THE MAGICAL MOVIES AND TV TO WATCH DURING SPOOKY SEASON
Spooky season is here and with it comes ‘smoke and mirrors’ day. Though I don’t suspect this means anything in the larger scale of culture given we are in autumn and spooky season, I thought looking at movies that have these themes might be fun. This is why we’re looking at mysterious smoke and mirror stories or the titles that fit a magic movies list. The question is will we find titles to fit this? Let’s find out.
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From magic to magicians and some mysterious mysteries influenced by magic, I think we’ll find some fun titles to fit.
SMOKE and MIRROR aka MAGIC MOVIES LIST
DEATH DEFYING ACTS
Catherine Zeta-Jones stars in this film as a woman who sets out to con Harry Houdini, a man who begins an affair with her. This also features a young Saoirse Rona stars alongside Zeta-Jones, Timothy Spall and Guy Pearce.
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HOUDINI (1953)
Tony Curtis stars as the titular man in this 50s title that likely fits the magic movies tag well about the magician who consistently pushes his physical limits in pursuit of the next great trick. It features Janet Leigh as well and has a pretty high user rating on Amazon.
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HOUDINI (MINISERIES)
A History Channel miniseries, Adrien Brody stars as Harry Houdini. I’ve not seen this two part production however it seems to have high user ratings, and tells the story of Houdini pushing himself to accomplish “feats of strength that amazed all.”
Stream, at publication, on Freevee, Prime or Tubi
THE MAGICAL MOVIES AND TV TO WATCH DURING SPOOKY SEASON. A list of #Spooky movies with themes of #magic! #SpookyMovies #MovieList Share on XHOUDINI and DOYLE (TV SERIES)
A TV show that didn’t last, these ten episodes operate more as a miniseries because of this. The series features Michel Weston as Houdini and chronicles his crime solving with friend Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle (the man who created Sherlock Holmes) played by Stephen Mangan.
Fun fact, this also features a young Emily Carey from Netflix’s Geek Girl and Rebecca Liddiard from The Frankie Drake Mysteries.
Digitally purchase or rent on places like Amazon
THE ILLUSIONIST
This is probably the one title I immediately thought of for this list. It’s ideal and all about a ‘smoke and mirrors’ kind of concept. It’s also beautiful. Edward Norton plays a kind of version of a con man who puts on impressive shows each night playing to the wealthiest class in Vienna including royalty. When he becomes a bit too interested in a beautiful woman the prince intends to have for himself, this sets into motion events no one could possibly imagine. Rufus Sewall, Jessica Biel and Paul Giamatti also star in this beautifully atmospheric drama. magic movies
Stream, at publication, on Peacock, Prime or Roku Channel
JONATHAN STRANGE and MR. NORRELL
This isn’t anything I saw, but back when it was a popular series, I did read a review or two that was quite positive. It’s an alternate universe story set during the Napoleonic Wars and featuring the talents of Charlotte Riley, Eddie Marsan, and Marc Warren.
Stream, at publication, on Prime
NEXT
Nicholas Cage stars in this film about a magician who can see moments into the future. His act comes the attention of the FBI who require he help them in their investigations. The film, if I remember right, is ultimately one where the hero makes a kind of sacrifice in order to protect a woman he cares about.
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NOW YOU SEE ME
A modern film that is actually a title very fitting of a magic movies tag about a group of magicians who perform the grandest heist all while appearing live on stage in front of a crowd. Questions remain unanswered as to the “how” of this heist and as the FBI chases these magicians, they seem to remain one step ahead. This also has a sequel that is appropriate titled Now You See Me 2, but the first in this case is way better. The films have done well enough to announce plans for a third film likely arriving in theaters in 2025.
Stream, at publication, on Amazon Prime
THE PRESTIAGE
A story about dueling magicians, this film is dark and goes to creepy places. Not necessarily because of what we see but because of the emotional upheaval and the tragedy of how and where the characters end up. Popular star Hugh Jackman leads the cast which includes Scarlett Johansson and Christian Bale.
Digitally rent or purchase on places like Amazon Video
PUSHING DAISIES
A television show, yes, this feels more like a quick binge watch because ABC gifts it only two seasons. The plot is quirky and won’t appeal to some, but Lee Pace’s hero is a man who is able to bring to life dead people for a matter of minutes before they must die again (if he doesn’t touch them again returning them to death, someone else must die). He does this while helping a detective solve cases, and does so successfully until he runs across his ex love.
The show is cute and funny and sweet, and I love the concept and look of it all. Also in the cast is Anna Friel and Kristin Chenoweth too. magic movies
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ROUGH MAGIC
Bridget Fonda stars in this 90s film about a woman escaping her wealthy fiancé and the lengths she goes to escape him chasing the skill she’s good at, magic. The film is slow-moving, but if you don’t mind this, it may be worth seeing just for the surprisingly impressive cast.
Russell Crowe, D.W. Moffett and Jim Broadbent also star.
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SCOOP
This 2006 film from Woody Allen features Allen putting on a magic show. It’s been years since I saw this film so details are fuzzy to say the least, but I think it’s another film I wanted to love and is another Allen film I didn’t like. The cast is impressive though featuring Scarlett Johansson and Hugh Jackman.
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SHERLOCK HOLMES
The feature film with Robert Downey Jr. is one of those films that is heavily influenced by magic. It’s main baddie is all about using smoke and mirrors and using misdirection. I don’t think this film is considered a faithful adaptation to the original Sherlock Holmes novels, but it is terribly entertaining. Jude Law plays his faithful sidekick and Yellowstone‘s Kelly Reilly is sassy and fabulous as Mary.
Stream, at publication, on places like Max
THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
I don’t think I’ve seen this film but it uses the Merlin legend and seems like a befitting magic movies title as the theme seems to play a big role in the overall story so we’re including this Nicholas Cage film.
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THEY DO IT WITH MIRRORS
An Agatha Christie story, this one has been made and remade many times (perhaps the most popular is the 1991 and 2009 adaptation). Its most recent was as part of the Masterpiece Theatre’s Agatha Christie’s Marple series. The plot is all about a philanthropic friend of Miss Marple who ends up having murder surround her home for delinquents. There’s some romance and interesting relationship connections as well. Plus, a kind of magic plays into the murder with the use of illusion.
The guest cast in the 2009 version includes Joan Collins, Brian Cox, and Penelope Wilton.
Stream, at publication, on BritBox (2009 adaptation)
There are, of course, many other movies with a magical component. For this list, since I try to avoid replicating titles on lists too much, I wanted it to mostly stay with the magician theme.
Now, it’s your turn! Tell us, which titles did we neglect? Which ones have you seen? What magician and magic movies do you enjoy watching? Comment all of your thoughts in the comment section below.
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