The Fifth Harry Potter is now a thing of the past and Muggles all around the world now have to wait another year to see another Harry Potter movie. But don’t fret because JK Rowlings didn’t invent magic. Magic was around way before Harry Potter and friends and will live on way past Harry Potter. So if you’re looking for a movie about magic and just can’t wait for the next Harry Potter movie then here are ten fun magic movies to rent or buy.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is one of many Disney movies to feature a witch and like Mary Poppins this witch is a good witch. The witch takes a trio of orphans on a ride on a magical bed. Along the way the kids encounter underwater adventures, Nazi invaders and cartoon animals that play football.
Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The movie based on the classic C.S. Lewis novel is about a magical wardrobe that transports four kids into a magical land filled with talking beavers, centaurs, and other strange beasts. Unfortunately the entire land has been cursed with winter all year round, a curse that was conjured up by the evil White Witch. The good news is that another mystical creature in the form of a Lion is on its way to save Narnia.
Labyrinth
I must confess. This entire article is just an excuse to talk about Labyrinth and the most magical actress of them all, Jennifer Connelly. Although in the Labyrinth the character with all the power is David Bowie’s Jareth. Jareth, the Goblin King, shows many magical capabilities such as appearing out of thin air and somehow creating a magical apple that will make Sarah forget why she came to his Labyrinth.
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is well known for its hobbits and battles but magic plays a big part in the movies as well. There are two wizards, Gandalf and Saruman, that have important parts on the two opposing sides in the Lord of the Rings series as they battle over the ring that rules them all.
Mary Poppins
When the Harry Potter books and movies first came out many people complained about how it encouraged magic but I bet none of those same people had a problem with Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins shows all kinds of magical abilities such as flying with her umbrella, causing a gust of wind to get rid of the other nanny candidates and of course, jumping into paintings.
Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back
Come on. We all know that “the force” is basically just geek speak for magic. Lifting a space ship up in the air? That’s magic. Moving objects my pointing? That’s magic. Deflecting lasers with your eyes closed? That’s magic. Choking somebody with the flick of your wrist? That’s magic. A brother and sister liking each other? That’s…disturbing.
Sword in the Stone
Disney’s Sword in the Stone was the story of King Arthur at the age of 12. King Arthur comes across a sword that only he can pull from the stone it is stuck in. During most of the movie King Arthur is taught by an old and wise wizard, Merlin. One of the best scenes in Sword in the Stone comes when Merlin uses his magic to duel a witch named Mim.
The Neverending Story
The Neverending Story is made up mainly of strange creatures like wolf-vampires, rock creatures and a giant flying dog. Though there aren’t magical spells used in the movie it is clear that there is something magical about the book that Bastian is reading.
The Prestige
The Prestige is a little bit different than most of the movies on this list. It’s definitely a more adult, dark movie and rather than fantasy magic like wizards and witches it is just a story of two regular feuding magicians. The Prestige features a great performance by Christian Bale, good supporting cast, a wonderfully told story and a great swerve ending that will keep you thinking for a while. The Prestige was probably the best movie of 2006.
Willow
Before those lovable Hobbits came to the big screen in Lord of the Rings we got to see another race of little people in Willow. Willow starred Warwick Davis the ultimate little actor. Willow was an aspiring wizard that honed his skills while protecting a human baby. Willow’s magical repertoire included an acorn that turned people in to stone, which was mocked by Madmartigan, the greatest swordsman that ever lived.
