The best magical movies

1THE SWORD IN THE STONE (1963)

ECCENTRIC wizard Merlin teaches a young Arthur about the power – and danger – of magic in this enchanting animated movie based on T H White’s classic book.

2MARY POPPINS (1964)

MAGICAL nanny Mary Poppins shows her two young charges that the world is full of enchantment as she casts her spell on everyone around her.

3BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS (1971)

THREE young children from war-time London find themselves moving in with an aspiring witch who transports them to magical worlds with talking, football-loving animals in this Disney family classic.

4HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE (2001)

THE first movie appearance of writer JK Rowling’s boy wizard introduced cinema audiences to the magic of Hogwarts school and all manner of creatures, from giants to unicorns.

5BEWITCHED (2005)

NICOLE KIDMAN starred in this updated version of the popular American TV series about a nose-twitching modern-day witch who tries to hold back her magic when she falls for a human.

6STARDUST (2007)

A SLEEPY community shares a border with a magical realm where witches plot to stay young forever and stars fall to Earth and come alive.

7THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (2008)

A YOUNG boy discovers fairies, monsters and all manner of magical creatures when he and his family move into a rundown house.