Twisty Film Based on 1995 Novel Ranked Among Best ‘Mysteries That Are Even Better the Second Time'

Collider has just ranked the "8 Mystery Movies That Are Even Better the Second Time Around." Making the list are classic films like The Usual Suspects, Shutter Island, The Sixth Sense, The Others, Magnolia, Rear Window, and 12 Monkeys. However, one of the most underrated movies came in third, the 2006 science fiction thriller, The Prestige.

This Christopher Nolan film is packed with twists, which make rewatching a second or third time just as much fun as the original viewing. The story follows two nineteenth-century stage magicians (played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) who become bitter enemies after a tragedy occurs during a performance. There are also appearances by David Bowie, Michael Caine, and Scarlett Johansson.

The film, which is based on a 1995 book by Christopher Priest, has a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. As one reviewer said, "When you discover the secret to a magic trick, all you want is to re-watch it and see if you can spot the illusion, so too does The Prestige demand repeat viewings."

Another agreed with the sentiment. "Yes, the film is built on deceptions, and yes, it features a series of interconnected twists, but like all good movies and magic tricks, it doesn't lose any glory in a repeated performance or viewing, only gains it."

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The film was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. It was also nominated for two Saturn Awards for the Best Science Fiction Film and Best Costume Design. However, its popularity has only grown over the years. Several outlets, including Empire and The A.V. Club, have ranked it as one of the greatest films of the 21st century.

Although there are many fans who prefer the film over the book, the original story won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction and the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. As one reader said, "Really amazing. I thought I knew the real story based on the movie, but I was WRONG." Another said, "I prefer the movie from Christopher Nolan, but still an entertaining and unique read."

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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 7:19 AM.