25 films about magic for those who are tired of reality

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Adaptations of legendary books, Soviet masterpieces and modern reinterpretations of classic stories.

25. Practical magic

• USA, 1998.
• Fantasy, drama, comedy.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 3.

Sisters Sally and Gillian are witches who are haunted by the ancestral curse. All the men they fall in love with die young. After the death of her husband, Sally decided to remain lonely, and Gillian changes gentlemen before she becomes attached to them. Still, one unsuccessful relationship brings the sisters a lot of trouble.

The film was coolly received by critics, and at the box office it completely failed, not recouping the production. But over the years, the picture has become a cult. Largely thanks to the performers of the main roles: the charming witches were played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

24. Witchcraft

• USA, 1996.
• Horror, fantasy, thriller.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 4.

Sarah Bailey, 16, moves to Los Angeles with her mother and stepfather. At the new school, she meets three rogue girls who turn out to be witches. And soon the new friends realize that with the appearance of Sarah they will gather their coven and will be able to use stronger spells.

Director Andrew Fleming combined the history of witches with typical teenage drama. One of the main roles in the film was played by the future "Scream" star Neve Campbell. It is important for Russian viewers not to confuse this film with another 1988 Witchcraft - a cheap and low-quality horror film that has spawned as many as 13 sequels.

23. Throwing a deadly look

• USA, 1991.
• Fantasy, detective.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

In the Los Angeles of the 40s, private detective Harry Philip Lovecraft takes on the search for the famous book of spells "Necronomicon". And this is not surprising, because magic is used everywhere in this world, and gremlins, gargoyles and zombies live next to people.

HBO's inexpensive TV movie features an ironic take on traditional fantasy stories. He often refers to the works of Howard Philip Lovecraft, but shows a semblance of our world, perhaps with magic. In 1994, a sequel to The Witch Hunt was released, but it turned out to be less successful.

22. Eastwick Witches

• USA, 1987.
• Fantasy, comedy.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

Three friends live in a small American town. In their free time, they conjure and dream of meeting the perfect man. And soon a rich handsome man, whose name no one can remember, really arrives in the city. He gets closer to all the main characters, and they understand that the boyfriend also owns magic.

According to the critics of FILM: 'THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK', it was in this film that Jack Nicholson's comic talent was best revealed. He fits perfectly into the image of a charming man who embodies evil itself.

21. Morozko

• USSR, 1964.
• Fantasy, comedy, drama.
• Duration: 84 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

Sweet and kind Nastenka was unlucky with her stepmother. She constantly forced the girl to work, and then completely decided to quit freezing in a deep forest. Meanwhile, the handsome, but arrogant young man Ivan received a fair punishment for his rudeness and decided to reform. The good wizard Morozko will help both of them.

A real legend from the great Soviet director Alexander Rowe freely retells the Russian folk tale "Morozko". Millions of viewers, not only in the USSR, but also in other countries, fell in love with unusual and vivid characters. Georgy Millyar was especially remembered by the public as Baba Yaga. And Alexander Khvylya, who played Morozko, after that became the main Father Frost of the country for a long time.

20. Raven

• USA, 1963.
• Fantasy, horror, comedy.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

Once a raven flew into the window to the white magician Erasmus Craven, who lost his wife two years ago. It turned out that this is also a magician, only bewitched. He invites Craven to fight the black magician who has seized control of the Brotherhood.

It is easy to see that the plot of the picture is somewhat reminiscent of Edgar Alan Poe's poem "The Raven". However, the further plot is already an invention of the scriptwriters. Moreover, the authors decided on an unusual experiment: they invited the stars of horror films to the main roles, but at the same time they shot a comedy.

19. Witches

• UK, USA, 1990.
• Horror, comedy, fantasy.
• Duration: 91 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

The grandmother told the young orphan Luke about witches who pretend to be elderly women. And soon the boy had to face them right at the hotel on the sea coast. One of the sorcerers turned Luke into a mouse, and he was determined to destroy all the villains.

The film very accurately conveys the content of the original children's book by Roald Dahl. Only the authors of the film adaptation for some reason decided to add a happy ending to the plot. As a result, the writer urged 20 Crazy Revelations Behind The Making Of The Witches all his fans not to watch the last minutes of the picture.

18. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

• USA, UK, 2005.
• Fantasy, adventure.
• Duration: 143 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

Four children find a closet in the old professor's house, through which one can get to the fabulous country of Narnia. But the evil sorceress captured her, making an eternal winter. Now Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy must help the lion Aslan regain legal power.

Three films were made based on the famous series of books by Clive Staples Lewis about a country inhabited by wizards and all kinds of fabulous creatures. For a long time there were rumors about the fourth part. But then Netflix bought the rights to the film adaptation. The company plans to make several films and a series based on The Chronicles of Narnia, but it is not known whether they will continue the previous films or restart the story.

17. Hocus-Pocus

• USA, 1993.
• Fantasy, comedy.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

Three hundred years ago, three witches were hanged for drinking all the strength from a girl, and turning her brother into a black cat. The villains are resurrecting today and are going to eat all the children in the city before dawn. However, they are too keen on exploring the new world, and their enemy, the black cat, does not sleep.

Together with the already famous comedians Bette Midler and Katie Najimy, the still very young Sarah Jessica Parker starred in this funny film. Moreover, the actress herself claims From the Californian gold rush back to New England - Sarah Jessica Parker discovers her pioneering roots that one of her great-grandmothers in the tenth knee was really tried as a witch. As a result, she just ran away from the city.

16. Aladdin

• USA, 2019.
• Fantasy, adventure, musical.
• Duration: 128 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

Street thief Aladdin dreams of becoming a prince and marrying the beautiful princess of the city of Agroba. Meanwhile, the cunning vizier Jafar wants to overthrow the sultan and seize power. To do this, he sends Aladdin for a magic lamp, in which the Genie is imprisoned. But everything does not go according to the villain's plan, and the wishes of the poor young man are fulfilled.

Disney has been increasingly re-filming its popular cartoons with live actors in recent years. The new "Aladdin" added more contemporary themes and music and invited the charismatic Will Smith to play the Genie. But the whole main plot remained the same.

15. Maleficent

• USA, 2014.
• Fantasy, melodrama, adventure.
• Duration: 97 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

Once the young sorceress Maleficent, living in seclusion in the swamps, lost her wings and because of this was angry with the new king. On the day of the christening of his daughter Aurora, the heroine comes to the palace with an indestructible curse. Years go by, Maleficent is imbued with love for the girl and decides to save her. But the king is already obsessed with revenge.

This film is a rare exception when Disney drastically changed the plot by adapting its cartoon. The classic "Sleeping Beauty" is retold here from the point of view of the villainess. She ended up being kind, though.

14. Shazam

• USA, Canada, 2019.
• Fantasy, action, comedy.
• Duration: 132 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Young Billy Batson cannot settle down in foster families in any way. But one day a teenager meets a wizard who gives him incredible powers. Billy just shout the word "Shazam!" - and he turns into a superhero. Now it is the teenager who will have to fight the villain Thaddeus Sivana.

The DC Universe began with dark films, but then the authors undertook to adapt and lighter positive comics. The main character of "Shazam!" even in the guise of a superhero retains childish naivety and energy. And he gets his powers thanks to magic, so you don't even have to think about their logic or realism.

13. Old Man Hottabych

• USSR, 1956.
• Fantasy, comedy.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Pioneer Volka Kostylkov finds a sealed jug in the river. He dreams of discovering a treasure inside, but it turns out that the jinn Ghassan Abdurrahman ibn Hottab is imprisoned in the vessel. Now the wizard is ready to fulfill all Volka's wishes. And he, in turn, tries to explain to Hottabych how to live in the modern world.

The adaptation of the children's story by Lazar Lagin became a real hit in the USSR. Hottabych in the film was played by the famous actor Nikolai Volkov. But for Alexei Litvinov, the role of Volka turned out to be the only major work in the cinema.

12. Willow

• USA, 1988.
• Fantasy, adventure.
• Duration: 126 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

The evil sorceress Bavmorda, who rules a fabulous country, was predicted to die from a girl with a special mole. She ordered to put all pregnant women in a dungeon, but still that same child was secretly taken out of prison. The girl enters the land of dwarfs, and the kind novice wizard Willow Afgood wants to take her to a safe place. And on their trail is already an army of villains.

The script for this fabulous film was written by George Lucas himself - the author of Star Wars and Indiana Jones. It was directed by his longtime friend Ron Howard, who once starred in American Graffiti, Lucas's first successful work.

11. Sorcerers

• USSR, 1982.
• Fantasy, melodrama, musical.
• Duration: 147 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

Young handsome Ivan fell in love with the charming witch Alena, who works at NUINU (Scientific Universal Institute of Extraordinary Services). The couple should get married soon, but the deputy director of the institute Apollo Sataneev is making plans for the girl. Meanwhile, NUINU is working on the creation of a magic wand, which will be demonstrated to the public right before the New Year.

Formally, this New Year's film is based on the book by the Strugatsky brothers "Monday Starts on Saturday." Moreover, the authors of the original even acted as screenwriters for the film adaptation. But in fact, only the idea of an institution in which wizards work is left of the book. The rest of the plot was radically changed, turning political satire into a fairy tale.

10. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

• UK, USA, 2016.
• Fantasy, adventure.
• Duration: 132 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

Magician Newt Scamander, who searches and studies fantastic animals, goes to New York. He accidentally changes suitcases with Jakob Kowalski, and this leads to a chain of troubles. Meanwhile, local wizards are trying to find out the reasons for the destruction in the city.

The script for the film was written by J. K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter. And the action takes place in the same world, only much earlier.

9. Excalibur

• USA, UK, 1981.
• Fantasy, drama, adventure.
• Duration: 140 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

The wizard Merlin takes the sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake and gives it to King Uther. Then the magician helps the ruler to seduce Igraine, and in payment later takes her child Arthur and brings him up himself. Later, it is Merlin's disciple who will become the great king.

Of course, a selection of films about wizards would be incomplete without mentioning one of the most legendary magicians from Celtic mythology. Unfortunately, not many good films about Merlin have been made. Excalibur loosely but vividly retells the classic plot of The Death of Arthur by Thomas Malory. True, Merlin himself here looks like a real wizard, or just a cunning one.

8. Labyrinth

• Great Britain, USA, 1986.
• Fantasy.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

One day, young Sarah got angry with her brother and wished to be taken by the goblins. Immediately, the king of a fairy land rushed to them and dragged the child away. Now Sarah has only 13 hours to save the boy. During this time, she must go through a labyrinth in which monsters live.

This picture was shot by Jim Henson - the creator of the legendary "The Muppet Show". He perfectly combined a children's fairy tale and dark fantasy. But the main advantage of "Labyrinth" is David Bowie as the wizard Jared.

7. Doctor Strange

• USA, 2016.
• Fantasy, action.
• Duration: 115 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The ingenious but arrogant surgeon Stephen Strange had an accident and suffered many fractures. To recuperate, he goes to the mysterious place of Kamar-Taj in Tibet. There, the skeptical doctor opens up to the world of magic. And now it is Strange who must save the world from the sinister Dormammu.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is also not without wizards. It is interesting that in this world Tony Stark, who believes only in science, and Doctor Strange, whose powers are based on real magic, coexist.

6. Stardust

• UK, USA, 2007.
• Fantasy, adventure.
• Duration: 127 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Tristan Thorn from a small village promised his beloved that he would bring her a star that fell from the sky. He is carried over the wall that separates the settlement from the magical land. And then Tristan discovers that the star is actually the beautiful girl Ivaine. He wants to help her return to heaven, but the heroes will have to face many villains.

Director Matthew Vaughn directed this film based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. And he perfectly knows how to combine an exciting dynamic plot with a real fairy tale. In the magical world of Stardust, there are evil witches trying to bring back their youth, hijackers and all-powerful artifacts.

5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

• UK, USA, 2001.
• Fantasy, adventure.
• Duration: 152 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

A young orphan Harry Potter lives with his uncle and aunt, who do not like him at all. But on the eleventh birthday, the boy's life changes. The guest brings Harry a letter from which he learns about his magical origin and enrollment in the Hogwarts school of magic. The hero finds friends and soon embarks on dangerous adventures.

Of course, the Harry Potter films are the main story of magic at the beginning of the 21st century. The adventures of the "boy who survived" continued on screens for 10 years and eight films. And such wizards as Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and the grown-up Harry himself and his friends, have firmly entered the pantheon of the best screen magicians.

4. Mary Poppins

• USA, 1964.
• Fantasy, comedy, musical.
• Duration: 139 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

The Banks family with two restless children is looking for a new nanny. And then Mary Poppins flies right to their door on an umbrella. She behaves very strangely, but with her brother and sister embark on real magical adventures.

The magical nanny from the books of Pamela Travers is adored by many generations of children and adults. In the early 60s, Walt Disney got permission from the writer to film adaptation and created a very funny film that combined animation and acting. And in 1983, the USSR released its own version of "Mary Poppins, Goodbye", also stunningly beautiful and musical, but more sad.

3. Wizard of Oz

• USA, 1939.
• Fantasy, adventure, musical.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The tornado picked up the house of the girl Dorothy from Kansas and carried her along with the dog Toto to Oz. Dreaming of returning home, the heroine with new friends goes to the Emerald City, where a good wizard lives.

It is ironic that the hero, after whom the book and its adaptation were named, just does not possess any magical powers. But there are plenty of other good witches and evil witches in the country. And the filmmakers did a very unusual thing: when the action takes place in Kansas, the picture is black and white, but in a fairy tale everything is painted with the brightest colors.

2. An ordinary miracle

• USSR, 1978.
• Fantasy, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 137 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

One day, out of boredom, the wizard decided to turn the bear into a man. And he said that he would return to his previous state when the princess fell in love with him. At the behest of the same magician, the king was passing by with his retinue and daughter.

Mark Zakharov is known for his love of fairy tale tragicomedies. He shot the pictures "The Same Munchausen", "To Kill the Dragon", "The House That Swift Built". And Oleg Yankovsky played in all of the above tapes. In "An Ordinary Miracle" he got a very controversial role of a wizard. Omnipotent people can be quite cruel from idleness.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

• USA, New Zealand, 2001.
• Fantasy, adventure, drama.
• Duration: 178 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

The hobbit Frodo, who lived modestly in the Shire, unexpectedly became the most important inhabitant of Middle-earth. It is he who must destroy the ring of omnipotence and prevent the evil wizard Sauron from returning to the world. To help Frodo on a difficult journey, his friends and best warriors are taken.

Of course, in the first place is the great saga, which was once invented by the writer John R. R. Tolkien, and the director Peter Jackson transferred to the screens. No wonder Frodo is accompanied by one of the most famous wizards of literature - Gandalf.