Magnetic resonance techniques for imaging the gastrointestinal (GI) tract continue to evolve as a result of rapid technical improvement. This review discusses the diagnostic and technical requirements for optimal bowel imaging and to what extent MR is capable of fulfilling these in comparison with established X-ray techniques. New approaches that have recently been demonstrated for the esophagus as well as small and large bowel are described. These developments indicate that MR imaging of the GI tract is likely to make the transition from research development to routine clinical application.