1963)
Disney’s Retelling Of The Adventures Of King Arthur And Merlin
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10/10 The Sword in the Stone GAnimationComedyFantasyMusical
Disney’s animated classic The Sword in the Stone spins a new take on the tale of King Arthur of Camelot’s origins as a humble squire named Wart who wishes to become the Once and Future King. Though many have tried and failed, Wart, with the help of the all-powerful (but bumbling) magician Merlin, will embark on a quest to pull the sword form the stone and lead his country to a prosperous future.
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*Availability in US Director Wolfgang Reitherman Release Date December 25, 1963 Cast Rickie Sorensen , Karl Swenson , Junius Matthews , Sebastian Cabot , Norman Alden , Martha Wentworth Runtime 79 Minutes
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Merlin is one of the most legendary wizards in pop culture history with myriad movies and shows showcasing his story. However, one of the best and most beloved adventures in which he is included is in the underrated Disney movie The Sword in the Stone. This is a family-friendly retelling of the legend of King Arthur, focusing on the young boy who is about to remove the mythical sword from the stone and set out on his journey to become one of the greatest knights in history.
As in many iterations of the King Arthur story, Merlin serves as the mentor to the young hero in this animated adventure. However, it is a unique take on the character, with Merlin being a humorous and somewhat bumbling wizard whose grasp on magic is not what it once was. However, the movie features one of the most entertaining magic battles in cinematic history with Merlin taking on the nefarious Madam Mim in a shapeshifting showdown.
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29 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
A Band Of Heroes Take On An Ancient Evil
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26 9.5/10 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves PG-13FantasyAdventureAction
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a fantasy action-comedy film based on the popular tabletop game and set in the Forgotten Realms campaign by the original creators. Chris Pine stars as a song-slinging thief named Edgin Darvis, who is hired to find a lost relic but manages to anger the wrong people along the way. With his mismatched crew, each inspired by a race and class from D&D lore, Edgin will lead his team to complete their task – and many innocent lives depend on it.
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*Availability in US Director Jonathan Goldstein , John Francis Daley Release Date March 31, 2023 Cast Hugh Grant , Rege-Jean Page , Chris Pine , Justice Smith , Chloe Coleman , Michelle Rodriguez , Sophia Lillis Runtime 134 Minutes
Fans of magic, sorcery, and spells have long gravitated to the beloved table-top game Dungeons & Dragons. After a lot of failed attempts to bring it to the big screen in a successful way, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves delivered a hugely entertaining, action-packed, and funny fantasy adventure that brought the magic of the game to life. The movie stars the likes of Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez in the story of a band of misfit thieves who accidentally unleash an ancient evil and must undo the damage they have caused.
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The Dungeons & Dragons cast adds a lot to the movie, crafting fun and exciting characters with great performances. However, the film is also very clever with its use of magic in the story, with several sequences that take existing aspects of the fantasy genre and use them in inspired ways. From shape-shifters to magic mirrors to battles with dragons, Honor Among Thieves proves there is still plenty of new ground to explore in magic movies.
28 Mary Poppins (1964)
Julie Andrew’s Magical Nanny
Mary Poppins GMusicalComedyFantasyFamily
Based on the classic book series by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins stars Julie Andrews as the famous magical nanny, who arrives under mysterious means to look after the Banks children in early 1900s London. Considered one of Walt Disney’s crowning achievements, the film blends live-action and animation with whimsical storytelling and song and has been a staple children’s movie since its release in 1964.
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*Availability in US Director Robert Stevenson Release Date June 18, 1965 Cast Karen Dotrice , Glynis Johns , Dick Van Dyke , David Tomlinson , Julie Andrews , Matthew Garber Runtime 139 minutes
The combination of magic and the real world can often make those fantasy elements all the more special in movies. Such is the case with the classic Disney live-action family movie Mary Poppins. The story focuses on a dysfunctional family in London in need of a nanny to help with the misbehaving children. They find the help they need with the arrival of Mary Poppins, a magical young woman who brings whimsy and a sense of joy into the household.
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The magic aspects of Mary Poppins as a character are never really explained and that is part of the charm. The other characters in the movie are amazed by the things she can do, but they simply accept them with joy. However, from the iconic first image of her floating out of the sky with an umbrella, the magic in her is clear, and she proves it many times over, with tea parties on the ceiling and even a trip inside an animated world.
27 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Ian McKellen’s Gandalf Is A Magic Highlight
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9.9/10 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring PG-13ActionFantasyAdventure
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the first film in Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy. The movie follows Frodo Baggins (Elijah Woods) as he is tasked with destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom after he inherits the ring.
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*Availability in US Director Peter Jackson Release Date December 19, 2001 Cast Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Liv Tyler , Viggo Mortensen , Sean Astin , Cate Blanchett , John Rhys-Davies , Billy Boyd , Dominic Monaghan , Orlando Bloom , Christopher Lee , Hugo Weaving , Sean Bean , Ian Holm , Andy Serkis Runtime 178 Minutes Expand
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Bringing fantasy novels to the big screen is always a daunting task, but it has perhaps never been achieved as effectively as with the Lord of the Rings movies. J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic saga of Middle-earth is a legendary story in the genre and Peter Jackson managed to do it justice with his epic trilogy of movies which begins with The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, kickstarting the journey of Frodo and the other heroes to destroy the One Ring.
As with most movies set in fantasy worlds, there are a lot of magic elements to speak of. However, the highlight of the movie is the character of Gandalf with Ian McKellen’s Oscar-nominated performance bringing one of the most beloved pop culture wizards to life. Gandalf’s magic is shown to be fun, as with the fireworks he displays, and heroic, as with his last stand against Balrog.
26 Pinocchio (1940)
The Blue Fairy Brings A Wooden Puppet To Life
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5/10 Disney’s Pinocchio
Gepetto, an old Italian carpenter, wanted to be a father so badly that his puppet of a boy came to life. However, the wooden boy doesn’t know right from wrong and his nose grows when he lies.
Director Ben Sharpsteen , Hamilton Luske , Bill Roberts , Norman Ferguson , Jack Kinney , Wilfred Jackson , T. Hee Release Date February 23, 1940 Cast Cliff Edwards , Dickie Jones , Christian Rub , Walter Catlett , Charles Judels , Evelyn Venable , Frankie Darro Runtime 88 Minutes
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So many Disney movies have dealt with magic in a big way, from fairy godmothers giving poor girls the chance to find happiness to a genie granting wishes. However, perhaps the most iconic magic moment from all of the Disney animated movies is when the Blue Fairy allows the wooden puppet Pinocchio to come to life and get his chance to prove himself a real boy.
The famous tale of Pinocchio and his surrogate father Geppetto has been told many times, but the classic Disney animated version still captures the hearts of fans decades later. The song “When You Wish Upon a Star” highlights the magic not only at the center of this story but also of the entire Disney catalog. Along with the Disney version, Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion take on the tale is a darker yet also beautiful version.
25 The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
A Girl & Her Friends Battle A Wicked Witch
The Wizard of Oz
Based on Frank L. Baum’s book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
Director Victor Fleming Release Date August 25, 1939 Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Cast Margaret Hamilton , Jack Haley , Judy Garland , Bert Lahr , Ray Bolger
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Magic movies have existed since the early days of the silent era, and new editing techniques have allowed them to showcase magicians and parlor tricks. There were also several movies about demonic magic, like The Student of Prague and Faust. However, one of the most magical movies of the golden era came in 1939 with The Wizard of Oz. The film sees a farm girl named Dorothy sent to a magical land where she meets a “good witch” and battles a Wicked Witch to return home.
The movie version of
Wicked
, which tells the story from the Wicked Witch’s point of view, will be released in 2024.
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The movie is full of magic, with the Wicked Witch sending her flying monkeys to stop Dorothy, while the Wizard himself is a perfect example of a magician using parlor tricks to get what he wants. The film has become one of the most beloved classics ever made, watched more than any other movie in apparent history (via AFI). It was also one of the first movies entered into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. There’s an air of magical wonder that has allowed it to remain timeless.
24 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010)
A Live-Action Version Of The Classic Disney Animated Classic
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Balthazar Blake and and Maxim Horvath are rival sorcerers, hundreds of years old. In modern-day Manhattan, Balthazar fights the forces of evil, while Horvath searches for the person destined to inherit the powers of the mythical Merlin. This turns out to be Dave Stutler, whom Balthazar takes in as a reluctant apprentice to help him stop Horvath from destroying the world.
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*Availability in US Director Jon Turteltaub Release Date July 14, 2010 Distributor(s) Disney Cast Jay Baruchel , Alfred Molina , Teresa Palmer , Toby Kebbell , Omar Benson Miller , Monica Bellucci , Alice Krige , Robert Capron , Ian McShane , Nicolas Cage
In 1940, Disney Animation released Fantasia, which shocked audiences with imagery that some believed was too frightening for young children. 70 years later, Disney adapted parts of that story into the live-action movie The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which was mostly based on the Mickey Mouse magic storyline from that earlier movie. Jay Baruchel stars as Dave, a college student who becomes the hapless apprentice to the millennia-old sorcerer Balthazar (Nicolas Cage).
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Nicolas Cage’s Balthazar Blake is based on Yen Sid from
Fantasia
.
Dave is clearly over his head and struggles throughout to control his magical powers. Balthazar is barely any help, with Cage in top form as the exasperated master wizard. The movie didn’t receive great reviews when it was released, sitting at 40% on Rotten Tomatoes and only a slightly higher 53% from the audience score. However, most of the praise went to the cast. The movie also did well at the box office, but it didn’t make enough to become profitable thanks to the bloated budget ($150 million).
23 Doctor Strange (2016)
The Marvel Wizard Makes His Way Into The MCU
Doctor Strange
Enter the world of Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a world-famous neurosurgeon whose car accident left him unable to use his hands. As he desperately tries to find a cure to enable his hands to perform operations again, he comes across a world that leads to another dimension. After being taught about the different dimensions and learning about the constant threat that looms on Earth, he began to embrace his role as the humble protector. Taking after the responsibilities of the Ancient One who trained him before her demise, Strange goes on to become the Sorcerer Supreme himself.
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*Availability in US Director Scott Derrickson Release Date October 25, 2016 Studio(s) Marvel Studios Cast Tilda Swinton , Benedict Wong , Michael Stuhlbarg , Mads Mikkelsen , Scott Adkins , Benedict Cumberbatch , Rachel McAdams , Chiwetel Ejiofor
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In Marvel Comics, Doctor Strange is known as the Sorcerer Supreme and is the main source of magic in the heroes’ community. In 2016, he made his way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his origin story in Doctor Strange.
In this movie, Stephen Strange is a brilliant neurosurgeon who lost the use of his hands in a terrible auto accident and decides to seek out magic to regain those abilities. However, along the way, he becomes the Earth’s most powerful sorcerer and one of its greatest heroes. The movie goes deep into the magic of the Marvel Universe, with evil sorcerers on Earth and from other dimensions vying for control.
The MCU also went all out with the visual appearance of the magical moments, earning an Oscar nomination for the effects crew’s work. Doctor Strange was really the MCU’s first venture into horror on the big screen, with legendary horror director Sam Raimi at the helm for the sequel. This introduced one of the MCU’s most important characters and created a world of magic for future movies.
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22 Constantine (2005)
A DC Universe Magical Thriller Starring Keanu Reeves
Constantine
Constantine, directed by Francis Lawrence and released in 2005, stars Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a supernatural detective. Based on the DC Comics Hellblazer series, the film follows Constantine as he battles against dark forces from the underworld with the help of a determined police officer, played by Rachel Weisz. The film meshes elements of horror and action as Constantine navigates a demonic landscape.
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*Availability in US Director Francis Lawrence Release Date February 18, 2005 Cast Keanu Reeves , Rachel Weisz , Shia LaBeouf , Djimon Hounsou , Max Baker , Pruitt Taylor Vince
In 2005, the DC Universe antihero John Constantine got a film of his own. It was a critical flop but has been reappraised as a misunderstood cult classic. The movie cast Keanu Reeves as Constantine, a cynical exorcist who can communicate with angels and demons and realizes that neither Heaven nor Hell wants him. The biggest downfall to the movie at the time of its release is that Reeves’ version is not the character from the Hellblazer comics.
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While a better adaptation arrived with Matt Ryan as a more loyal version of the character in the NBC TV series that ended up transitioning to Legends of Tomorrow on The CW, fans have since looked back on Reeves’ movie in a more favorable light. The movie picked up a cult following, and there have been hints that a sequel could happen, even with the TV version remaining popular. Reeves will return if the Constantine sequel ends up getting a green light.
21 Matilda (1996)
The Roald Dahl Story Of A Young Girl With Magical Powers
Matilda
Matilda is the 1996 live-action movie adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a child prodigy who develops telekinetic powers while dealing with her abusive family and her school’s dictatorial principal Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) with the help of her teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz). Danny DeVito directs the film and plays Matilda’s father, Harry.
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*Availability in US Director Danny DeVito Release Date June 28, 1996 Studio(s) Sony Cast Danny DeVito , Mara Wilson , Pam Ferris
Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda tells the story of a young, intelligent six-year-old girl who lives with emotionally abusive parents and ends up in a school with a physically and mentally abusive principal.
However, when she finds an ally in her teacher, Miss Honey, and soon discovers she possesses magical powers that can make anything possible, she finally has a way to stand up to her victimizers and defend not only herself but also her classmates and her beloved teacher.
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The movie was a huge success when it came out, with a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score but only a small box office take. Despite the box office, it became a hit on home video. It is a magical film similar to Harry Potter in that it shows a child in a bad situation who finds that magic can help them rise above the pain and despair. Matilda has remained a beloved magical children’s movie and received a remake as Matilda the Musical in 2022, which had a limited release before hitting Netflix.
20 Now You See Me (2013)
A Group Of Magicians Pull Off Heists
Now You See Me PG-13
In the 2013 heist movie Now You See Me, a group of magicians known as “The Four Horsemen” perform elaborate heists during their shows. Meanwhile, FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) and Interpol detective Alma Drey (Mélanie Laurent) track them down to stop them from pulling off their biggest crime yet. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco star as the criminals, while Morgan Freeman plays an expert magician and Michael Caine portrays the team’s sponsor.
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*Availability in US Release Date May 31, 2013 Director Louis Leterrier Cast Woody Harrelson , Mélanie Laurent , Jesse Eisenberg , Michael Caine , Dave Franco , Morgan Freeman , Common , Isla Fisher , Mark Ruffalo Runtime 115 minutes
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Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson reunited after Zombieland to star in Now You See Me. This movie revolves around four magicians who call themselves the Four Horsemen and pull off elaborate heists in the hopes of getting into an order of “actual magicians” called The Eye. The film features many great sleight-of-hand tricks and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments. The supporting cast features Mark Ruffalo as the FBI agent tracking the Robin Hood-inspired Four Horsemen along with Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman.
Related 7 Movies Magic & Sleight Of Hand Tricks Praised By Magicians
Some films go the extra mile to create authentic and convincing tricks in movies. Magicians gave their stamp of approval for these films high quality.
While the performances are good and the magical elements inspired, the script is unintentionally silly at best. Now You See Me’s ending is complex, but it is excellent popcorn entertainment, and it went on to inspire a franchise. Unlike many magic movies, this one is about magicians and magic tricks, not actual magic powers. This release is more a heist movie than a film about magic, but treats the roles of magicians seriously.
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19 Willow (1988)
A Magical Journey By Ron Howard
Willow PG
In Ron Howard’s 1988 fantasy film, the titular Willow (Warwick Davis) must go on a quest to protect a human baby from the clutches of the evil Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh) with the help of mercenary Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and a cast of other colorful fantasy characters. Although it never quite achieved cult-classic status, the movie did launch Davis’ career, and led to the creation of a sequel television series on Disney+ in 2022.
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*Availability in US Release Date May 20, 1988 Director Ron Howard Cast Jean Marsh , Val Kilmer , Joanne Whalley , Patricia Hayes , Warwick Davis Runtime 126 minutes
Ron Howard’s Willow certainly has its merits and is one of the best movies about magic. The fantasy film stars Warwick Davis as a farmer named Willow who must babysit a child destined to defeat the evil Queen Bavmorda. On his journey, Willow masters his powers of sorcery, helped by brownies, fairies, and Val Kilmer as the swordsman Madmartigan.
The newly confident Willow defeats Bavmorda and learns that good triumphs over evil — because this is a fantasy film, after all. Willow was not well-received at the time, but it has since developed a cult following. With a score from James Horner and effects from ILM, it’s a match made in fantasy heaven. Thanks to its cult following, a Willow spinoff series aired on Disney+ with Warwick Davis reprising the role of the titular Willow.
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18 Practical Magic (1998)
Two Sisters Seek Love Despite A Magical Curse
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8.8/10 Practical Magic PG-13
Practical Magic is a romantic fantasy film directed by Griffin Dunne, featuring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, born into a family of witches. Living under a curse that dooms any man they fall in love with to an untimely death, the sisters navigate love, loss, and their magical heritage while confronting family secrets and societal prejudices.
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*Availability in US Release Date October 16, 1998 Director Griffin Dunne Cast Nicole Kidman , Sandra Bullock , Stockard Channing , Dianne Wiest , Goran Visnjic , Aidan Quinn , Evan Rachel Wood , Mark Feuerstein Runtime 104 Minutes
Though Nicole Kidman starred in a disappointing Bewitched adaptation by Nora Ephron, there was a better movie where she played a witch with Sandra Bullock in the rom-com Practical Magic.
Based on the eponymous Alice Hoffman novel, Practical Magic is the story of two sisters with magical powers that come with a curse: any man who falls in love with them dies. The movie is named after the magic they specialize in, as they use practical magic to get by. The sister soon set out to destroy the evil spirit of one of their abusive boyfriends.
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There are plenty of spells and hexes to entertain the most hardened cynic. While the film isn’t a masterpiece by any stretch, it uses magical elements to tell a potent and enjoyable love story. The movie has since picked up a cult following and a Practical Magic sequel is in the works over two decades later.
17 Lord Of Illusions (1995)
Directed By Horror Author Clive Barker
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Lord of Illusions RHorrorFantasy
Lord of Illusions follows New York private investigator Harry D’Amour as he becomes entangled with a fanatical cult in Los Angeles. The cult members are intent on resurrecting their deceased leader Nix, a formidable magician, who was killed thirteen years prior. Released on August 25, 1995.
Release Date August 25, 1995 Director Clive Barker Cast Kevin J. O’Connor , Scott Bakula , Famke Janssen , Joel Swetow , Daniel von Bargen , Barry Del Sherman , Joseph Latimore , Sheila Tousey , Vincent Schiavelli , Ashley Tesoro , J. Trevor Edmond , Wayne Grace , Jordan Marder , Susan Traylor , Joanna Sanchez , McNally Sagal , Danny Woodburn , Johnny Venokur , Barry Shabaka Henley , Keith Brunsmann , Mikey LeBeau , Jimmy Shaw , Daniel Edward Mora , Billy McComb , Lorin Stewart Runtime 119 minutes Expand
Clive Barker’s work varies from incredibly grotesque and horrific to mildly terrifying and still a little gross. His Hellraiser and Nightbreed rank among the best the horror genre has to offer. One of his lesser-known adaptations is the 1995 movie Lord of Illusions. Scott Bakula played Barker’s iconic Harry D’Amour in the film, marking the character’s first appearance on the silver screen. Barker wrote and directed the film, which is about a man who can use pure magic, called “The Puritan.”
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Harry D’Amour exists in the same novel universe as the cenobites and Pinhead from
Hellraise
r.
Detective D’Amour takes a case involving a murdered psychic and the film benefits from spectacular practical make-up and effects, and magic unique to Barker’s imagination. The movie is only loosely based on Barker’s The Last Illusion, and it is instead mostly a new story with the popular novel character. It received mixed reviews, and this was the last appearance of Harry D’Amour on the big screen.
16 Hocus Pocus (1993)
One Of The Most Iconic Witch Movies
Hocus Pocus PGComedyFamilyFantasyHorror
Hocus Pocus tells the story of the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy on Halloween. When the witches threaten to take over the town of Salem, Massachusetts, it’s up to Max, sister Dani, and friend Alison to stop them with the help of Thackery Binx, one of the Sandersons’ victims trapped in the immortal body of black cat.
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*Availability in US Cast Bette Midler , Sarah Jessica Parker , Kathy Najimy , Omri Katz , Thora Birch , Vinessa Shaw Director Kenny Ortega Release Date July 16, 1993 Runtime 96 minutes
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The Sanderson sisters are some of the most beloved characters in Halloween-themed cinema, and the trio are the most memorable characters in one of the best movies about magic. Played by the talented Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Milder, and Kathy Najimy, the witches have one goal: to be young and pretty again. Hocus Pocus is a great Halloween movie for kids of all ages.
Hocus Pocus 2
was released in 2022 as a Disney+.original movie.
Filled to the brim with extravagant costumes, silly spells, and buck teeth, it’s hard not to smile while watching the film. The performances are perfectly campy, though they work better for those seeking a bit of nostalgia. Fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Halloweentown won’t be disappointed. Viewers are also treated to Bette Milder performing “I Put a Spell on You” as a bonus. The film spawned a sequel nearly 20 years later in which the Sanderson sisters reprised their respective roles.
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15 Stardust (2007)
Based On The Story By Neil Gaiman
Stardust PG-13
Stardust is a fantasy-based romantic adventure-comedy by director Matthew Vaughn and based on the original novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess. In the film, Tristan, a young man who lives in an English town near a magical border wall, decides to catch a fallen star to win the affection of a woman named Yvaine. However, Tristan soon learns what – or who – the star is, and a grand adventure back to England begins.
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*Availability in US Release Date August 10, 2007 Director Matthew Vaughn Cast Claire Danes , Charlie Cox , Sienna Miller , Ricky Gervais , Jason Flemyng , Rupert Everett , Peter O’Toole , Michelle Pfeiffer , Robert De Niro Runtime 128 Minutes
In Matthew Vaughn’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel, there’s a pirate (Robert de Niro), unicorns, and a fallen star personified as a woman (Claire Danes). The story follows Tristan Thorn (Daredevil’s Charlie Cox), a young man who sets out to capture the fallen star for his beloved but falls in love with the star, becoming the master of his destiny.
It also introduces powerful witches who set out to capture the star’s magic for themselves, as Stardust is also a film about a trio of witches who want to remain young and beautiful. Stardust‘s supporting cast is spectacular, including Michelle Pfieffer, Mark Strong, Peter O’Toole, Ricky Gervais, Ian McKellen, and Henry Cavill.
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The magic on display by Gaiman is colorful and imaginative with strong world-building and great characters. The magic-based movie was released to positive reviews and was a minor box office success. It also won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation – Long Form.
14 The Craft (1996)
A Teen Coming-Of-Age Magic Movie
The Craft R
The Craft is a 1996 teen horror movie starring Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, and Rachel True. The Andrew Fleming-directed film focuses on a group of outcasts at an LA high school who practice witchcraft and create their own coven. The film received mixed reviews but was a surprise hit at the box office for Columbia.
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*Availability in US Release Date May 3, 1996 Director Andrew Fleming Cast Neve Campbell , Fairuza Balk , Robin Tunney , Rachel True Runtime 101 Minutes
One of the most popular movies about witches since the ’80s, The Craft is notable for its realistic portrayal of the consequences of spell-casting. While any decidedly un-sinister movie about witches makes room for a morality tale, The Craft is not afraid of getting dark and staying there. Following the story of four intelligent high school girls with incredible powers, The Craft features curses, spells, and more than one murder. This teenage coven is not to be messed with.
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Fairuza Balk returns as Nancy Downs in the sequel,
The Craft Legacy
.
The Craft is a cult classic that features fun performances, great magical effects, and a soundtrack full of hit songs. The film was a moderate success, grossing $55 million off a budget of $15 million. While it received mixed reviews when released, it has stood the test of time and even got a sequel in 2020 with a new group of young witches.
13 The Witch (2015)
One Of The Most Disturbing Movies About Magic
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9/10 The Witch R
Distributed by A24, The Witch marks the feature directorial debut of Robert Eggers and the first film appearance of Anya Taylor-Joy. Written by Eggers, The Witch follows a puritanical family in New England in the 1630s who are forced to leave their community after a religious dispute. Attempting to set up a farm in the New England countryside, the family soon find themselves beset by malevolent and supernatural forces beyond their comprehension.
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*Availability in US Release Date February 19, 2016 Director Robert Eggers Cast Kate Dickie , Wahab Chaudhry , Ellie Grainger , Ralph Ineson , Sarah Stephens , Lucas Dawson , Anya Taylor-Joy , Bathsheba Garnett , Harvey Scrimshaw , Julian Richings Runtime 92minutes
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2015’s The Witch, the directorial debut of Robert Eggers, features a decidedly dark take on magic and witchcraft. Seen through the lens of a fanatically religious seventeenth-century family, magic in The Witch is presented as an omen of death and horror.
Much of the film asks viewers to question if the events taking place are genuine or the byproducts of religious zealotry, but the final segment makes it clear that the film’s occult occurrences were very real.
It’s far removed from the cozy depiction of magic seen in most films and is one of the best magic movies about witches. When most people think about magical films, they don’t often consider something as uncomfortable and horrific as The Witch. On top of its critical acclaim (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), it was also a box office success and remains one of the best A24 movies of all time.
12 The Illusionist (2006)
Starring Edward Norton & Jessica Biel
The Illusionist PG-13
Set in 1889 Vienna, The Illusionist centers on Eisenheim (Ed Norton), a renowned magician, who uses his talents to rekindle a forbidden romance with Duchess Sophie. Their love affair is entangled with political conspiracy, leading to a series of mesmerizing performances and unexpected revelations that challenge reality itself.
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*Availability in US Release Date August 18, 2006 Director Neil Burger Cast Edward Norton , Paul Giamatti , Jessica Biel , Rufus Sewell , Eddie Marsan , Jake Wood Runtime 109 Minutes
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Starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel, The Illusionist is set in 19th-century Vienna, and the film tells the story of the illusionist Eisenheim and how he will go to be with his true love, Sophie. Because Sophie is a duchess and Eisenheim a peasant, their love is forbidden, and Sophie is set to marry the despicable Prince Leopold.
The lovers hatch a plan to use the powers of illusion to free Sophie from her arranged engagement and the city of Vienna of Leopold’s reign. The Illusionist features excellent scenes of magic that range from typical stage acts to summoning dead spirits.
Director Neil Burger ensured that the magic used in the movie remained accurate, as various stage magicians were brought in as consultants, including Ricky Jay, James Freedman, and Scott Penrose. Burger said, “Starting in pre-production, James (Freedman) became a major collaborator; brainstorming, designing and refining everything from small sleight of hand tricks to major narrative set pieces.” (via Magic Week)
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11 Labyrinth (1986)
David Bowie Stars As The Goblin King
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8.3/10 Labyrinth PG
Directed by Jim Henson and written by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, Labyrinth stars Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a teenage girl whose accidental wish that her baby brother be taken by the Goblin King results in an epic quest to save the baby from the King through a vast labyrinth, accompanied by its inhabitants. David Bowie also stars as Jareth, the Goblin King, and many of the characters are played by puppets created by Henson.
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*Availability in US Release Date June 27, 1986 Director Jim Henson Cast Christopher Malcolm , Toby Froud , Shelley Thompson , Jennifer Connelly , David Bowie Runtime 101 minutes
An undeniable fantasy classic, Labyrinth combines the best that the 1980s had to offer and is one of the best magic movies of any era. Between musician David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, fantastical puppets from Jim Henson Creature Shop, and beautiful sets, the film is a sight to behold. Thanks to director Jim Henson, Hoggle and Sir Didymus are incredibly memorable and practical puppets. Bowie and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah are the only human actors in the fantasy world.
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The story follows Sarah’s coming-of-age quest to rescue her infant brother Toby from the evil Goblin King that captured him. It is filled with magical beasts that wow the audience and as a story about magic, it wears its heart on its sleeve. While the movie underperformed at the box office, it became a monstrous success on home video and has become a cult classic.