While Anthony Hopkins is widely celebrated for his Academy Award-winning performance in The Silence of the Lambs, his earlier work in the horror genre is gaining renewed attention. Nearly five decades after its initial release, the 1978 cult classic Magic is returning to the spotlight with a brand new physical edition from Shout! Studios and Scream Factory.
The limited Steelbook set includes both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray discs, boasting a newly restored version of the film derived directly from the original camera negative. To provide deeper insight into the late-seventies production, the release features multiple new audio commentary tracks recorded by film critics Drew McWeeny, Emily Higgins, and Billy Dunham. The set is currently available for pre-order at select retailers and is officially scheduled to hit shelves on December 29, 2026.
Beyond the restored picture and sound, the package offers a variety of bonus features across its two discs. These extras include a radio interview with Anthony Hopkins, an Ann-Margret makeup test, as well as trailers and various TV and radio spots from the original campaign. The film, directed by Richard Attenborough and written by William Goldman based on his 1976 novel, follows Corky, a failed magician played by Hopkins who adopts a ventriloquist dummy named Fats. As Corky pursues a television opportunity and reconnects with an old high school love, Peggy, the seemingly inanimate dummy begins to exhibit its own disturbing will.
The cast also features Burgess Meredith and Ed Lauter alongside Hopkins and Ann-Margret. This physical reissue arrives ahead of news regarding a new adaptation of the source material. It was reported earlier this year that Sam Raimi is set to direct a modern version of Magic for Lionsgate. Described as an adaptation of the original novel rather than a direct remake of the 1978 film, this upcoming project has not yet announced its cast or a release date.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.