🎩 Top 10 Must-Have Magic Tricks for May 2025

If you’re a magician looking to refresh your act or expand your arsenal, May 2025 has delivered a treasure trove of ingenious effects—from visual stunners to audience-pleasing mind-benders. Nick Locapo takes us through this month’s hottest releases, including hidden gems and even some frontrunners for Trick of the Year. Here's a breakdown of the top 10 tricks you won't want to miss.

1. InstruMental by David Jonathan and Nikolas Mavresis
A brilliant music-based mentalism effect. Borrow a spectator’s phone, play a song on mute via Spotify, and reveal that it matches their freely chosen track from a karaoke-style deck. No apps, no tech gimmicks—just clever, clean magic. This one blends tech and simplicity flawlessly.

2. Fine Imprint by Tim Trono
Craig Petty's latest coin magic miracle. Borrow a coin and reveal a chosen card permanently engraved on it. You get a full set of engraved coins and expert instruction on switches, forces, and reveals. Great for pocket miracles anytime, anywhere.

3. Tongue Tied by Mario Lopez
A wildly visual and unforgettable trick. Blow up a balloon, then tie it off using your tongue! A clever gimmick makes this surreal effect easy to pull off and perfect for parties or stage.

4. Quimera Box by Hernan Maccagno
A beautiful coins-across routine using a brass ring that fooled Penn & Teller and wowed live audiences. With elegant props and approachable handling, it’s ideal for performers who want a visually fooling, close-up coin miracle.

5. Instant Transfer by Will Tyrrell
An ultra-visual transposition where a signed card and a bill switch places instantly—like CGI happening live in your hands. It's practical, hits hard, and fits right in your wallet.

6. Going Up by Sean Ridgeway
A fresh spin on the ambitious card plot. A king visibly rises through a packet of four cards using gimmicked cards with no moving parts. Simple to perform and great for any skill level.

7. Holding Pattern by Alvo Stockman
Reveal three selected cards with a single playing card that “holds” images of the other two. Morphing ink effects create jaw-dropping visuals, and the routine is both simple and impactful—just one card added to your deck.

8. Raven Mini Penny by Penguin Magic
A fun addition to the classic Raven device. Shrink a penny in your spectator’s hand into a tiny souvenir they can keep. It’s magical, visual, and a perfect giveaway effect for any close-up magician.

9. Coinception by Roddy McGhie
This standout coin effect lets you visually assemble a quarter piece by piece at your fingertips, then hand it out as a souvenir. No moving parts or magnets—just classic Roddy McGhie ingenuity and a deviously clever gimmick. The method feels like a new form of coin sleight, and it’s available in both US quarter and UK 10p versions. Coin workers, this one's a must-see.

10. Super Shuffle System by Mark Calabrese
This utility device gives you powerful control over your card magic—even during a full, hands-on table wash. Maintain a short stack or a specific sequence despite the appearance of total chaos. It’s ideal for tricks like Snaps, or for preserving phone numbers, predictions, or stack work in routines. Once you understand what it’s capable of, it’ll quickly become a secret weapon in your toolkit.

These tricks range from high-tech to hands-on classics, offering something for every kind of performer. Whether you’re looking for a visual opener, a mind-reading miracle, or a pocket trick to impress at a moment’s notice, this month’s wishlist has you covered.

Ready to step up your magic game? Time to add these to your wishlist.