Reality is boring and monotonous… Sometimes you really want to escape into the colorful world of magical adventures. The first thing that comes to mind is to plunge into the Potterian universe created by JK Rowling. However, what is a Muggle to do who knows Hogwarts like the back of his hand or doesn’t like Harry and company? Modern cinema offers other magical adventures for every taste: adaptations of favorite fairy tales and classics, as well as original stories. All this is perfect for family viewing.
Ella Enchanted (2004, 12+)
- Kinopoisk: 6.8.
- IMDb: 6.3.
A romantic comedy about a girl named Ella. At birth, the fairy Lucinda presented her with a strange gift – unconditional obedience. Since then, she has done everything that is asked. After the death of her mother, Ella’s father marries a second time. The stepmother and daughters terrorize the main character. Ella can’t stand it and goes in search of Lucinda. During her wanderings, the girl meets the prince – he saves her from danger several times. Soon a romantic relationship develops between them. However, happiness is under threat: the evil King Edgar orders Ella to kill her lover.
“Miracle Shop” (Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, 2007, 0+)
- Kinopoisk: 6.8.
- IMDb: 6.2.
In the center of the story is a nine-year-old boy named Eric – it is he who tells the story of an amazing shop. Its owner is a cheerful and energetic 243-year-old Mr. Magorium. His store can hardly be called ordinary, because it sells live toys. One day Mr. Magorium declares that it is time for him to “go away”. He bequeaths the shop to his assistant, the charming Molly Mahone, who is clearly not happy with such a gift. Soon Mr. Magorium dies. The store is extremely saddened by this – it fades, all the magic disappears from it. Molly puts the empty shop up for sale.
“Stardust” (Stardust, 2007, 12+)
- Kinopoisk: 7.7.
- IMDb: 7.6.
At the beginning of the story, the viewer is introduced to a small village called Zastenie. It is located at the very border with the magical Stormhold, and they are separated by a huge wall. A guy named Dunstan Thorn recovers to the other side and discovers a magical city. There he meets Una, a sweet girl who is forced to serve a witch. The guy does not understand that she is a long-abducted princess. Moreover, he is extremely surprised when, after 9 months, a child is brought to him with a note that this is his son. Tristan Thorne grows up, and his father decides to tell him the truth about his mother.
“The Golden Compass” (The Golden Compass, 2007, 12+)
- Kinopoisk: 6.6.
- IMDb: 6.1.
In the center of the plot is a twelve-year-old girl named Lyra. She lives in an unusual world where magic and technology are inextricably linked, and every person has a daemon – a piece of the soul in the form of an animal. Lyra spends her time casually walking around Oxford with her best friend Roger. However, her life is turned upside down when she saves her uncle from the powerful Lord Asriel and accidentally learns about “dust” – mysterious particles that can destroy absolutely everything. From her uncle, the girl receives an alethiometer, an ancient artifact that shows the truth. Soon, children begin to disappear in the city, among which is Roger.
“Inkheart” (Inkheart, 2008, 12+)
- Kinopoisk: 6.3.
- IMDb: 6.1.
The story of Mortimer Folhart and his daughter Maggie. Their family has an ancient gift – to revive book characters. However, it has a side effect – the place of the character who left the work should be taken by a living person. One day, Mortimer’s wife Teresa becomes his victim… When the father and daughter visit Aunt Eleanor, they are suddenly attacked by Capricorn, a book villain who was accidentally revived many years ago by Mortimer. He takes the trio prisoner and forces Mortimer to use his gift for his own nefarious purposes. Having caused a hurricane from “The Wizard of Oz”, the father saves his daughter and aunt Eleanor. Later, the heroes learn that Teresa is being held captive by Capricorn.
“Alice in Wonderland” (Alice in Wonderland, 2010, 12+)
- Kinopoisk: 7.1.
- IMDb: 6.4.
Alice Kingsley is 19 and has long forgotten about Wonderland. Lord Ascot’s son intends to propose to her, but she escapes just in time for the solemn moment. The heroine notices a white rabbit dressed in a camisole and glances at her watch – the girl follows him. She meets the twins Tweedledum and Tweedledum, who take her to the caterpillar prophet Absolem. He shows her an ancient scroll that tells her that Alice will slay Jabberwock, the Red Queen’s pet dragon. All the inhabitants of Wonderland believe that the girl will free them from her tyranny. Doubts arise only in Sonya’s mouse – she believes that this is “not that Alice.”
“Snow White and the Huntsman” (Snow White and the Huntsman, 2012, 16+)
- Kinopoisk: 6.1.
- IMDb: 6.1.
The film takes place in the kingdom of Tabor. Suddenly, he is attacked by an army of glass warriors. The king easily breaks them, and also frees the captive Ravenna. However, the girl kills the savior and lets the troops of her brother Finn into the castle. In the confusion of battle, Duke Hammond and his son William manage to escape. Snow White remains at the mercy of the new queen. It turns out that Ravenna is an evil sorceress who lusts for power and pulls the life out of young girls. According to the prophecy, Ravenna will fall at the hands of a maiden who is more beautiful than her. The Magic Mirror claims to be Snow White.
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013, 12+)
- Kinopoisk: 6.3.
- IMDb: 6.3.
In the center of the story, Oscar is a magician, artist, womanizer. After flirting with the wife of a local strongman, he escapes by jumping into a hot air balloon. It brings him to the magical land of Oz. There, Oscar meets the young witch Theodora, who is firmly convinced that he will cope with the evil sorceress from the dark forest. Sensing profit, the magician agrees and, together with the girl, goes to the Emerald City. Theodora’s sister, the sorceress Evanora, rules there. She says that it will be possible to defeat the sorceress by breaking her wand, but in the end everything turns out absolutely wrong.
“Maleficent” (Maleficent, 2014, 12+)
- Kinopoisk: 7.2.
- IMDb: 6.9.
The Fens is an amazing place where many magical creatures live. Among them is the young fairy Maleficent. One day she meets a human boy named Stefan – she falls in love with the guy, but he gradually moves away. Years later, the King of Men, Henry, attacks the Wetlands. Already an adult Maleficent, along with other magical creatures, manages to break his army. Henry is seriously injured. He promises that whoever kills the fairy will take the throne. Stefan travels to magical lands and warns Maleficent of the danger. However, this does not bode well for her.
“Aladdin” (Aladdin, 2019, 6+)
- Kinopoisk: 7.3.
- IMDb: 6.9.
The action takes place in Agrabah – a fictional city in the middle of the desert. Young thief Aladdin helps a pretty girl escape from an angry merchant. This is Princess Jasmine, who sneaked out of the castle, not wanting to marry for convenience. At the same time, Vizier Jafar performs a dark sorcery ritual. He wants to get a magic lamp to seize power. By deception, the sorcerer lures the guy into a cave filled with miracles. It gradually fills with lava, but Aladdin manages to escape from there on a magic carpet.
Source: Trash Box
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
