Movies like The Illusionist (1901)
The best movies like The Illusionist (1901) are Days of Darkness (2007), Mannequin Two: On the Move (1991) and MirrorMask (2005). If The Illusionist hooked you with its fantasy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
The Illusionist
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013)7.9/10 from 1,096 votes
- NewestMythica: A Quest for Heroes (2014)Released 2014
- In FrenchDays of Darkness (2007)Also in French
Days of Darkness (2007)
Jean-Marc is a man without qualities living in times that are out of joint. His wife and children ignore him; he's a mid-level government functionary in Montreal doing his job without care. He has an active imagination of sexual conquest, but his only real feelings come when he visits his aged mother, whose health is failing. When his wife leaves abruptly to work in Toronto, Jean-Marc sets out to reorder things with his daughters, his social life, and at work. In a world that at best is a farce, does he stand a chance?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMannequin Two: On the Move (1991)
Although Jason works as a department store clerk, he is also a reincarnated prince. Long ago, his beloved Jessie was snatched away from him by an evil wizard who used his powers to transform her into wooden statue. Now Jessie is in Jason's department store as a mannequin. When he encounters her, she awakens from her thousand-year sleep. They quickly revive their romance, but the evil wizard has been reincarnated as well, and he's up to no good.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisMirrorMask (2005)
In a fantasy world of opposing kingdoms, a 15-year old girl must find the fabled MirrorMask in order to save the kingdom and get home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Thousand Words (2012)
Jack McCall is a fast-talking literary agent, who can close any deal, any time, any way. He has set his sights on New Age guru Dr. Sinja for his own selfish purposes. But Dr. Sinja is on to him, and Jack’s life comes unglued after a magical Bodhi tree mysteriously appears in his backyard. With every word Jack speaks, a leaf falls from the tree and he realizes that when the last leaf falls, both he and the tree are toast. Words have never failed Jack McCall, but now he’s got to stop talking and conjure up some outrageous ways to communicate or he’s a goner.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPrincess (2008)
A reclusive princess and a directionless young man embark on a quest to save the world's mythical creatures from becoming extinct.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe House of Magic (2013)
Thunder, an abandoned young cat seeking shelter from a storm, stumbles into the strangest house imaginable, owned by an old magician and inhabited by a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos. Not everyone welcomes the new addition to the troupe as Jack Rabbit and Maggie Mouse plot to evict Thunder. The situation gets worse when the magician lands in hospital and his scheming nephew sees his chance to cash in by selling the mansion. Our young hero is determined to earn his place and so he enlists the help of some wacky magician's assistants to protect his magical new home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Raven (1963)
A magician who has been turned into a raven turns to a former sorcerer for help.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (2012)
An original story featuring performances by Cirque du Soleil. A young woman is entranced by an Aerialist. When they fall into the dreamlike world of Cirque du Soleil and are separated, they travel through the different tent worlds trying to find each other.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMythica: A Quest for Heroes (2014)
Stuck in a life of indentured servitude, Marek dreams of becoming a wizard. When she meets the beautiful priestess Teela in need of help, she offers her assistance and provides a motley troupe. Together they go in search of Teela's sister, who was kidnapped by a wild ogre.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisCats (1998)
"Jellicle" cats join for a Jellicle ball where they rejoice with their leader, Old Deuteronomy. One cat will be chosen to go to the "Heavyside Layer" and be reborn.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Nutcracker (1993)
On Christmas Eve, a little girl named Marie falls asleep and dreams herself into a fantastic world in which her toys become larger than life. She meets up with the Nutcracker Prince who takes her on a journey to his kingdom and defends her from the Mouse King.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisPeter Ibbetson (1935)
When his mother dies, young Peter Ibbetson leaves Paris and his best friend, Mary, behind to live with a severe uncle in England. Years later, Peter is an architect with little time for women, until he begins a project with the Duke and Duchess of Towers. When Peter and the duchess become great friends, she reveals that she is Mary — but the duke soon suspects his wife of infidelity and challenges Peter to a duel, threatening the pair's second chance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013)
While trying to prove to her family she can be mature and responsible, teen wizard Alex Russo conjures up a spell to rid herself of her bad qualities, unintentionally creating a Good and Evil Alex. When Evil Alex gets involved in a plan to take over the world by a dark wizard, Good Alex must find a way to save her family, humankind, and ultimately herself in an epic Good vs. Evil battle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Visitors (1993)
After a wizard's spell goes awry, 12th-century Gallic knight Godefroy de Papincourt, Count of Montmirail finds himself transported to 1993, along with his dimwitted servant, Jacquouille la Fripouille. Startled and perplexed by modern technology, the duo run amok, destroying cars and causing chaos until they meet Beatrice de Montmirail, an aristocratic descendant of the nobleman, who may be able to help them get back to 1123.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954)
Lord Shiva wakes. A convocation of magicians in the guise of figures from mythology; a masquerade party at which Pan is the prize. The wine of Hecate is poured: Pan's cup is poisoned by Shiva. Kali blesses the assembly as a bacchic rite ensues.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMr. Peek-a-Boo (1951)
Léon, a humble civil servant, has the unusual ability to walk through walls, however thick they are. One day, he falls madly in love with a charming hotel thief by the name of Suzan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOne Hundred and One Nights (1995)
Monsieur Cinema, a hundred years old, lives alone in a large villa. His memories fade away, so he engages a young woman to tell him stories about all the movies ever made.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNaughty or Nice (2012)
Krissy Kringle receives a delivery intended for Santa Claus. A magical book that shows if a person has been naughty or nice. She uses the book's power to find out about those around her, which leads to some very unusual and unintended results. Krissy realizes that everyone has some good and some not so good in them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Severed Heads (1957)
A short mime adaptation of a Thomas Mann story about a Parisian urchin who makes her living selling human heads.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFade (2000)
The story of a salesman who deals with implants that allow the user to blur the line between reality and dream.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
The Spiderelephant (1967)
The short takes place around the Big Bang… probably before. A poor creature called the Spiderelephant spends its life walking in one direction (see why the dimensional aspect is important) and the short recounts what happens when it runs out of a place to walk.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Bloodrop (2011)
“Bloodrop” is an experimental short directed by Aleksei Popogrebsky. Originally part of the Experiment 5ive omnibus, hence the black envelope with the picture inside, which had to be the common element of all 5 films.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Mockingbird (2010)
A young father listens to his wife soothing their newborn child over the baby monitor. What could possibly go wrong?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Achilles (1995)
With the loss of Patroclus (his undeclared male lover), Greek warrior Achilles returns to the Trojan War.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
All Flowers in Time (2010)
"I am not from this place," declares a French cowboy. An old toothless man asks, "Do you know why you're here?" These shape-shifting personalities infect young children with an evil signal in the form of a Dutch TV show. The red-eyed girls and boys believe they can now become other people and monsters, much to their delight.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Strange Parallel (1998)
Strange Parallel is a documentary/short film revolving around the American singer/songwriter Elliott Smith. The film features interviews with Elliott himself as well as fans, friends and other acquaintances of his (including Gus Van Sant, Larry Crane, and the members of Quasi). The film also includes snippets of Elliott Smith performing as well as footage of him recording an unreleased song, "Brand New Game". The film sometimes moves out of reality, with acted-out, metaphorical sequences that involve Elliott considering purchasing a mechanical hand (a "robot hand" ) to improve his music.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Agophobia (2013)
A time beyond humanity and within a digital world. A new fear of the distant human past in a future where technology has manifested all life The Ram encounters fantastical beings, defying his position to escape this world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Sons of Chaos (2010)
2154. To become a son of chaos, and protect the people, Oca, a young warrior, has to succeed three tests, including killing a howler, an horrible creature.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Later (2010)
Richard and Rachel are deeply in love but their life together ends when Rachel dies in a tragic accident. Richard, unable to cope with the idea that there will be no more 'later' with Rachel, decides that death doesn't have to be the end.... A Twilight Zone-style story from acclaimed science-fiction writer Michael Marshall Smith.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Illusionist?
The closest matches to The Illusionist are Days of Darkness (2007), Mannequin Two: On the Move (1991) and MirrorMask (2005). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Illusionist?
Start with Days of Darkness (2007), the closest match to The Illusionist.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Illusionist?
The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013), rated 7.9/10 by 1,096 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Illusionist?
Mythica: A Quest for Heroes (2014) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there French movies like The Illusionist?
Yes: Days of Darkness (2007), The Visitors (1993) and Mr. Peek-a-Boo (1951).
How are movies similar to The Illusionist chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Illusionist, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.