Movies like The Man Who Was Magic (2021)
The best movies like The Man Who Was Magic (2021) are Knightriders (1981), The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939) and Step Up 3D (2010). If The Man Who Was Magic hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)7.1/10 from 746 votes
- NewestBalhae Blurred in Rain (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseThe Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939)Also in Japanese
Knightriders (1981)
A medieval reenactment troupe struggles to maintain its family-like dynamic amid pressure from local authorities, interest from talent agents, and their so-called king's delusions of grandeur.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939)
In late 19th-century Tokyo, Kikunosuke Onoue, the adopted son of a legendary actor, himself an actor specializing in female roles, discovers that the praise he receives is only due to his status as his father's heir. Devastated, he turns to Otoku, a servant of his family, for comfort, and they fall in love. Kikunosuke becomes determined to leave home and develop as an actor on his own merits, and Otoku faithfully joins him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStep Up 3D (2010)
A tight-knit group of New York City street dancers, including Luke and Natalie, team up with NYU freshman Moose, and find themselves pitted against the world's best hip-hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Sunshine (2024)
Two young skaters, polar opposites in personality, team up to train for an ice-dancing competition, their growing bond blurring the lines between partners and more as winter unfolds.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFate/Grand Order Final Singularity – Grand Temple of Time: Solomon (2021)
After battling their way through all seven Singularities, the Chaldea Security Organization has finally arrived at the endpoint of the Grand Order: The Final Singularity, Grand Temple of Time: Solomon. Now is the time to defeat the root of all evil, Solomon, the King of Mages. Now is the time to reclaim the future. With the final operation looming large, Romani Archaman considers the choices he will soon have to make, Mash Kyrielight dwells on life's limitations, and Fujimaru prepares to receive a new Mystic Code. All their many encounters have led to this moment as Fujimaru and Mash at last embark on their final operation...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFate/Grand Order -First Order- (2016)
The Chaldea Security Organization was founded to focus on preserving the continuation of human history. They observe a world which magecraft couldn’t observe, and science couldn’t measure, all to prevent the certain extinction of humanity. But one day, the future that Chaldea continued to observe disappears and humanity’s extinction in 2017 becomes clear. Based on the assumption that Fuyuki, a provincial town in Japan, is the reason for humanity’s extinction, Chaldea issues an order to explore, investigate, and possibly destroy this singularity – a quest for the Holy Grail, the Grand Order.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisZiegfeld Follies (1945)
The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Mickey, Minnie, and their famous friends Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Pluto gather together to reminisce about the love, magic and surprises in three wonder-filled stories of Christmas past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStreetDance 2 (2012)
After suffering humiliation by the crew Invincible, street dancer Ash looks to gather the best dancers from around the world for a rematch.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDouble Suicide (1969)
Successful and married with children, paper-mill owner Jihei knows better than to contradict the strict social and moral codes of 18th-century Japan. But when he meets the lovely courtesan Koharu, he becomes a man obsessed. Koharu returns his love, even foregoing other customers while Jihei schemes to somehow buy her freedom. His efforts yield ruinous consequences for his business and his family life, and Koharu is meanwhile purchased by another client.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisParis Christmas Waltz (2023)
Emma relinquishes her job so a colleague with a family will keep his. Contemplating life’s next steps, Emma meets a professional dancer, Leo whose love for competitive dancing is waning, until a once in a lifetime opportunity arises for the novice to join the pro and sweep all of Paris off its feet.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFrosty's Winter Wonderland (1976)
Years have passed since Frosty left for the North Pole, but his promise is kept when he hears news of the first snowfall of the season, and decides to return.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHogfather (2007)
It's the night before Hogswatch, usually a time of joy on Discworld, but there are suspicious going-on and the criminal underworld is abuzz. The beloved Hogfather - the jolly bearer of glee and pork-related gifts for children everywhere - has vanished. Suddenly, Discworld's entire mythical system is under threat. The fate of this magical time rests in the hands of a very motley group: A band of wizards headed up by a mystical university president named Mustrum Ridcully (Joss Ackland), a loyal manservant called Albert (David Jason), a level-headed governess called Susan Sto Heilt (Michelle Dockery), and her grandfather, who happens to be - Death (Marnix van den Broeke).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoney: Rise Up and Dance (2018)
Street dancer Skyler comes out of the shadow of her trained dancer sister, Tosha, & joins a dance competition with the Honey dance studio; the prize is a college scholarship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTwo for the Seesaw (1962)
After leaving his wife, lawyer Jerry Ryan moves from Omaha, Nebraska to New York City to start a new life. While studying for the New York Bar Examination and working to finalize his divorce, Ryan meets dancer Gittel Mosca, and the two begin a cautious courtship. However, Ryan feels that he must come to terms with his failed marriage and overcome his lingering attachment to his ex-wife before he can redefine himself and embrace his budding romance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoney 3: Dare to Dance (2016)
While attending college in Cape Town, Melea Martin feels constrained by the school's strict policies, and decides to set out on her own. Searching for a way to use her talents as a dancer and inspire the community around her, Melea rents a failing theater in order to put on a Hip-Hop Romeo and Juliet performance. But much like the Capulets and Montagues, conflicts between cast members threaten to bring the whole performance to a halt...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLes Misérables: 25th Anniversary in Concert (2010)
This concert, recorded to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the landmark musical Les Miserables, gathers the casts of the show's 2010 original production at the Queen's Theatre, the 1985 original production by the London company, and the 2010 production at the Barbican together for one performance. Together with talents like Michael Ball, Hadley Fraser, and John Owen-Jones, the performers present the play's musical numbers in a semi-theatrical style, fully costumed and with all the emotion of the musical's heyday.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Christmas Toy (1986)
It's Christmas Eve and the playroom is alive with excitement for the new toys that will arrive the next day. Balthazar, the old and wise bear, explains to the other toys that they must welcome the newcomers even though each of them may be replaced as one of the children's new favorite toys.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRobin Robin (2021)
A bird raised by mice begins to question where she belongs and sets off on a daring journey of self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisScaramouche (1952)
In 18th-century France, a young man masquerades as an actor to avenge his friend's murder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPhoenix Wright 2 -The Truth Reborn, Again… (2009)
A continuation of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, which ran from February to March of this year at Bow Hall and Nippon Seinenkan. Based on the game "Phoenix Wright" which is highly popular with women — the story of a passionate lawyer who solves difficult cases, set in America. Phoenix Wright has proved the innocence of his lover, who was suspected of murdering a senator, and won back her love. As he must wait for her return, he goes back to his hometown in California. One day, a young girl comes to see him. She wants him to represent her mother, who is suspected of being involved in a certain incident. In California, a new turnabout drama for Phoenix Wright begins...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Lupin the Third: Search for the Queen's Necklace! (2015)
Musical by the Takarazuka Revue. In modern day France, an exhibition is being held at the Palace of Versailles of the "Necklace of Marie Antoinette". The necklace had been used in a fraud case that marked a chapter in French history and later went missing. It has been reproduced using real diamonds. Fujiko has sneaked into Versailles, as has the gang of Lupin, Goemon, and Jigen - all with the intention of getting their hands on the necklace, which is valued at over 3 billion yen in today's money. But they bump into Inspector Zenigata. Lupin is the one who manages to foil Zenigata and grab the necklace. Yet the instant he lays hands on it, everyone is enveloped in a mysterious light. When they regain consciousness, they notice they have gone through a time slip to 1785, before the French Revolution when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were around.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Balhae Blurred in Rain (2026)
Based on the life of Dae Inseon, the last king of Balhae.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Phantom (2004)
Takarazuka Revue's Phantom based on the play by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls (2021)
Futaro Yamada’s novel “The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls” is a historical epic that masterfully weaves fiction into fact: Takarazuka will take on the challenge of adapting this work for the stage for the very first time.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Runway (2024)
Special stage performance by the former top stars of Takarazuka Revue.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Serika Toa Dinner Show 『The Royal Banquet』 (2025)
Serika Toa's dinner show.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Elisabeth: The Rondo of Love & Death (2014)
Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe 2014 production of the Austrian musical 'Elisabeth'
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Ocean's 11 (2019)
Danny Ocean, a master swindler, is serving time, but on this day he is approved to be released on parole. On the same day, his wife's lawyer pays him a visit, divorce papers in hand. His wife Tess has been selected to star in a show at a hotel to be built by the Las Vegas magnate Terry Benedict.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Last Play -In the Form of Prayers- (2009)
A young man raised in an orphanage receives special education for gifted children on the piano in preparation for taking place in an international contest. However, because of the stress and pressure, he passes out while performing for the final screening. Because of this trauma, he no longer can go near the piano. When that boy collapses in a park, he's rescued by a man. The months and years pass, and the two have become acknowledged members of a certain underground conglomerate. One day the young man is involved in a drive by shooting and loses his memory, then turns back to the piano and begins to perform beautifully..... A musical in which the protagonist is wrapped in trauma, that follows him until he is determined to search for his path in life, with his friend as an axis, and the distractions of his feelings for the many women he loses his heart to.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Man Who Was Magic?
The closest matches to The Man Who Was Magic are Knightriders (1981), The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939) and Step Up 3D (2010). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Man Who Was Magic?
Start with Knightriders (1981), the closest match to The Man Who Was Magic.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Man Who Was Magic?
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999), rated 7.1/10 by 746 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Man Who Was Magic?
Balhae Blurred in Rain (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like The Man Who Was Magic?
Yes: The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (1939), My Sunshine (2024) and Fate/Grand Order Final Singularity – Grand Temple of Time: Solomon (2021).
How are movies similar to The Man Who Was Magic chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Man Who Was Magic, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.