With the number of movies out there about witches, you would think it was its own genre. On the contrary, you can find witch-related films that are comedic, romantic, adventurous, and of course, terrifying. With so many different tones, messages, and themes, it can be challenging to narrow down the right one to watch.
We've gone out and peered over the multitude of witch movies out there to pick out a top ten. It is simply based on how good each film is and the portrayal of the witch involved. The rankings have nothing to do with how evil or powerful the witch is in the movie.
Halloweentown
Though it comes in tenth here, there's a good chance that Halloweentown would top a list of the best Disney Channel original movies. This 1998 fan favorite tells the story of Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown), who loves Halloween and gets trained in the ways of witchcraft by her grandmother Aggie (Debbie Reynolds).
Fans love this movie and crave it every year as October 31 creeps up on the calendar. Disney Channel obliges. It manages to combine witches, ghosts, spells, and pretty much every other thing that makes Halloween great. But with the core story based around witches, it definitely deserves some love here.
Witches Of Eastwick
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more powerful trio of stars in a witch move than Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon, and Cher in 1987's Witches of Eastwick. The trio all lost their husbands to divorce, abandonment, and death. They don't know that they are witches and unintentionally form a coven.
Watching these women figure out the extent of their powers as a wild plot unravels around them is fascinating. Throw in Jack Nicholson basically playing the devil and you've got a recipe for success. Witches of Eastwick is one of the best horror comedies in history for a reason.
The Love Witch
This is not the kind of film you'd traditionally think of when someone tells you it's about a witch. 2016's The Love Witch, the brainchild of writer/director/producer Anna Biller, is a comedy that focuses on a witch named Elaine who uses her powers to get men to fall in love with her. It never goes well.
Samantha Robinson is fantastic as Elaine. The character escapes during an investigation into her husband's death. She finds a home in a gothic style mansion where she begins dabbling in the world of potion making. It's a unique take on this kind of movie, with a protagonist going after something selfish to disastrous results.
Witching & Bitching
Shaun of the Dead. What We Do In The Shadows. These are incredibly successful and well-received movies that take a comedic, almost parody-like take on zombies and vampires. 2013's Witching & Bitching works in the same vein for witchcraft. It took the idea, turned it on its head, and did unique things.
It is tough to pinpoint a genre for this film. It has elements of comedy, horror, and a good old fashioned heist flick. Witching & Bitching even goes into absurd territory with cannibalistic witches. That's an idea most people wouldn't even consider. It's witty, gory, and just a ton of fun.
The Witches
When the name Roald Dahl is mentioned, people usually think of family-friendly books and movies. Known for The BFG, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, that's an understandable thought to have. But in 1990, his book The Witches was turned into a movie and seemed to be geared towards adults.
This twisted, sometimes disturbing film centers around a witch who masquerades as a normal woman to deceive the children she sets out to kill. The way that the coven of disguised witches hide themselves is creative and the plot leads to plenty of thrilling moments. Dahl is one of the few people who aren't a fan, but that's because the film has a more upbeat ending than his book.
Suspiria
Suspiria is one of the strangest entries on this list. That's saying something considering most witch movies are pretty weird. In this film, an American woman heads to Germany to join an esteemed dance academy, only to find out that it's a front for a coven set out to do sinister things.
While the plot is an interesting one, what makes this movie stand out are the visuals. It's a masterpiece in that sense, with dazzling uses of colors and imagery. The score also adds a lot to a film that is hypnotic from start to finish. The 2018 remake starring Tilda Swinton is also worth a look.
The Craft
Movies based around teen drama were all the rage during the 90s. In 1996, Andrew Fleming brought us The Craft, a tale about a coven of witches in high school. It has gone on to become a cult classic that gets regular play on cable over two decades later.
The cast is a who's who of 90s Hollywood including Neve Campbell, Robin Tunney, and Fairuza Balk. Think of it as a John Hughes style movie, but with witchcraft involved. While it is loved for being a blast, it also tackles serious issues. Can it be melodramatic? Yes. Is it a damn good time? Absolutely.
The Wizard Of Oz
It's the most legendary movie ever to feature a witch. In 1939, The Wizard of Oz arrived and went on to become one of the most iconic films in history, regardless of genre. More often than not, the first witch that comes to your mind is Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West.
The Wicked Witch of the West is the go-to Halloween costume for anyone dressed as a witch. Her death scene is also one of the most memorable ever. As great as she is, she's not alone. This movie also featured Glinda the Good Witch, giving us a look at both the sweet and evil sides of these powerful characters.
The Witch
It's almost a no contest that 2015's The Witch ranks as the scariest film on this list. Set in the 1600s in New England, it follows a Puritan family who gets suspicious of their teenage daughter when her newborn baby brother is abducted. What really drives home the terror are the questions surrounding it all.
This family living on a secluded farm is either truly haunted by something lurking in the woods, or it is all in their heads, causing paranoia and panic. Featuring a stellar performance from Anya Taylor-Joy and fantastic work by director Robert Eggers, it's a must see if you enjoy a bone-chilling horror movie.
Hocus Pocus
The ultimate in cult classic witch films. Hocus Pocus, released in 1993, focuses on a trio of witch sisters who get accidentally resurrected and set out to kill the children who are out trick-or-treating. It's quite the hardcore premise for a kid-friendly Disney movie. Plus, it takes place in Salem, which is appropriate for anything relating to witches.
Even though it has a serious setup, Hocus Pocus remains an entertaining film that gets played every single year at Halloween. It's a staple of programming during the holiday. Putting it on brings you all of the nostalgia feels. With great music, a talking cat, and more, this movie has a little bit of everything for those who want to have a good time watching a witch movie.