The Best Magic Movies and TV Shows on HBO
Finding a good Magic movie and TV show to watch can be hard, so we've ranked the best ones and included where to watch them. Check out our list of the best Magic movies and TV shows of all time streaming on HBO.
1. Shazam!
What it's about: A boy is given the ability to become an adult superhero in times of need with a single magic word.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $3.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Prime Video & 3 others).
2. His Dark Materials
What it's about: Lyra is an orphan who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Lyra's search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children, and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. She is later joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As Lyra learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds.
Where to Watch: 11 episodes (92%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO). 8 episodes (67%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 4 services (Google Play, Prime Video, Vudu & 1 other). Episodes coming soon to HBO on December 27th, 2020 (PST).
3. Time Bandits
What it's about: Young history buff Kevin can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former employees of the Supreme Being, they've purloined a map charting all of the holes in the fabric of time and are using it to steal treasures from different historical eras. Taking Kevin with them, they variously drop in on Napoleon, Robin Hood and King Agamemnon before the Supreme Being catches up with them.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $2.99 on 3 services (iTunes, Google Play & Vudu).
4. The Last Unicorn
What it's about: From a riddle-speaking butterfly, a unicorn learns that she is supposedly the last of her kind, all the others having been herded away by the Red Bull. The unicorn sets out to discover the truth behind the butterfly's words. She is eventually joined on her quest by Schmendrick, a second-rate magician, and Molly Grue, a now middle-aged woman who dreamed all her life of seeing a unicorn. Their journey leads them far from home, all the way to the castle of King Haggard.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX, HBO & Shout Factory TV) & rent or buy from $2.99 on 4 services (iTunes, Google Play & 2 others).
5. Like Water for Chocolate
What it's about: Tita is passionately in love with Pedro, but her controlling mother forbids her from marrying him. When Pedro marries her sister, Tita throws herself into her cooking and discovers she can transfer her emotions through the food she prepares, infecting all who eat it with her intense heartbreak.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $2.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Google Play & 3 others).
6. The Kid Who Would Be King
What it's about: Old-school magic meets the modern world when young Alex stumbles upon the mythical sword Excalibur. He soon unites his friends and enemies, and they become knights who join forces with the legendary wizard Merlin. Together, they must save mankind from the wicked enchantress Morgana and her army of supernatural warriors.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $2.99 on 3 services (iTunes, Microsoft & Vudu).
7. Magic
What it's about: A ventriloquist is at the mercy of his vicious dummy while he tries to renew a romance with his high school sweetheart.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $14.99 on 1 service (Prime Video).
8. Scoop
What it's about: An American journalism student in London scoops a big story, and begins an affair with an aristocrat as the incident unfurls.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $3.99 on 6 services (iTunes, Google Play & 4 others).
9. Sleight
What it's about: A young street magician is left to take care of his little sister after his mother's passing and turns to drug dealing in the Los Angeles party scene to keep a roof over their heads. When he gets into trouble with his supplier, his sister is kidnapped and he is forced to rely on both his sleight of hand and brilliant mind to save her.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $3.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Google Play & 3 others).
10. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
What it's about: Molly Mahoney is the awkward and insecure manager of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium—the strangest, most fantastic and most wonderful toy store in the world. After Mr. Magorium bequeaths the store to her, a dark and ominous change begins to take over the once-remarkable Emporium.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $2.99 on 6 services (iTunes, Google Play & 4 others).
11. Sinbad of the Seven Seas
What it's about: Fantasy tale based on the tale of the legendary sailor. Here Sinbad must recover five magical stones to free the city of Basra from the evil spell cast by a wizard. His journey takes him to the isle of the Amazons where the queen tries to capture him, to a battle with ghost warriors on the isle of the dead, and ultimately to a battle with his own double.
Where to Watch: Available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO) & rent or buy from $3.99 on 1 service (iTunes).