The Magician (1958)
Kernel Score: 81% · 240 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Drama
Released: 1958-12-26
Runtime: 102 minutes
Where to watch The Magician
- Stream: Kanopy, The Criterion Channel
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Darkroom
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
A traveling magician and his troupe arrive in a Swedish town in the 1840s, where their act is scrutinized by local authorities and a skeptical medical official. Their stay leads to a series of confrontations that test the boundaries between performance, belief, and deception.
The Magician parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that this Ingmar Bergman drama involves themes of witchcraft, deception, and paranoia but no explicit content per available signals.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Tense confrontations and paranoia-driven conflict, but no depicted graphic violence in the signals.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Magician
If you liked The Magician, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Sunset Boulevard (1950) — 92%
- The Seventh Seal (1957) — 89%
- The Prestige (2006) — 95%
- The Working Class Goes to Heaven (1971) — 87%
- tick, tick... BOOM! (2021) — 85%
- Relay (2025) — 77%
- Ghostland (2018) — 84%
- Time of the Gypsies (1988) — 85%
Director
Cast
- Max von Sydow as Albert Emanuel Vogler
- Ingrid Thulin as Manda Vogler
- Gunnar Björnstrand as Dr. Vergerus / Minister of Health
- Naima Wifstrand as Granny Vogler
- Bengt Ekerot as Johan Spegel
- Bibi Andersson as Sara Lindqvist
- Gertrud Fridh as Ottilia
- Lars Ekborg as Simson
- Toivo Pawlo as Starbeck
- Erland Josephson as Consul Egerman
The Magician FAQ
Is The Magician good?
The Magician has an 81% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 240 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Magician?
In the US you can stream The Magician on Kanopy and The Criterion Channel, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Darkroom and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Magician OK for kids?
The Magician is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that this Ingmar Bergman drama involves themes of witchcraft, deception, and paranoia but no explicit content per available signals.
What movies are like The Magician?
If you liked The Magician, try Sunset Boulevard, The Seventh Seal, The Prestige and The Working Class Goes to Heaven.