The Harry Potter movies are one of the best examples of a film series centered on magic. The eight-part film series, based on J. K. Rowling’s fantasy novels of the same name, was a worldwide phenomenon and helped establish Harry Potter as a cultural phenomenon. Even after ten years have passed since the last film in the Harry Potter series was released, the franchise continues to draw in vast numbers of fans.
The Harry Potter series fans were transported into a fascinating world where they could ride broomsticks, play Quidditch, cast spells, brew potions, encounter fantastic mythological creatures, make new friends, and battle wicked wizards. The audience is inspired by Harry’s journey from a shy and introverted orphan in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) to a leader of an army against the Dark Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010 and 2011).
Top 10 Movies Like Harry Potter
1. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010)
Fantastical magic and ancient myths come together in an exciting way in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The famous wizard Merlin (James A. Stephens) is a central figure in the story, which has its origins in ancient Arthurian legend. Morgana Le Fay (Alice Krige), the most promising student of Merlin, goes rogue at the beginning of the story and murders every single wizard and witch in the land who tries to stop her. With the help of his young, gifted students, Balthazar (Nicolas Cage) and Veronica, Merlin can destroy Morgana (Monica Bellucci).
He charges Balthazar to find his descendent, who will become The Prime Merlinean and inherit his powers, because he fears Morgana’s return. Balthazar, who had been looking for a descendant of Merlin for generations, finally located him in Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), an event that would profoundly impact the young man’s life. Harry and Dave are two people destined for greatness and accept their leadership roles with confidence and resolve despite facing formidable challenges. Every true Harry Potter lover should see The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
2. Seventh Son (2014)
Seventh Son is another novel about the struggle between good and evil, and it draws from American and European traditions. Thomas Ward (Ben Barnes), the seventh son of a seventh son, is the protagonist of this film, based on the 2004 novel The Spook’s Apprentice by Joseph Delaney.
Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges), a professional “Spook” (witch hunter), discovers him and has a week to train him to go up against Mother Malkin (also a witch) (Julianne Moore). Like Harry in the Harry Potter books and movies, Thomas has trouble controlling his emotions while aiding his master in the fight against the evil that looms over them.
3. Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange, from Marvel Studios, features a protagonist like an older, wiser Harry Potter, which is likely to be the most well-liked film here. It has many hallmarks of the best sorcery films, including a hidden school for wizards. This brilliant student goes rogue, an influential teacher who sacrifices themselves to save their student, and, of course, a likable protagonist surrounded by devoted friends who back his quest to save the world. With this year’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is competing with Harry Potter for the title of the most popular sorcerer in the world.
4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, directed by Tim Burton, is an excellent choice if you want to see a non-traditional fantasy film with some magical elements. Children and adults are born into a secret community where they reside and use their innate magical abilities to protect themselves from monsters. The time loop covers the remote location from the outside world but keeps the inhabitants trapped inside.
Asa Butterfield’s Jake Portman is trained by Eva Green’s Miss Peregrine, the stern yet caring director of the children’s home. Fans of Harry Potter will adore this narrative since it faithfully recreates Dumbledore’s devotion to his students while also taking them on a fantastical adventure.
5. Upside-Down Magic (2020)
Upside-Down Magic, a Disney Channel Original Movie, is a delightful fantasy drama for kids. The story emphasizes the value of friendship in a magical setting. The story follows teenage best friends Nory (Izabela Rose) and Reina (Siena Agudong), who come into their own after they realize they can use magic. They decide to attend the Sage Academy, a prominent wizardry institution similar to Hogwarts.
They’re put into specialized groups according to their talents and encouraged to choose their course of action to shape their future. The movie’s major villain is a spellbook that details a sort of shadowy sorcery. This item functions similarly to Horcruxes in the Harry Potter series. Curiosity about the story’s progression, potential sequels, and the presence of You Know Who at the story’s conclusion is warranted.
6. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)
Imagine for a moment that the shop across the street sold any magical objects your heart desired. One of the best examples of light, supernatural comedy, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, is built around the idea that anyone may achieve their dreams. The story centers on a metaphysical toy store with a mind stocked with various vintage-looking toys from the wizarding realm.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly until Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), the 243-year-old magician and owner of the toy shop, decided to depart. He appoints Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman), a young pianist he’s been mentoring, as his successor. Molly gains confidence in herself and embraces her role as proprietor of the enchanted toy store through a series of funny misadventures. Perhaps Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is a secret outpost of Diagon Alley!
7. Abigail (2019)
Imagine that Harry cannot kill Voldemort at the end of Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Imagine if the Dark Lord’s soldiers had won. What would the world be like now? Abigail, a Russian feature film, puts the theory to the test in several ways. Abigail (Tinatin Dalakishvili) fights to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic world where the dark forces have won and must hide who she is.
The dark wizards control the muggles with an iron fist after wiping out all the Magi, or magic users, except for their followers. Abigail realizes she has magical abilities and becomes a target of the terrible government, which wants to eliminate any potential danger to its absolute rule. Must-see for Potter enthusiasts interested in hypothetical situations set in the wizarding world.
8. The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
For those who enjoy comedic fantasy films, The House with a Clock in Its Walls bears many similarities to Harry Potter, especially regarding the protagonist’s backstory. Lewis Barnavelt (Owen Vaccaro), age 10, moves to Michigan to live with his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) after the tragic deaths of both of his parents in a vehicle accident that occurred that year.
Jonathan is a secret warlock who, with the help of his witch buddy Florence (Cate Blanchett), is trying to uncover a clock strangely buried inside the house by a wicked warlock who was also the previous owner of the house to prevent the end of the world. After learning the truth, Lewis decides to educate himself magically and help his uncle combat the forces of darkness that he unwittingly revived while trying to impress his friends on Halloween. That’s why Hogwarts had such a rigorous “no magic outside of school” regulation.
9. The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)
The Kid Who Would Be King is yet another film based on an Arthurian legend, and it depicts the age-old conflict between the legendary wizard Merlin and the witch Morgana. Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis), a young lad of 12, plays Arthur in this modern-day retelling of the legend after he discovers the sword Excalibur. Merlin artificially speeds up his aging process to recruit Alex in his struggle against Morgana, who he believes could escape her tomb and rule over all of England.
Alex tries to do the right thing along his adventure while learning new things about his history. Similarly to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, parts 1 and 2, Alex and his other students ultimately prevail over Morgana and her army. But what sets this film apart from others like it is that Alex does not inherit his brilliance as Harry Potter did; instead, he must earn it through his efforts if he is ever to be the proud owner of Excalibur.
10. Matilda (1996)
Matilda, the film based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel of the same name, was lauded for its accuracy in the book. This film, directed and co-produced by Danny DeVito, follows the narrative of Matilda (Mara Wilson), a little girl who is exceptionally bright for her age but is constantly mistreated by her family. The situation worsens when she is enrolled in a primary school where the principal is the antithesis of Dumbledore from Harry Potter.
Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz), a teacher, shares Professor McGonagall’s fondness for her, which is fortunate. Matilda quickly learns that her dormant psychokinetic powers do not always manifest at her command. She eventually learns to harness her new abilities and uses them to help her family undergo positive change through the film’s final act.
You can check more articles about Entertainment, like Top 11 Movies Like Encanto, Top 11 Movies Like The Thing, and Top 9+ 1 Amazing Sci-Fi Movies On Disney Plus on lakecountyfloridanews.com.
