Top 20 Movies That Make You Believe in Magic

Certain films offer more than just entertainment; they transport you to magical realms where anything seems possible. Whether they’re timeless adventures or today’s animated hits, these movies draw on myths, fairy tales, and the supernatural to create a true sense of wonder. Here are twenty films that will unlock that feeling and pull you into a world of imagination.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Judy Garland plays Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas who is magically transported to the Land of Oz by a tornado. The movie follows Dorothy’s adventure down the Yellow Brick Road with her new friends – the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion – as they all try to find the Wizard. Famous for its beautiful use of color and iconic songs like “Over the Rainbow,” the film has become a classic and is considered historically important, earning a place in the National Film Registry.

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

This story follows Westley and Buttercup as they navigate a world filled with sword fights, magical events, and a powerful love story. It’s presented as a grandfather reading a book to his grandson, giving the tale a fun and humorous feel. Along the way, Westley is helped by memorable characters like Inigo Montoya and Fezzik. The film cleverly mixes fantasy and comedy, and has become a beloved classic known for its many quotable lines.

‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (2001)

The movie starts with Harry finding out he’s a wizard and beginning his education at Hogwarts. We’re introduced to important characters like Hermione, Ron, and Professor Dumbledore, and learn about the wizarding world – including the game of Quidditch and the different school houses. The story revolves around a magical stone that promises eternal life and the villain who wants to steal it. This film kicked off a hugely popular series and set the look and feel for its fantastical world.

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Chihiro accidentally enters a magical world of spirits and discovers her parents have been turned into animals. To save them, she takes a job at a bathhouse for the gods, where she’s helped by a mysterious boy named Haku and encounters strange beings like Yubaba and No Face. Throughout her journey, Chihiro learns about the importance of identity and finding her bravery. The film is beautifully animated with detailed, hand-drawn visuals and a richly imagined world. It won an Academy Award and is considered a groundbreaking achievement in animation.

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)

As a film buff, I was completely captivated by this movie! It’s set in Spain after the war and follows a young girl named Ofelia who encounters a faun and is given these incredibly daunting challenges. What’s so brilliant is how it blends a really dark, fantastical fairy tale with the brutal realities of history. The creature design is phenomenal – they used amazing practical effects and makeup to create beings like the Pale Man, which are truly unforgettable. It’s no surprise the film racked up a ton of Academy Awards, especially for its stunning cinematography, art direction, and makeup – everything looked incredible!

‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)

Julie Andrews stars as a practically perfect nanny who brings joy and music to a family in need. The movie creatively combines real actors with animation, like a memorable scene with chalk drawings and a lively dance on a rooftop with chimney sweeps. The film’s songs, written by the Sherman Brothers, are now classics, and it received numerous awards, including an Oscar for Julie Andrews’ performance.

‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (2005)

Four siblings discover a magical world called Narnia by stepping through a wardrobe, and become involved in a fight against the evil White Witch. Aslan, a powerful lion, embodies hope and selflessness in this land filled with mythical creatures like fauns and centaurs, and animals that can talk. The film features impressive visual effects, showcasing epic battles and snowy landscapes. It’s based on the first book in the popular series and was enjoyed by families around the globe.

‘Stardust’ (2007)

A young man ventures into a fantastical kingdom to find a fallen star for the woman he loves, only to discover the star is actually a person. His journey is filled with danger as he faces sky pirates, encounters witches desperate for eternal youth, and gets caught up in a royal power struggle. The film stars Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Robert De Niro, and is based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, blending a love story with exciting, action-packed adventure.

‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)

Kiki’s Delivery Service tells the story of a young witch who moves to a new city to become independent and starts a delivery business using her broom. The movie beautifully portrays themes of self-discovery, dealing with exhaustion, and finding belief in your own abilities, all woven into a charming world filled with everyday magic. Detailed city scenes and delicious-looking food add to the film’s cozy and inviting atmosphere, making it a cherished coming-of-age story from Studio Ghibli.

‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004)

Sophie is placed under a spell by a witch and turns to the wizard Howl for help. Howl lives in a magical, moving castle brought to life by a fire demon named Calcifer. The movie explores themes of self-discovery and the impact of war, all wrapped up in a visually imaginative world with fantastical changes. It’s beautifully animated with detailed designs of both complex machines and vast scenery, and is based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones. The film also boasts a wonderful soundtrack composed by Joe Hisaishi.

‘Coco’ (2017)

During the Day of the Dead, Miguel enters a vibrant land of the deceased, where he embarks on a journey to uncover his family’s history and the story of a celebrated musician. Along the way, he’s guided by a helpful spirit named Hector. The film beautifully showcases Mexican culture with elements like marigold paths, colorful spirit animals called alebrijes, and memorial altars known as ofrendas. It was highly acclaimed, winning Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.

‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1984)

I remember being completely captivated by this movie as a kid! It’s about a boy who gets pulled right into this incredible fantasy world called Fantasia, but it’s in serious trouble – this dark force called the Nothing is just swallowing everything up. He teams up with this brave young warrior, Atreyu, and they’re joined by Falkor, the most amazing luckdragon you’ve ever seen! Together, they’re on a mission to save the Childlike Empress, who’s kind of the heart of Fantasia. What really stuck with me was how real everything felt – they built these huge, amazing sets and used practical effects for the creatures, so it wasn’t just special effects, it felt like a tangible place. And the story is so clever – it really makes you feel like you’re part of the adventure, blurring the lines between what’s happening in the book and what’s happening to you. It’s a truly unforgettable movie.

‘The Prestige’ (2006)

The film follows two competitive magicians who take increasingly risky chances to top each other’s performances. Told through diary entries and different viewpoints, the story uncovers the hidden truths behind their incredible illusions. Starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, and Michael Caine, the movie explores the dangers of obsession and questions where illusion ends and the impossible begins.

‘The Illusionist’ (2006)

Set in Vienna, the film follows Eisenheim, a talented magician who uses his illusions to defy the powerful and try to reconnect with a woman he once loved. His performances, filled with incredible stagecraft and seemingly real spirits, attract the attention of a determined inspector, played by Paul Giamatti, who is tasked with uncovering the secrets behind them. The movie’s beautiful, old-fashioned visuals create a captivating atmosphere reminiscent of a time when magic felt truly wondrous.

‘Enchanted’ (2007)

This charming movie follows a princess from a magical, animated world who suddenly finds herself in modern-day New York City. She faces everyday challenges, but still keeps her optimistic spirit, her ability to sing, and the help of her animal friends. Starring Amy Adams, alongside Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Idina Menzel, the film cleverly combines familiar fairy tale elements with live action and animation.

‘Midnight in Paris’ (2011)

The movie tells the story of a writer on holiday who mysteriously travels back in time each night, meeting famous artists from the past – including Hemingway and Picasso – in a beautifully imagined version of the city. Through these time-bending encounters, the film examines themes of longing for the past and the search for artistic satisfaction. It was recognized with an Academy Award for its original screenplay.

‘The Green Mile’ (1999)

I was completely captivated by this movie! It takes place on death row and focuses on a guard who sees something incredible happen – an inmate starts showing unexplained healing abilities. Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan both give amazing performances that really pull at your heartstrings. It made me think a lot about what’s right and wrong, whether people deserve mercy, and if miracles can actually happen. It’s based on a story by Stephen King, and it’s no surprise it was nominated for so many Oscars – it’s a truly powerful film.

‘Big’ (1988)

A young boy’s wish comes true in a surprising way – he magically wakes up as an adult! He finds work at a toy company, and his unique perspective as a former child actually helps him succeed. The film features a memorable performance by Tom Hanks, including a now-iconic scene with a piano. It’s a story about discovering who you are and the challenges of losing your childhood too quickly.

‘The Secret of Kells’ (2009)

Set in a faraway abbey, the story follows a young boy named Brendan as he contributes to the creation of a beautiful, ancient book. He faces danger from both invading raiders and the wild forest around him. The film’s artwork is inspired by Celtic designs, featuring striking shapes and detailed patterns. Throughout his journey, Brendan encounters mythical creatures like Aisling and Crom Cruach. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

‘Practical Magic’ (1998)

The film follows sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, who come from a family of witches and struggle with a curse that impacts their romantic relationships. Set in a small town, the story blends everyday life with magic, including spells and potions, and focuses on the strong connection between a group of women. Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, alongside Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, the movie examines the importance of family and the burdens that come with special abilities passed down through generations.

Let us know your favorite magical movies in the comments! We’d love to hear which scenes or moments really made you feel the magic.

2025-10-21 02:39