Movies About Magicians
Movies are all about magic. They can whisk us away to strange new lands, show us the impossible, and create images that we could never expect to see in real life.
Thus, how could you possibly get more magical than a film about magicians?
Magicians are well known for continually blowing our minds with tricks that defy all meaning and what we know about the world around us.
So which films show off the glory and wonder of magicians and their craft best? What are the most entertaining, or acclaimed films about magicians? Let’s find out now. Read on to see.
The Prestige (2006)
Christopher Nolan is easily one of the biggest directors in modern film. Perhaps no director is more gifted in creating amazing imagery intertwined with beautiful and complex stories.
This Thriller follows the story of feuding magicians who compete to create the ultimate illusion.
This film features some truly amazing magic that will blow your mind and have you wondering how any of it was possible.
And the story of the two feuding magicians, played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, is incredibly engaging, as you watch them consistently try to one-up one another and watch as the stakes grow higher and higher.
Christopher Nolan, who is known for directing amazing and mind-bending thrillers is the perfect director to tackle a tale of highly-skilled magicians going head to head in a tense battle of wits. We cannot recommend this film enough.
Nightmare Alley (2021)
You can tell that this film is definitely top class, as it was nominated for best picture at the 2022 Oscars!
The film, directed by Guillermo Del Toro follows the story of a professional grifter known for his amazing sleight of hand as he worms his way through the world of magic to make money.
This film tells a slightly darker story all about manipulation and how magic and sleight of hand can be used to achieve dastardly ends.
It also gives us a glimpse into the dark side of magic, showing just how dangerous the craft can be.
This is a great film to watch if you want something thrilling, and with an excellently twisty plot.
You won’t be able to look at card tricks the same again after watching Nightmare Alley.
The Illusionist (2006)
Another big magician hit from 2006 is The Illusionist.
This film has a slightly more positive tone and stars Edward Norton as a magician in 1899 who pursues the art of magic in an attempt to pursue the love of a woman that is way out of his league.
This is a perfect film to check out if you want something that is both exciting and romantic.
The story is always engaging and takes some pretty surprising turns at many moments, which makes it hard not to fall in love with the characters.
The performances from Edward Norton and Jessica Biel are totally unmatched and still shine through wonderfully to this day. The two give their all to their performances, and they really do deserve every ounce of praise they receive.
If you’re looking for a film that is full of romance, excitement, and mystery then The Illusionist is a perfect choice.
Now You See Me (2013)
This film manages to blend together a heist thriller in the vein of Ocean’s Eleven with sleight of hand magic tricks to create a very suspenseful and engaging thriller film that will keep you engaged throughout its entire runtime.
The film is focused on a team of illusionists and magicians that pull off various bank heists before then rewarding their rapt audiences with the money earned from their deeds.
The team is made up of actors including Jesse Eisenberg, Common, Woody Harrelson, and Isla Fisher.
The chemistry within the leading team is truly palpable, and this is thanks to the talents of the actors that play them, and the strong script that they are working with.
Make sure to check out this film if you like your films filled with thrills, action, and drama.
The creative team behind this film has truly pulled off something beautiful and amazing here. It’s also well worth checking out the sequel if you can!
Sleight (2016)
Sleight is a wonderful drama film that involves the art of street magic.
It follows the story of a young magician who uses his amazing sleight of hand tricks to make money to keep a roof over his and his sister’s heads after the death of their parents.
However, our young protagonist must put his amazing magician skills to the test in order to save his sister when she is suddenly kidnapped.
How he applies his skills throughout the film is truly awe-inspiring and will have you feeling so excited as you wait to find out what he will pull off next.
This film is also quite uplifting, as it shows what hard work and dedication can achieve, especially when applied to something that you are passionate about.
The Escape Artist (1982)
This film follows a young magician named Danny Masters who attempts to follow in the footsteps of his famous magician father.
Danny has already developed some serious skills even at such a young age, but he still has an awful lot left to learn.
This film takes a slightly more subdued and laid back approach to the art of magic, by showing the history of its protagonist, to see what he learned over the course of his life and the way he has applied them across it.
This film makes for quite a relaxing watch but is also incredibly engaging, and offers a great insight into the world of magic. You may even find yourself getting quite emotional thanks to the beautiful writing.
To Conclude
These films are easily accessible to anyone interested in seeing how magic works, or just want to enjoy a good flick. They all offer something different and interesting to watch, making them ideal for any occasion.
There are quite a few films about magicians, but none compare to the ones we have explored today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Now You See Me 1 And 2 Connected?
Yes. Both Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 are in fact connected. The second film follows directly from the events of the first, which makes them perfect to watch back to back for a film night!
Is Harry Potter A Magician?
Technically, Harry Potter is actually a wizard though he does perform magic, as such, he is often confused for a magician. Magicians do not actually perform magic, and instead, create illusions to suggest the existence of magic.
Was Eisenheim A Real Person?
The character of Eisenheim in the film The Illusionist was not in fact a real person, though his character was based on a short story written by Steven Millhauser.
If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy our post on ‘Movies About Friendship‘.
