Movies like The Great Illusion (2016)
The best movies like The Great Illusion (2016) are David Blaine: Beyond Magic (2016), Derren Brown: Miracle (2016) and Focus (2015). If The Great Illusion hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Truman Show (1998)8.2/10 from 21,218 votes
- NewestWowsabout! (2026)Released 2026
David Blaine: Beyond Magic (2016)
In his most revealing performance yet, the one-hour special features an exploration into Blaine’s trademark style of street magic as he once again stuns his audience.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDerren Brown: Miracle (2016)
Illusionist Derren Brown reinvents the concept of "faith healing" through a series of stunts that debunk the confines of fear, pain and disbelief.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFocus (2015)
Nicky, an accomplished con artist, gets romantically involved with his disciple Jess but later ends their relationship. Years later, she returns as a femme fatale to spoil his plans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDavid Blaine: Real or Magic (2013)
David Blaine's signature brand of street magic mystifies the most recognisable celebrities in the world, such as Jamie Foxx, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Ricky Gervais, Katy Perry, Woody Allen, and Robert DeNiro, to name a few. He goes to the homes of Kanye West and Harrison Ford, Will Smith and Olivia Wilde. He pays a visit to Stephen Hawking at his office in Cambridge University. Blaine also travels the world, astonishing people from all walks of life with never-before seen, inconceivable magic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRed Lights (2012)
Two investigators of paranormal hoaxes, the veteran Dr. Margaret Matheson and her young assistant, Tom Buckley, study the most varied metaphysical phenomena with the aim of proving their fraudulent origins. Simon Silver, a legendary blind psychic, reappears after an enigmatic absence of 30 years to become the greatest international challenge to both orthodox science and professional sceptics. Tom starts to develop an intense obsession with Silver, whose magnetism becomes stronger with each new manifestation of inexplicable events. As Tom gets closer to Silver, tension mounts, and his worldview is threatened to its core.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMuppets Haunted Mansion (2021)
On Halloween night, Gonzo and Pepe are challenged to face their fears and stay in The Haunted Mansion until sunrise, encountering many frightening, funny, and perhaps a little familiar, phantoms over the course of their stay.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLate Night with the Devil (2024)
A live broadcast of a late-night talk show in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Truman Show (1998)
In a picture-perfect seaside town, an insurance salesman begins to realize that his entire existence may be staged and observed by a vast unseen audience as part of a long-running real-time reality TV show.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDerek DelGaudio's In & of Itself (2020)
Storyteller and Conceptual Magician Derek DelGaudio attempts to understand the illusory nature of identity and answer the deceptively simple question 'Who am I?'
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKevin Hart: What Now? (2016)
Comedian Kevin Hart performs in front of a crowd of 50,000 people at Philadelphia's outdoor venue, Lincoln Financial Field.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAn Honest Liar (2014)
An Honest Liar tells the incredible story of the world-famous magician, escape artist, and world-renowned enemy of deception, James 'The Amazing' Randi. The film brings to life Randi's intricate investigations that publicly exposed psychics, faith healers, and con-artists with quasi-religious fervor. A master deceiver who came out of the closet at the age of 81, Randi created fictional characters, fake psychics, and even turned his partner of 25 years, Jose Alvarez, into a sham guru named Carlos.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHoudini (1953)
By the early 1900s, the extraordinary Houdini earned an international reputation for his theatrical tricks and daring feats of extrication from shackles, ropes, handcuffs and... Scotland Yard's jails.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Mad Magician (1954)
Don Gallico is an inventor of stage magic effects who aspires to become a star in his own right. Just before his first performance his act is shut down by capricious manager Ross Ormond who wants Gallico's brilliant buzz saw illusion for the act of The Great Rinaldi, an established star. With this defeat, and the humiliation of having already lost his wife Claire to Ormond, Gallico decides it is time to take matters into his own hands.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJackass 4.5 (2022)
Through outrageous, never-before-seen footage, witness the making of the Jackass crew's last go at wild stunts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeadstream (2022)
A disgraced internet personality attempts to win back his followers by livestreaming one night alone in a haunted house. But when he accidentally unleashes a vengeful spirit, his big comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGeorge Carlin: Life Is Worth Losing (2005)
Carlin returns to the stage in his 13th live comedy stand-up special, performed at the Beacon Theatre in New York City for HBO®. His spot-on observations on the deterioration of human behavior include Americans’ obsession with their two favorite addictions - shopping and eating; his creative idea for The All-Suicide Channel, a new reality TV network; and the glorious rebirth of the planet to its original pristine condition - once the fires and floods destroy life as we know it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFirst Snow (2006)
A psychic's ominous reading sends a man into a tailspin.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNorm Macdonald: Nothing Special (2022)
In his final comedy special, Norm Macdonald ponders casinos, cannibalism, living wills and why you have to be ready for whatever life throws your way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSweet and Lowdown (1999)
In the 1930s, jazz guitarist Emmet Ray idolizes Django Reinhardt, faces gangsters and falls in love with a mute woman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGhostwatch (1992)
On Halloween 1992, the BBC broadcasts an investigation into the supernatural, hosted by TV chat-show legend Michael Parkinson. Parky (assisted by Mike Smith, Sarah Greene and Craig Charles) and a camera crew attempt to discover the truth behind the most haunted house in Britain. This groundbreaking live television experiment does not go as planned, however.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKids' TV: The Surprising Story (2022)
Konnie Huq celebrates the very best of British children’s television, with a dazzling array of clips from some of the most treasured programmes ever made and revealing chats with some of TV’s most beloved stars. But Konnie also tells a perhaps more surprising story: of how kids’ TV has frequently been at the forefront of social change, in terms of the stories it tells and the people who get to tell them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976)
Bob's favorite memories and funniest moments on TV The biggest Stars! ... The biggest laughs! On DVD for the first time, this special 90 minute collection proves that laughter is the universal language with a sidesplitting salute to slapstick, satire, sketch comedy and zingers. Featuring Bob's funniest moments on television, this tribute includes a virtual who's who of legendary entertainers like Bing Crosby, Jackie Gleason, Roy Rogers, Ingrid Bergman, Bob Newhart, Lucille Ball, Ann-Margret, Jack Benny, Angie Dickinson, Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, Danny Thomas, Don Rickles, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Dorothy Lamour, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Dyan Cannon, Debbie Reynolds, Lassie and more.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Shrek the Halls (2007)
The Christmas tree isn't the only thing green in this new holiday classic. Shrek is back and trying to get into the spirit of the season. After promising Fiona and the kids a Christmas they'll remember, he is forced to take a crash course in the holiday. But just when he thinks he has everything for their quiet family Christmas just right, there is a knock at the door.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWowsabout! (2026)
Roxy, a free-spirited hedgehog, is on a quest to find the legendary 'magical giants' of Sequoia National Park. Ronald, a meticulous and rule-following piglet, is determined to achieve his carefully planned goal of becoming a junior ranger. At first glance, they couldn’t be more opposite but the awe and wonder of the natural and cultural world shows them that they have more in common than anyone thought. Together they find themselves on a 'Wowsabout' full of music, art, and hysterical adventures!
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Rhod Gilbert: The Book of John (2022)
Filmed live from the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, 'The Book of John' is the sold-out, highly anticipated new show from Rhod Gilbert, which critics have called 'uproariously funny' - The Guardian. Raw, personal and brutally honest like never before, Rhod takes us on a non-nonsense journey into finding the homour when you've hit rock bottom.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh - Live Coverage (2021)
Live coverage from Windsor of the ceremonial funeral of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Bob Hope on the Road to China (1979)
Bob Hope tours China, takes in the culture and meets up with Big Bird, Crystal Gayle, Peaches and Herb, and others.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Science Fiction: A Journey Into the Unknown (1994)
This documentary is a history and review of science-fiction and fantasy programs on TV.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Mitzi's 2nd Special (1969)
Mitzi Gaynor opens her second special with a dazzling performance of "Let Go." Additional songs include "Poor Papa," and "What'll I Do." She welcomes guest star Ross Martin (The Wild, Wild, West) for a musical-comedy spoof of Gone with the Wind. Other comedy skits include Mitzi as "The Kid" describing a school recital, and as a Hungarian Gypsy performing "Those Were the Days."
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Great Illusion?
The closest matches to The Great Illusion are David Blaine: Beyond Magic (2016), Derren Brown: Miracle (2016) and Focus (2015). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Great Illusion?
Start with David Blaine: Beyond Magic (2016), the closest match to The Great Illusion.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Great Illusion?
The Truman Show (1998), rated 8.2/10 by 21,218 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Great Illusion?
Wowsabout! (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Spanish movies like The Great Illusion?
The closest matches are in other languages.
How are movies similar to The Great Illusion chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Great Illusion, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.