If you like magical moments and movies, you might think that the great Harry Potter films are the only magic or mystical movies available. But, you are wrong! There are many more of the Best Movies Based On Magic available, you just have to look! Some of these movies are older, some of them are animated, and even more, some of them are actually based on popular magicians like Harry Houdini. But, they all have one thing in common; good old magic! Whether its magic by technology, sleight of hand, or something else altogether, you are really going to enjoy these movies for years to come. Listed below are the Best Movies Based On Magic:
10. Harry Potter Movies
This movie is on almost every single list for the Best Movies Based On Magic. Its obvious why. It includes our main character Harry Potter who is a wizard. Harry is a quiet boy who is oftentimes neglected by his aunt and uncle. But, he is to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There are about 10 different movies revolving around Harry Potter.
9. 7 Faces of Dr. Lao
Most of the reviews you read about this movie and the Best Movies Based On Magic, will say that the reason they loved the movie SO much was because nothing was as it seemed which means that for you, this movie will be intriguing and unique. Tony Randall plays the ringmaster of a traveling circus who unleashes a sort of magical mysticism on a small little town in Arizona. Dr. Lao has a multitude of faces, personalities and tricks up his sleeve.
8. The Sword in the Stone (animated)
This is another movie based on the very early years of King Arthur and Merlin the magician. Definitely a should see – even if it is a mere “cartoon.” The movie of course, is based around the sword in a stone that Arthur finds while running back to a jousting match in need of a sword.
7. Excalibur
When a lot of people think about “magic” in movies and magicians or wizards or even the Best Movies Based On Magic in real life they think about two specific names: Harry Houdini and Merlin the Magician. While these two characters are quite different from each other, they still exude a certain sense of fantasy and magic. Excalibur introduces you to the world of Merlin the Magician helping Arthur Pendragon unite the Britones to the round table of knights.
6. Hugo
This might be a movie that you missed, but it’s not something you SHOULD really miss out on! This is a movie that has quite a bit of magic involved in it. It doesn’t matter if it’s via mechanical or real magic, this movie is full of it. The director of Hugo is none other than Martin Scorsese and is based on stage performer Georges Melies. The movie shows how Melies used his training as a small time performer to become an expert in the field.
5. The Magician
The year was 1958. Even though producers didn’t have as many tech advances then as they have today, this is a movie that is full of amazing shots. The movie stars a cast that includes Max Von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin and Bibi Andersson. The Magician is a film about a traveling magician and his group getting caught in a particularly interesting situation and getting investigated by the police.
4. Houdini
his is a movie from 1953 that was directed by George Marshall. Tony Curtis plays The Great Houdini. One of the reasons people really loved this movie was because it proved mystic versus realism when it came to Houdini, his life and how he died. It also includes a lot of in-movie tricks that are synonymous with Houdini. The magical advisor for this movie was Dunninger.
3. The Raven (1963)
Not only is this a film loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe’s tale The Raven, but it also features a really great and classic cast with Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and the amazing Boris Karloff all of whom are magicians involved in a duel of sorts. It’s a fun movie, a little campy, but very colorful with a lot of surprises. This is an older movie, but if you give it a chance, you will see what all of the fuss is about. Honestly, if a movie has Vincent Price and Karloff, how could it not be good?
2. The Great Kandinsky
If you like Houdini type movies, you will love this one! This is a movie that was directed in 1995 by Terry Windsor and stars Richard Harris who is a retired escapologist who now resides in a nursing home. Doesnt sound like much to be excited about, right? It was named as being one of the top movies for its charm, but also its breathtaking cinematics and tricks. The whole plot of the movie actually revolves around Kandinsky and wanting to do one more trick, just one more show.
1. The Prestige
This movie features a film by Christopher Nolan in 2006 that was made originally as a novel. The Prestige deals with a great bit of revenge versus competition between two of the top rivals in the magic world.The film itself has stars such as Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. Both magicians have a secret tale to tell and the movie tells you about both of their lives and how they got to where they are now. Two of the most popular events in the movie are The Bullet Catch and Water Torture. Definitely an edge of your seat movie that keeps you interested in the movie and the characters, while also doing some cool magic tracks along the way. If you like Christian Bale or Hugh Jackman in any other movies they previously have done, you will love this one with two box office celebs.
