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In the animated fantasy movie Spellbound, a teenage princess, Ellian, sets off on an adventure to save her parents and the magical kingdom of Lumbria after a spell turns her parents into monsters.
The parents, who are also the royal couple, had been hiding from the people, but they are accidentally released. Thereafter, panic ensues. The Captain of the Guards immediately orders that the parents, or the monsters, be banished from Lumbria. Ellian decides to help her parents escape and seek help from the Oracles.
This, in turn, sets them on an adventure to the Lake of Light. Here, it is revealed that the infighting between the parents caused them to turn into monsters.
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To discover whether the spell will be lifted and what the future holds for Ellian and her family, watch Spellbound, which premiered on Netflix on November 22, 2024.
Here is a list of 7 movies to watch if you liked Netflix’s Spellbound.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
Spirited Away, Turning Red, and 5 other movies to watch if you liked the movie Spellbound
1) Spirited Away (2001)
A 10-year-old girl named Chihiro 'Sen' Ogino accidentally enters the world of spirits while moving to a new neighborhood. Spirited Away is a Japanese animated fantasy film produced by Studio Ghibli.
The young girl's parents are turned into pigs by a witch named Yubaba. Chihiro manages to get a job at the witch's bathhouse in the hopes of freeing her parents. At the bathhouse, Chihiro works for magical customers, hoping to find a way to return home with her parents and back to the human world.
The story also shows Chihiro's growth as she finds the strength to survive in a world where humans usually don’t last. Spirited Away is the only non-English-language animated film to have won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
In Spellbound, a young teenager embarks on an adventure to break a spell, while in Spirited Away, a 10-year-old girl tries to find a way to free her parents, who have been turned into pigs—similar to the way the parents in Spellbound are transformed into monsters.
Where to watch: HBO Max and Netflix
2) Turning Red (2022)
In Turning Red, as the title suggests, 13-year-old Meilin 'Mei' Lee turns into a giant red panda whenever she experiences strong emotions. This is not normal, as it is a hereditary curse. Mei first discovers this after her mother mocks her in public for having a crush on the local store clerk.
On the same night, Mei is engulfed by a strange nightmare and awakens to discover that she has turned into a red panda. She soon realizes that she only changes when she experiences strong emotions.
Turning Red is an animated coming-of-age fantasy comedy-drama film. A fun fact: this film marks the first Pixar feature film directed solely by a woman.
Turning Red and Spellbound both explore characters transforming into monsters and the journey they take to understand and reverse these changes.
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and more.
3) Coraline (2009)
Coraline is a dark fantasy horror film based on the 2002 novella of the same name by Neil Gaiman. Produced by Laika, it is the studio's first feature film and features the voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, and more.
Coraline lives with her parents, who are always busy with their professional work. Her father is often seen busily writing, as he is a gardening catalog writer, while her mother edits. 11-year-old Coraline feels deprived of love and attention from her parents and, as a result, she feels lonely, despite being quite the adventurer.
One day, she curiously discovers a secret door in her own house that leads her to a different world. In this world, she meets two lookalikes of her parents, who give her all the love and attention she craves.
She instantly falls in love with this side of the world. Not long after, Coraline realizes that the fake parents are trying to pull her into this world by making a terrifying sacrifice.
Both Spellbound and Coraline explore themes of familial love. In Spellbound, the daughter tries to find a way to save her parents, who have been turned into monsters, while in Coraline, the young girl realizes the importance of her real parents after discovering a terrifying alternate version of them.
Where to watch: Coraline is streaming on all major platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Netflix.
4) Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
A 1988 Japanese animated historical war drama film, Grave of the Fireflies is a production of Studio Ghibli. It is based on Akiyuki Nosaka's 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name.
The connection between Seita and his sister Setsuko and the fireflies is revealed in layers. Seita and Setsuko are children of a Japanese Navy captain, whose mother succumbs during the bombing of Kobe in the Pacific War. Her death is kept a secret from Setsuko.
With air raids common in place, the two siblings move to an abandoned shelter, where they light the place with fireflies. When the fireflies die, Setsuko buries them and learns the truth about their mother's death.
This film is haunting, with deaths and the depiction of fireflies undoubtedly stays with the audience long after the credits roll.
In Spellbound, Ellian faces a magical world that threatens her family. And in the same way as Ellian, Seita also has a protective instinct and is motivated by a desire to protect her loved ones.
Where to watch: Netflix
5) Encanto (2021)
Encanto is an animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The word "encanto" in Spanish means "enchantment" or "spell," which perfectly fits the story. The plot centers around the Madrigal family, where every member receives a magical gift when they come of age—except for the youngest daughter, Mirabel.
During an armed conflict, Alma Madrigal flees her village, and the magical candle she carries creates a sentient house, Casita, which protects them. At one point, Casita is in danger, and through the destruction and damage, the family learns important lessons about love, forgiveness, and restoration.
Encanto is similar to Spellbound in that family bonds are tested, and the fear of uncovering the truth prevents characters from fully understanding it.
Where to watch: Apple TV+, Disney+
6) My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
My Neighbor Totoro is a Japanese animated fantasy film produced by Studio Ghibli for Tokuma Shoten. As two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, move to a rural house near an ancient tree, they soon discover and befriend magical forest spirits.
Among them is the gentle Totoro, who can transport the sisters through the air by calling a giant cat bus that serves as a vehicle. They bond over time and spend time together, laughing, playing, and helping each other with tasks.
My Neighbor Totoro captures the magic and innocence of childhood in the countryside. Similar to My Neighbor Totoro, Spellbound also follows Ellian's adventure to the mystical Lake of Light, a magical place full of wonder and mystery.
Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix, and other streaming platforms.
7) Coco (2017)
The concept of Coco is inspired by the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. It tells the story of Miguel (voiced by Antony Gonzalez), an aspiring musician born into a family that has banned music.
When Miguel is transported to the Land of the Dead, he meets Hector, a trickster. Together, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind the curse on his family and find a way to return home. Miguel is doing this because he wants to return home and pursue his dream of becoming a musician once he breaks the curse.
Coco is an animated fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures.
Just like Ellian in Spellbound, Miguel in Coco is also trying to find a way to break the curse and restore everything to order.
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+
All seven movies including Spellbound are unique in their way, and animated films like these have no age limit—they can be enjoyed by anyone. Each one offers valuable takeaways and lessons. Go ahead and binge-watch them all now.
