25 Best Movies About Magic Ever Made

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.

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

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.

29 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

A Band Of Heroes Take On An Ancient Evil

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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).

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

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.

22 Constantine (2005)

A DC Universe Magical Thriller Starring Keanu Reeves

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

19 Willow (1988)

A Magical Journey By Ron Howard

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.

18 Practical Magic (1998)

Two Sisters Seek Love Despite A Magical Curse

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.

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

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.”

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

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.

15 Stardust (2007)

Based On The Story By Neil Gaiman

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.

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

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.

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

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

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)

11 Labyrinth (1986)

David Bowie Stars As The Goblin King

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.

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.