The film Enchanted, and its 2022 sequel, Disenchanted, clash a magical fairytale world with the real world. When Giselle comes to the real world, she brings cleaning animals and an evil witch into the ordinary, non-magical existence.

Just as this film blends realistic life experiences with magic, other magical realism films incorporate the magical with the real world as well. While not all magical realism movies include the fairytale concepts seen in happily-ever-after tales, they all use some strange magical elements in a realistic setting. These films are some of the best in magical realism according to Redditors.

About Time (2013)

Stream On Hulu

About Time is a fan-favorite romance movie, but it's much more than a love story. In this film, Tim learns that the men in his family can time travel. However, despite the fact that he can't control his powers, he holds on to his love for Mary and the bond they create.

This is one of the best magical realism movies that also succeeds in incorporating a heartwarming love story. Reddit user Gatsu871113 said, "It really is a tender movie that doesn't just do the typical boy meets girl cash grab. It's also a movie about mortality and a man's relationship with his father." As this viewer points out, this movie incorporates magic while giving the audience a touching story about family and overcoming obstacles.

Palm Springs (2020)

Stream On Hulu

Like the new movie Meet Cute, Palm Springs focuses on a time loop. Sarah and Nyles get stuck reliving a wedding over and over again. While Sarah begins to freak out and becomes obsessed with getting out, Nyles accepts the situation.

While the time loop is a common trope in magical realism, Reddit user TinyDancer250 points out, "it transcends a very tired genre and somehow makes it new!" Magic isn't apparent in this film, but the situation the two characters find themselves is in truly fantastical. This film strives to freshen up the time loop trope with the modern era and a good touch of humor.

Yesterday (2019)

Stream On Fubo

Yesterday nails the magical realism genre. In this story, Jack finds himself in a world that has forgotten about The Beatles. As an aspiring musician himself, he takes this opportunity to utilize these famous but forgotten songs and becomes a famous musician.

This magical realism tale was exciting for fans that are sick of dream worlds. Reddit user Bayou_Mama said, "I was so worried while watching Yesterday that it was going to end with him waking up and everything was back to normal. I was so glad that didn’t happen." Instead of making dreams come true to become just a life lesson, this story strives to create a fresh take on a "what if" scenario that alters the character's way of life.

The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017)

Stream On Showtime

A dark tale incorporating elements of magical realism, The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a chilling movie. The story follows a doctor who is told by the son of one of his patients he lost in surgery that his family will continue to get sick and die until one of them dies to restore the imbalance created when this patient died.

While this movie is quite dark, Reddit user 00Shambles points out, "it’s an offbeat movie for sure but it’s interesting and well done." This dark magical realism film explores the more ominous use of the fantastical by incorporating a balance of life and death. It's certainly morbid in nature, but with stellar performances and a chilling ending that will stick with viewers long after watching.

Under The Silver Lake (2019)

Stream On Showtime

In the dark comedy Under The Silver Lake, Sam meets a mysterious woman that he becomes obsessed with after she disappears from their apartment complex. He goes on a journey to uncover the truth, encountering strange and unexplainable events along the way.

This film is debatably magical realism, but as Reddit user Sisyphus_Salad points out, "it has absurdist elements, and much of the film is up to interpretation." While there is no clear-cut magic in this film, many viewers consider it to fall into this genre because of the mysterious events that seem to have no clear, logical meaning.

Birds Of Passage (2019)

Stream On The Roku Channel

In the Spanish crime film Birds of Passage, a Columbian family gets involved in the booming marijuana industry that not only proves to be dangerous for all of them but ultimately tears apart their family and destroys their connection with their culture.

This film is a cultural commentary, but with magical elements that transcend a normal crime film. Reddit user Geopoliticz said, "it isn't dripping in magical realism but it has elements which recur throughout the film..." The story of this tribe is a good starter film for those that are interested in magical realism without being overwhelmed with exceedingly fantastical themes.

Ponyo (2009)

Stream On HBO Max

Ponyo is a Studio Ghibli film that explores magic and the unique way it can leak into the human world in magical realism films. Ponyo is a fish from the sea that is rescued by a human boy Sosuke who helps the fish in his journey to become a human.

Reddit user GermanGhost said, "Ponyo does a good job balancing its fantastical elements with a somewhat realistic feeling small fishing town." The magical elements are more apparent in this film, but it also blends nicely with the human world Ponyo finds himself in and seeks to be a part of.

Beasts Of The Southern Wild (2012)

Stream On The Roku Channel

In Beasts of the Southern Wild, a young girl named Hushpuppy lives in the Louisiana bayou with her ailing father Wink. Destruction ensues in their small town when ice breaks in the ocean, releasing mythical creatures known as aurochs.

Reddit user vherearezechews points out that this film is one of the best "representations of magical realism and does have a unique surrealist feel." While much of this film focuses on this young girl and her difficult life, it also incorporates magical beings to showcase the unique strength of Hushpuppy's will.

Big Fish (2004)

Stream On Starz

In the wake of his father's deadly illness, Will tries to understand his father, Edward, better by going on a journey to explore the outlandish stories his father told him throughout his childhood. The recounts of Edward's life in Big Fish incorporate witches, giants, and a true love story.

Reddit user ChickenNuggetMike didn't expect much out of this film but then admitted they found "the whole world is magical in such a grounded way." This unique take on magical realism incorporates magical elements while holding onto the realistic nature of how normal human life can still be filled with fantastic excitement.

Time Of The Gypsies (1988)

Available To Rent Or Buy On Amazon

The coming-of-age story Time of The Gypsies follows a Yugoslavian boy, Perhan, with telekinetic powers who gets pulled into the glamour of a high-crime lifestyle which ultimately threatens to tear his world apart and destroy everything he loves.

One Reddit user highly recommended this film saying, "it's a sweeping, energetic film that mixes humor, drama, and sorrow seamlessly. The magic realism is a plot element that's not necessarily at the forefront but importantly appears throughout." This grand tale is another inspiring interpretation of how magic can be used to highlight the obstacles of a difficult life.

Next: Amy Adams' 10 Best Performances, According To Reddit