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Family fantasy film

Upside-Down Magic (2020): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Upside-Down Magic (2020) movie poster

Upside-Down Magic is a 2020 family fantasy film directed by Joe Nussbaum, starring Izabela Rose as Nory Boxwood Horace, Siena Agudong and Vicki Lewis. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes. Its Echo Score is 53/100. Stream it on Disney Plus and DisneyNOW, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Google Play Movies.

Upside-Down Magic (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Joe Nussbaum
Genres
Family , Fantasy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Upside-Down Magic About?

The premise of Upside-Down Magic without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Nory and her best friend Reina enroll in the prestigious Sage Academy for Magical Studies. However, Nory's unique and unpredictable powers place her in a special class for students with "upside-down" magic. Determined to prove that her unconventional abilities are just as valuable as those of her peers, Nory embarks on a journey of self-discovery and magical exploration.

Upside-Down Magic Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • disney channel
  • teen fantasy
Where to watch

Where to Watch Upside-Down Magic

Stream it on Disney Plus and DisneyNOW, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Google Play Movies. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Upside-Down Magic Cast & Characters

Izabela Rose leads the cast as Nory Boxwood Horace, with Siena Agudong as Reina Carvajal and Vicki Lewis as Headmaster Knightslinger. Directed by Joe Nussbaum; 24 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Upside-Down Magic

· 20 more
Show all 24 cast members
Ratings

Upside-Down Magic Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

53 /100

Upside-Down Magic Echo Score Breakdown

In overall assessment, Upside‑Down Magic delivers a modestly entertaining experience for younger viewers but fails to engage older audiences. The film leans heavily on familiar fantasy tropes, resulting in a predictable narrative that lacks originality. While some visual effects and the central message about self‑acceptance resonate, the execution feels formulaic and the characterizations are shallow. Consequently, the movie offers limited appeal beyond its target demographic, yielding a mixed, middling impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents competent production design and occasional well‑executed special effects, yet overall visual storytelling feels derivative. Direction does not distinguish itself from standard fantasy formulas, and editing offers a straightforward pacing without notable flair. The cinematography adheres to conventional color palettes, lacking distinctive style. Consequently, the craftsmanship is adequate but unremarkable, reflecting a modest technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances are generally serviceable but lack depth, with several portrayals described as clichéd or misaligned with source material. Some viewers note moments of genuine warmth and relatability among the youth ensemble, yet chemistry among leads feels uneven. The emotional resonance is thus constrained, delivering brief engagement for children while falling short of compelling adult investment.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative centers on a magical academy, employing a familiar coming‑of‑age framework that many find predictable. Plot progression is linear, with limited twists, resulting in a measured but unremarkable pacing. While the underlying message of self‑acceptance provides positive thematic content for its intended younger audience, the overall storytelling lacks the originality needed to captivate a broader viewership.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    The sensory experience offers a bright color palette and well‑produced magical effects that occasionally stand out. Soundtrack cues align with the whimsical tone, though the score remains conventional. Visual cohesion is maintained, but the film does not experiment with stylistic boldness. Overall, the audiovisual elements are competent, supporting the story without delivering memorable innovation.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch potential is limited; while younger viewers may find the story enjoyable enough for another viewing, the predictable plot and lack of depth deter adult audiences from returning. The film's charm rests primarily on its whimsical premise and message of self‑acceptance, which may spark occasional repeat interest among children but fails to sustain broader long‑term appeal.

Plot

Upside-Down Magic Plot Summary

What happens in Upside-Down Magic from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Elinor “Nory” Boxwood-Horace and Reina Carvajal discover they possess magical powers: Nory can transform into animals, and Reina can control fire. They enroll at Sage Academy, a prestigious magic school.

At Sage Academy, students are sorted into specialized classes that match their abilities: the Flare class for fire users, the Fluxer class for those who turn into animals, the Flyer class for short-distance flight, the Fuzzy class for those who can talk to animals, and the Flicker class for levitation. The two friends must prove themselves worthy of the honors tracks by testing their powers, all while living under the school’s rules known as the Sage Way.

Full summary

The whole story of Upside-Down Magic, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Upside-Down Magic Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Upside-Down Magic.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Upside-Down Magic?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the prestigious magic school where the main characters enroll?

Details

Upside-Down Magic Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Волшебство наизнанку” and “Магія-навпаки”.

Also known as
  • Волшебство наизнанку
  • Магія-навпаки
  • Магія-наоборот
  • Magia del revés
  • Совсем другая магия
  • Magia Invertida
  • 逆轉魔法
  • L'école de la magie
  • Tótágas mágia
  • Mágia hore nohami
  • Uvrnuta magija
  • Magia Ao Contrário
+15 more
  • Magia na opak
  • Μαγικά από την ανάποδη
  • Magie vzhůru nohama
  • Магія-Догори дриґом
  • 업사이드 다운 매직
  • Upside-Down Magic: Escola de Magia
  • 颠倒的魔法
  • קסם בלתי נשכח
  • Upside-Down Magic - Magie steht Kopf
  • ด้วยพลังแห่งเวทมนตร์ประหลาด
  • Несъвършена магия
  • Yarım Yamalak Sihir
  • Upside-Down Magic - Magia Imperfetta
  • Magie cu Susul în Jos
  • アップサイドダウン・マジック

Seen Upside-Down Magic?

FAQ

Upside-Down Magic FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Upside-Down Magic, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Upside-Down Magic?

Upside-Down Magic runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Upside-Down Magic released?

Upside-Down Magic was released on July 31, 2020.

Who directed Upside-Down Magic?

Upside-Down Magic was directed by Joe Nussbaum.

More films by Joe Nussbaum

Who is in the cast of Upside-Down Magic?

Upside-Down Magic stars Izabela Rose as Nory Boxwood Horace, Siena Agudong as Reina Carvajal and Vicki Lewis as Headmaster Knightslinger, among 24 credited actors.

Where can I watch Upside-Down Magic?

In the US, Upside-Down Magic is streaming on Disney Plus, DisneyNOW and fuboTV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube (availability from JustWatch).

Does Upside-Down Magic have a post-credit scene?

No. Upside-Down Magic has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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