The Prestige of Popcorn: Magic Movies to Stream (or Conjure from Thin Air)
If your idea of a perfect evening involves top hats, dramatic reveals, and suspiciously convenient fog, you’re in good company. The world of stage magic has always made for cinematic gold — all the misdirection, showmanship, and sequined waistcoats you could ask for. Whether you're a practicing magician or just someone who still hasn't figured out how their uncle "found" a coin behind your ear, these films pull off movie magic with flair. And the best part? They're all ready to stream, no sleight of hand required.
The Prestige (available on Netflix in some regions) is basically a love letter to obsession, misdirection, and the dark arts of Victorian stagecraft. Christopher Nolan pits Christian Bale against Hugh Jackman in a rivalry that escalates from petty sabotage to full-on teleportation (possibly). If you like your magic with a side of brooding and a touch of Nikola Tesla, it’s an unmissable pick. The final twist? You’ll probably want to watch it again immediately to catch all the clues you missed — because of course there were clues.
Then there’s Now You See Me (Amazon Prime, Apple TV, etc.), the flashier, modern cousin who pulls off heists in designer suits while quoting card tricks like philosophy. This slick thriller follows a team of illusionists pulling off crimes under the guise of performance art, confusing the FBI and keeping audiences guessing. It’s pure popcorn magic: part Ocean’s Eleven, part David Copperfield, and just the right amount of “wait, what?” to keep it fun. The sequel exists, and it’s… fine, but the original still holds the spotlight.
For a lighter watch, Magic Camp on Disney+ offers a family-friendly take with some genuinely impressive close-up work (and a dash of heartfelt nostalgia). And if you’re into documentaries, Dealt (on Peacock or rental platforms) follows Richard Turner, a master card mechanic who happens to be blind — proof that the most astonishing magic doesn’t need CGI.
Abracadazzle: The Best Magic Shows in Las Vegas Right Now
Las Vegas is many things — a desert oasis, a buffet battleground, a place where your wallet goes to disappear — but above all, it’s a city built on illusions. So it’s no surprise that Sin City is still the undisputed world capital of magic shows, where stage magicians don’t just pull rabbits out of hats, they pull entire tigers out of trapdoors. If you’re heading to the Strip and fancy a bit of vanishing, levitating, or dramatic eyebrow-raising, here are the shows that are actually worth your chips.
First up: David Copperfield at the MGM Grand. Yes, that David Copperfield. The man is basically the Elvis of magic, except with fewer jumpsuits and more private islands. His show is a slick, surprisingly emotional production — part autobiography, part magic masterclass, and part "how did he just walk through that fan?" He’s still innovating after all these years, proving you don’t need TikTok tricks when you can make a car appear out of nowhere.
If you prefer your magicians with more eyeliner and attitude, Criss Angel MINDFREAK at Planet Hollywood is like a rock concert that accidentally fell into a magic shop. There are pyrotechnics, levitations, and a lot of leather — think David Blaine meets Cirque du Soleil in a Hot Topic. It’s absurd, dramatic, and unapologetically over-the-top, which is exactly what you should be looking for in a Vegas magic show. Subtlety is for Wisconsin.
And for the comedy crowd, Penn & Teller at the Rio still deliver one of the smartest, funniest magic experiences on the Strip. They’ll show you how tricks are done, then still fool you anyway — a delightful bit of mental jiu-jitsu. The pair’s dry wit and philosophical take on deception offer a rare combo: brainy and baffling. And yes, Teller still doesn’t talk. Which is a magic trick in itself in Las Vegas.
Whether you're a skeptic, a true believer, or just in it for the souvenir cups, the magic scene in Vegas is as alive as ever — glitter, smoke, doves and all. Just don’t try any of it at home. Especially the tiger part.
How to Watch International Magic Specials from Anywhere (No Actual Wand Required)
Some of the best magic in the world isn’t on stage in Vegas or your local village fête — it’s hiding in streaming libraries across the globe, locked behind the invisible curtain known as regional restrictions. Yes, it’s 2025 and we still can’t watch everything, everywhere, all at once… unless you happen to have a trick or two up your sleeve. Spoiler: you don’t need to be Houdini — you just need a VPN.
Let’s say you’ve heard whispers of “Magic for Humans Japan”, the Japanese spin-off of the Netflix original that somehow makes sleight of hand even more joyful and awkward. Or maybe you’re desperate to watch David Blaine: Ascension, that time he literally floated into the clouds attached to balloons like a high-budget Up cosplay. These specials exist, but depending on your country, they might as well be trapped in a disappearing cabinet. That’s where a good VPN comes in — it lets you change your digital location faster than a magician can switch decks.
Using a VPN, you can access magic specials airing in the US, Japan, France, or wherever your favourite mind-bending content lives. Hulu has a backlog of Penn & Teller specials, while Disney+ in the US carries Magic Camp, and France’s streaming services have a surprisingly solid collection of illusionist documentaries (because of course they do). VPNs also come in handy if you’re travelling and want to keep watching your usual shows from back home — including the weird late-night reruns of The Paul Daniels Magic Show on satellite. (Yes, it’s still a thing.)
So, whether you’re a casual fan or the kind of person who owns a thumb tip and three invisible decks, don’t let borders block your binge. Fire up a VPN, pick your region, and vanish into a world of wonder. And if you’re looking for some scheduled magic closer to home, check out what’s airing this week on this UK TV listings guide — because sometimes the real trick is remembering what channel it’s on.
Fabrice Santoro: The Tennis Magician Who Played With Smoke and Mirrors
Some players win with brute force. Others, with endless stamina or ice-cold precision. But Fabrice Santoro? He won with something you don’t see in many tennis manuals: misdirection, flair, and what can only be described as stage magic in shorts. Nicknamed The Magician, Santoro wasn’t just a tennis player — he was a conjuror disguised as an athlete, turning Centre Court into his personal theatre of illusions.
Watching Santoro in his prime was like watching a street magician in the middle of a Grand Slam. You’d blink, and suddenly the ball had spun in a way that defied physics. Was that a slice forehand? A drop shot disguised as a rally ball? A lob from a position that didn’t allow for lobs? Yes. To all of it. Like a seasoned performer, he sold you one shot, then delivered something else entirely. He was the tennis equivalent of pulling a dove out of your sleeve and casually serving it down the T.
He left his mark on every surface, but the US Open always suited his showmanship — the late nights, the noise, the energy. You could almost see the rabbit in the hat when he played under the lights in Flushing Meadows. These days, the tournament still draws fans who appreciate a bit of drama with their tennis, and there are some great guides out there if you're planning your own trip — including one that breaks it all down with hotels, tickets and a few travel tricks of its own.
Santoro retired with more matches played than anyone else in the Open Era at the time — a testament to his longevity, yes, but also to his artistry. Because magicians don’t burn out; they reinvent. And while others fought with weapons, Santoro danced with deception. In a sport often ruled by power, he reminded us that magic — real magic — lies in touch, timing, and the ability to make the impossible look easy.