The 2022 movie Three Thousand Years of Longing, starring Idris Elba as the Djinn and Tilda Swinton, features its own spin on the Djinn myth, or genie. Another recent Djinn to appear in media is What We Do in the Shadows when Nandor accidentally summons a very deadpan Djinn who quietly grants his many silly wishes, albeit at a price.
These are only the latest interpretations of the Djinn, or genie, and there have been dozens of interpretations of genies in TV and film. From hilarious and whimsical animated characters to more powerful and dynamic beings in sweeping fantasies, IMDb s have recognized these genie-themed movies and television series as some of the best.
Jeannie (1973-1975) - 6.0
Streaming on Crackle
Jeannie is an animated spinoff of the classic sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, starring pre-Star Wars Mark Hamill as Corey Anders, a teenage boy who finds Jeannie (Julie McWhirter) on a California beach.
While the series is a spin-off of I Dream of Jeannie, the only connecting factor is the premise and the titular character. Yet Jeannie is instead a teenage girl, and has comedic apprentice named Babu. The series also is geared toward a younger audience, with a focus on high school situations instead.
Adam Green's Aladdin (2016) - 6.2
Streaming on adamgreenofficial YouTube channel
Written and directed by songwriter Adam Green, this is a modern comedic take on Aladdin featuring the talents of Macaulay Culkin, Natasha Lyonne, and Alia Shawkat (known for Arrested Development).
The genie in this version is named Mustafa (played by Italian artist sco Clemente), who interacts with Aladdin similarly to Siri, and has a lamp that acts as a 3D printer. Other modern updates to the story include Aladdin being an indie rock singer and a princess being a reality TV star. However, despite its bright and whimsical atmosphere, this version of Aladdin is not suitable for children.
Monster High: 13 Wishes (2013) - 6.7
Streaming on Amazon Prime
Monster High features a number of characters based on supernatural creatures and characters from classic horror. In this animated Monster High movie, Howleen tries to become popular with the help of a genie who grants her 13 wishes.
There are two genies in this film, Gigi Grant and her shadow sister Whisp. Whisp is Gigi's living shadow and surrogate sister, however, the two have falling out after Gigi leaves the lamp to help Howleen. This ultimately causes Whisp to turn antagonistic and sabotages peoples' wishes with selfish ones.
Under the Shadow (2016) - 6.8
Streaming on Netflix
Under the Shadow is a Persian-language horror film, which focuses on a mother and daughter that are haunted by a djinn in the 1980s during the War of the Cities.
The Djinn in this film is very sinister and behaves more like a ghost or demon rather than the traditional wish-granting depiction they normally get in pop culture. In this psychological horror, they are able to possess people and haunt dreams like ghostly apparitions, bringing a more malevolent side to the myth.
The Genie Family (1969-1970) - 6.9
Available on Blu-ray
The Genie Family is an anime series that focuses on a Japanese family that gets two genies after son Kan finds their bottles. This is a very comedic take on genies with the two having very different distinct personalities.
Hakushon, the older male genie is very clumsy, and Akubi his daughter uses her skills as a trickster by deliberately misinterpreting wishes. The two are even summoned in an unusual and comedic way, which is whenever the holder of the bottle sneezes or yawns.
Aladdin (2019) - 6.9
Streaming on Disney+
The live-action remake of the 1992 Disney animated movie starred Will Smith as the now iconic Genie. While Smith isn't quite as memorable as Robin William's depiction in the 1992 film he does put his own unique twist on the role.
The Genie becomes human at the end of the film, and it is in this form that he narrates the film, which adds an extra presence to the role. Smith's Genie also has his own love interest in this version in the form of Jasmine's handmaiden Dalia (Nasim Pedrad).
The Genie from Down Under (1996-1998) - 7.3
Streaming on Twisted Lunchbox - Australia’s Best Kids TV YouTube Channel
In series The Genie from Down Under, Penelope Townes, a snobbish and aristocratic teenage girl, is magically transported from her estate in England to an inherited ranch in the Australian Outback by two Australian genies, Bruce and his son Baz.
Bruce and Baz come from an opal necklace Penelope finds rather than a more traditional lamp. However, like many genies, they twist the wishes they are forced to grant, which they do so with a wave of their hands. To further add to the plot, Bruce falls in love with Penelope's mother, which creates an unusual dynamic.
The Thief of Baghdad (1940) - 7.4
Streaming on HBO Max
The Thief of Baghdad is considered a classic in the fantasy genre for many moviegoers. The evil Grand Vizier Jaffar has King Ahmed and the thief Abu removed from Baghdad, and now Ahmed must get back to the Princess.
Initially, the almighty Genie does not get along with Abu at all when he is first released and, in fact, tries to kill him. Yet Abu uses his wiles to trick the genie into his command. This is a more classic take on the genie myth, including moral lessons in being careful with wishes, be it wasting them or how the wish is worded.
I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970) - 7.4
Streaming on Amazon Prime
The classic sitcom I Dream of Jeannie focuses on U.S. astronaut Captain Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman) finds Jeannie (Barbara Eden, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best TV Actress in a Comedy or Musical) while stranded on a deserted island, and she follows him back home to Florida.
Despite Jeannie's constantly wanting to please him, Captain Tony Nelson frees Jeannie on her first day out of the lamp and never takes advantage of her. This creates a more unique and ahead-of-the-time Genie and Master relationship. Jeannie and Tony's romance is also surprisingly slow-paced and the two don't end up together until the final season.
Aladdin (1992) - 8.0
Streaming on Disney+
There's little question that the most famous genie in popular culture is the zany Genie from Disney's Aladdin. Voiced by the late Robin Williams, the Genie can be considered one of the greatest Disney creations of all time.
William's over-the-top fourth wall-breaking Genie also has a softer sensitive side though, and truly cares about Aladdin's happiness. He has many memorable moments, including his musical numbers "Friend Like Me" and "Prince Ali." But this isn't the only genie in the movie. In the movie's climax, the villain Jafar uses his final wish to become a genie himself.
