The holiday season is all about having fun. What can be more fun than getting under your coziest blanket and having a glorious Harry Potter movie marathon? The Harry Potter franchise is a winter staple nowadays, and no matter how many times we watch the series, we can't seem to get enough. The films follow a young Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) as he moves through each year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he faces some of the darkest and most threatening forces in the Wizarding World.
The Harry Potter franchise is one of history's most immersive and complex film franchises. With that, the magic, fun, and nostalgia attached to it are something we all search for beyond the confines of the films themselves. There are many films out there that create the same allure as Harry Potter, from the fantastical sense of adventure to the coming-of-age themes. Come with us as we explore more films and franchises that harness the same sense of magic as the Harry Potter franchise once did.
20 Fantastic Beasts Franchise (2016-2022)
Starting off on the most predictable foot, the Fantastic Beasts prequel spin-off series is the closest you can get to just watching the Harry Potter films. This series takes place in the same universe as the Harry Potter films, but decades before its events. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them came out in 2016, followed by The Crimes of Grindelwald in 2018 and The Secrets of Dumbledore in 2022. These films follow the adventures of one Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne, and explore the deep lore surrounding the intricate history of the Wizarding World.
What Makes It Great
Although the Fantastic Beasts franchise fell short of recreating the magic of the original Harry Potter series, some of the elements we all know and love are expanded upon. Some of the slang is there, some creatures and spells are familiar, and if diving deep into Harry Potter history is your thing, the Fantastic Beasts series is the perfect next watch for you. What these films have going for them is the nostalgia factor through and through. Stream on Max
19 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
Part of Harry Potter's magic falls upon the fantasy adventure aspect, especially since it is primarily set in its own intricate world. Another book-to-film adaptation that takes this level of adventure and magical fantasy to a whole new level is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
This 2005 film follows the four Pevensie siblings as they flee their home in the midst of World War II. In their new home, the youngest sibling, Lucy (Georgie Henley), stumbles upon a wardrobe that transports her and her siblings into the magical land of Narnia where they are destined to fight the White Witch, played by Tilda Swinton.
What Makes It Great
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the perfect post-Harry Potter watch. There are mystical creatures, a magic system, epic action sequences, and four interlocked coming-of-age stories. The Narnia franchise perfected the young adult fantasy genre, and this film delivers every sense of nostalgia and wonder you could want. With more buzz surrounding Greta Gerwig's upcoming adaptation, the time is now to revisit Narnia. Stream on Hulu and Disney+
18 The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)
Magic has always been at the center of what makes Harry Potter special. Well, take a young kid and toss him into a world of magic he once thought impossible, and you get a story like The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Starring Nicolas Cage as the mentor, Balthazar Blake, and Jay Baruchel as the apprentice, David Stutler, this film is a magical journey you want to go on. We follow David's apprenticeship as he harnesses the beginnings of his sorcery talents. Along the way, he finds his life in danger and a love story that could complicate things.
What Makes It Great
The Sorcerer's Apprentice is not presented as the kind of fantasy film that would seemingly stand out. However, a pleasant surprise, the film is entirely wholesome and full of charm. The cast is charismatic, and with such an adventurous and goofy plot, this film is just a lot of fun magic that makes it a great pick after the Harry Potter films. Stream on Disney+
17 Percy Jackson Franchise (2010-2013)
In the era where YA book-to-film adaptations were all the rage, and we got masterpieces like The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Maze Runner, we also got the Percy Jackson series. These films are adaptations of the book series by Rick Riordan. The first film, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, follows Percy (Logan Lerman) when he finds out that he is a demigod with a mortal mother and Poseidon as his father. He is brought to Camp Half-Blood to learn the tricks of the trade and ends up encountering some new friends and foes that drag him into some dangerous adventures.
What Makes It Great
Mystical bloodlines, magic, and Greek mythology are a great jump from the Harry Potter series. The Percy Jackson films were not exactly what fans wanted in an adaptation, as they fell short in some aspects. However, the deep love for Lerman's portrayal of Percy Jackson was never questioned. With the upcoming Disney+ series reboot, which is full of promise and a young and bright-eyed cast, the Percy Jackson films are a great way to introduce yourself to the world. Stream on Disney+
16 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
2016's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a fantasy adventure film that somehow manages to utilize its own peculiarities to stand in the same realm as Harry Potter. The film follows a young boy named Jake, who comes across the magical Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children. Here, Jake learns that the other children there have a unique set of powers. He is now on a journey to discover his own in order to save the day.
What Makes It Great
This Tim Burton film is as mystical and magical as it is quirky and sometimes dark. There is a sense of mystery that envelopes this movie's plot, roping us into a world unknown much like Harry's journey in the Wizarding World. As another book-to-film adaptation, there was a lot of pressure for this film to live up to book standards, and yet, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children stands a child's dark magic dream film, if you ask us. Stream on Disney+
15 The Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Grab your tissues and run. With the internet resurfacing our obsession with Josh Hutcherson, there is no way to forget the film Bridge to Terabithia. This young-adult fantasy film follows Jesse Aarons (Hutcherson) and his newfound friendship with Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb). The two use the power of childhood imagination to conjure up a fictional realm called Terabithia, where they come across magical creatures and other fantastical elements their minds could hardly wrap around. The two find refuge in this imaginary land in order to escape the hardships of their reality.
What Makes It Great
You're going to cry: Bridge to Terabithia is a film designed to send tears down your face. Nostalgia is a powerful thing and many of us remember where we were when this movie emotionally destroyed our young hearts. Both Hutcherson and Robb are relatable and lovable. And, above all, the film is deeply wholesome and full of wonder. Stream on Disney+
14 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
As far as beloved fantasy series go, nothing holds a candle to Harry Potter like The Lord of the Rings does. The Lord of the Rings trilogy — comprising The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King — is epic high fantasy at its finest. The film follows a very important ring that ends up in the hands of a very ordinary Frodo Baggins, played by Elijah Wood, who, along with the Fellowship, must bring the Ring to Mordor to destroy it and save Middle-earth.
What Makes It Great
The entire Middle-earth franchise, which includes The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy, is almost the perfect thing to watch if you loved Harry Potter. The sense of fantasy in the films' world-building and the magic of building a franchise is hard to recreate. However, both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings do a fantastic job of taking audiences and fans to places they never thought possible. Stream on Prime Video
13 The Hobbit Trilogy (2013-2014)
The great thing about The Hobbit trilogy — which consists of An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies — is that you can either watch it after the Lord of the Rings trilogy or before, and still appreciate its expansion of Tolkien's lore.
A prequel to the events of The Fellowship of the Ring and after, The Hobbit sees Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he embarks on an unexpected journey across Middle-earth and first comes across the One Ring. Familiar faces like Sir Ian McKellen's Gandalf, Cate Blanchett's Galadriel, and Hugo Weaving's Elrond make appearances of varying degrees in this trilogy, which is a treat for LOTR fans.
What Makes It Great
The Hobbit marked Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth after almost a decade since the release of The Return of the King. With the advancement of cinema technology between the two trilogies, he was able to bring a more vibrant and spectacular Middle-earth to the big screen. The Hobbit may not have been without its flaws, but it served as a great introduction to Tolkien's stories for a new generation of fantasy film-lovers, particularly those who had aged out of Harry Potter (which ended the year prior) and were ready for something more mature. Stream on Max
12 Doctor Strange (2016)
Magic in the MCU was brought to the forefront with the epic introduction of Doctor Strange. Played by the fantastic Benedict Cumberbatch, Dr. Strange is an MCU Avenger who started off as an arrogant doctor living a life of luxury in New York. After a tragic accident that left the mobility in his hands detrimental to his career, Strange seeks out a magical loophole to hopefully get his career back. Instead, he finds something even more thrilling.
What Makes It Great
Doctor Strange has easily become one of the most beloved heroes in the MCU. Cumberbatch breathes a comedic and sophisticated life into the Marvel hero, who works expertly with the other characters (from Rachel McAdams' Christine to Benedict Wong's Wong). This film brings together adventure, action, and, of course, magic into our worlds like nothing else. If any MCU film is going to serve as your next magical adventure, it has to be Doctor Strange. Stream on Disney+
11 Seventh Son (2014)
Seventh Son
- Release Date
- December 12, 2014
- Director
- Sergey Bodrov
- Rating
- PG-13
In the 2014 film Seventh Son, audiences follow the clash between Master Gregory, played by Jeff Bridges, and Mother Malkin, played by Julianne Moore. Mother Malkin was an evil witch who was defeated and imprisoned by Master Gregory, and after many years, she escapes and is thirsty for revenge. In order to take her down once again, Master Gregory takes Tom Ward (Ben Barnes) as an apprentice, and the two navigate the world of magic.
What Makes It Great
More than just the appeal of Ben Barnes, this film is adventurous and full of some of the best fantasy elements that could be used in film, such as adventure, a unique magic system, and a threatening woman antagonist. With a fantastic cast, including Barnes, the incomparable Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Alicia Vikander, and Kit Harrington, Seventh Son should be on your watch list ASAP. Rent on Prime Video
10 The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
2018's The House with a Clock in Its Walls is a fantasy film that is perfect for the whole family. Investigating a mysterious noise from an old and abandoned house sounds like a great activity for 10-year-old Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) and his Uncle Jonathan (Jack Black). Here, Lewis learns that his uncle and their neighbor have magic powers that lead to Lewis breathing new life into the undead. The town he once knew emerges as a cesspool of witches and warlocks alike.
What Makes It Great
Any movie with Jack Black is going to be a fun ride. This has just the right amount of mystery and magic to keep audiences interested. What's more, the cast is extremely fun and charismatic — a bonus to this solid fantasy film. Releasing at a time when fantasy was at its peak on television (courtesy of Game of Thrones), while fantasy on the big screen was falling behind, The House with a Clock in Its Walls was a solid effort to restore magic and wonder in theaters. Stream on Hulu
9 Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium stars Dustin Hoffman as Mr. Magorium, Natalie Portman as Molly Mahoney, and Jason Bateman as Henry. The film surrounds the wondrous and magical Wonder Emporium that is owned by 243-year-old Mr. Edward Magorium. However, once Magorium places the responsibility on his manager, Molly, the Emporium's mood shifts. Molly and accountant, Henry, are left to figure out how to manage the Emporium's magic to make it in the business.
What Makes It Great
Fantasy films are always meant to be fun. And, here, we are taken to the purest corners of childish imagination. This film is whimsical, colorful, and full of life. Just think about the stores in Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, and how they are full of magic and mystery around every turn — Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium captures that perfectly and then some. Buy on Apple TV
8 Abigail (2019)
One of the best parts of the Harry Potter franchise is the integration of dark magic. 2019's Abigail dives all the way into a world of dark magic that makes it a needed entry on this list. In the film, a young Abigail (Tinatin Dalakishvili) has been locked within the walls of a city, a necessary protection to keep the population safe from disease. However, in a search to find her missing father, Abigail discovers that she also has magical powers.
What Makes It Great
Seeing dark magic at the forefront of a film is an interesting premise that immediately sets Abigail apart from Harry Potter and many other films on this list, which makes this one worth a watch. That said, it remains faithful to the magical movie subgenre, offering complex world-building, characters to root for, and a visual feast for the eyes. Stream on Prime Video
7 Matilda (1996)
Matilda
- Release Date
- August 2, 1996
- Rating
- PG
A young kid with powers they have trouble navigating that is also mistreated by their family? Sounds Harry-Potter-coded to us. Matilda came out in 1966 and follows Matilda Wormwood (played by Mara Wilson), a young genius who is living in a "me against the world" environment. She is neglected at home by her own family, and she is constantly tormented by a classmate at school. However, Matilda, the gifted and resilient girl she is, discovers the telekinesis powers that she uses to protect herself and her friends.
What Makes It Great
The nostalgia we have attached to this film is so comforting. Matilda is hilarious and the addition of some dark undertones makes this film something special. The genius of Roald Dahl's mind comes to life in this film adaptation of his beloved story, and we cannot get enough of it. In many ways, Matilda primed audiences for Harry Potter, bringing us into the world of a young girl navigating her magical powers. Stream on Roku
6 Now You See Me (2013)
Harry Potter is magic — real magic. However, what about some magic that can exist in the world we live in? Now You See Me is a film that leans into the kind of magic that we see in a real-life show. There is sleight of hand, tricky illusions, and heart-stopping stunts.
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman, and Isla Fisher, this film follows a band of misfit magicians who come together to create the greatest magic act (and heist) known to man. However, along the way, the group gets caught up in some testy encounters with law enforcement, and they become fugitives.
What Makes It Great
Entertainment is the main goal of magicians in our reality. Well, this film is entertainment at its finest. Now You See Me is such a standout film and is designed to take you on a wild and magical journey full of twists and turns that even the best of us could not predict. The film is perfectly cast and the fast-paced nature of the plot will have you at the edge of your seat from start to finish. Stream on Max
5 Stardust (2007)
Love is a theme that spans throughout the entirety of all eight Harry Potter films. Love is also the takeoff point in the adventure fantasy film Stardust. In the film, a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) goes on an adventure to find a fallen star that he believes will win over his lover Victoria (Sienna Miller). Instead of retrieving the stone, Tristan is met with Yvaine (Claire Danes), a woman whose power is valuable to more than one foe.
What Makes It Great
This 2007 adventure fantasy has a star-studded cast including Danes and Cox, but also Henry Cavill as Humphrey, Michelle Pfeiffer as Lamia, and Ben Barnes as Dunstan Thorn. Magic kingdoms, super-powerful magical beings, and evil witches make up a recipe for a great fantasy film. Stardust is such an unexpected gem in the fantasy realm, and cannot be missed. Stream on Prime Video and Paramount+
4 The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a 2008 fantasy adventure film that follows a family that faces the introduction of magic into their ordinary world. The Grace family has provided Jared, one of the three Grace children, with the title of a resident troublemaker. Therefore, when the family moves, and strange things start to happen, and Jared is thought to be the culprit. However, a magical book that Jared finds could be the key to handling the magical creatures that stalk the grounds of the old estate.
What Makes It Great
There are magic and magical creatures — what could be more Harry Potter? This film is pure fantasy. The plot is face-paced, has high stakes, and is full of adventure and action. Also, actors Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Seth Rogen, and David Strathairn are perfect in their roles. Stream on Prime Video and Paramount+
3 Coraline (2009)
Coraline
- Release Date
- February 5, 2009
- Director
- Henry Selick
- Rating
- PG
The Harry Potter franchise does a great job at mixing dark and horror elements with whimsical childhood wonder. The stop-motion animated film Coraline does just that, too. The 2009 film follows a young Coraline as she explores the ins and outs of her new home. When she comes across a secret door, she enters an alternate universe that is almost a mirror of her reality. However, in this alternate universe, everyone has buttons for eyes, and they are ready to do everything they can to get her to stay there.
What Makes It Great
Coraline is one of the darkest and creepiest children's films out there. This film feels like pure imagination and wonder come to life, and there are magical aspects throughout. However, it is the story that draws people in; themes of family, loss, and coming-of-age are standouts. Coraline has garnered such a passionate cult following and is easily one of the best-animated films of all time. Stream on Max
2 Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland utilizes a more whimsical and fairytale style of fantasy than Harry Potter. Starring Mia Wasikowska as Alice, this classic story follows Alice after she flees her own wedding and ends up falling down the rabbit hole. After landing in Wonderland, Alice begins to piece together her role in the ongoing Wonderland conflict involving the threatening Red Queen, played by Helena Bonham Carter.
What Makes It Great
Alice in Wonderland is a story we all know and love. Tim Burton's distinct style has left a lasting impression on the film world, and the implementation of his visual trademarks into such a bright and charismatic story makes for a unique and engaging watch. This film is full of charm and is sure to knock your socks off. Stream on Disney+
1 Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Howl's Moving Castle
- Release Date
- November 19, 2004
- Cast
- Chieko Baisho , Takuya Kimura , Akihiro Miwa , Tatsuya Gashûin , Ryûnosuke Kamiki , Mitsunori Isaki
- Rating
- PG
If there is any animated franchise out there that does magic in such a masterful way, we have to give it to Studio Ghibli. Specifically, Howl's Moving Castle is the film that you should be watching after Harry Potter. This film follows a wizard named Howl, who befriends a young woman named Sophie. After a pretty ordinary life, Sophie is ready to take on an adventure with Howl and his magic flying castle. However, not all is sunshine and rainbows: the pair is forced to navigate a curse placed on Sophie by the Witch of Waste.
What Makes It Great
Howl's Moving Castle is a must-watch for any fan of Studio Ghibli. The breathtaking animation is a given, the storyline is adventurous, and the characters are lovable beyond belief. Beyond the magical aspect of this animated film, Howl's Moving Castle is one of those films that will stick with you long after the credits roll. Like Harry Potter, it will leave you wishing you could transport yourself into Howl and Sophie's world. Stream on Max
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