The Hallmark Channel is the go-to place for cozy Christmas movies and corny romance. Fans of calming, peaceful shows can also catch up on the beloved series Good Witch which has aired for six seasons and recently got renewed for a seventh.
Before the TV series, Hallmark aired seven Good Witch movies, and there is usually one every year focused on Halloween or a guest at Grey House. For those wanting to check out this franchise, which is the equivalent of comfort food or a nice walk on a sunny fall day, are the movies a better option or does the TV show stand out more?
Movies: More Of A Focus On Cassie's Magic
There are many good episodes of the TV show Good Witch, but the movies focus much more on Cassie Nightingale's magic. Everyone seems a bit more aware that she has powers and this makes the films more entertaining.
Cassie's "good witch" status is very subtle on the TV series, and while the other characters smile when she can tell that someone is about to walk into a room, that's about it as far as her being a witch.
TV Show: Sam Is A Better Love Interest Than Jake
While both Sam Radford and Jake Russell are likeable Good Witch characters, there's something special about Sam and Cassie's romance.
Sam is definitely a better love interest than Jake, which means that the TV show wins this round. He and Cassie have a cool rapport, especially since he's a traditional doctor who practices Western medicine and she believes in healing with natural methods.
Movies: Abigail Is More Interesting
In the 2011 movie The Good Witch's Family, Cassie's cousin Abigail visits, and she's supposed to be an evil witch as opposed to Cassie's good one.
Abigail is much more compelling as a negative figure. On the TV show, her character is toned down quite a bit so she's yet another friendly face in Middleton. But in this film she's a huge problem for Cassie and that creates much more conflict.
TV Show: Cassie And Grace's Dynamic Is Sweet
Cassie and her daughter Grace are both smart Good Witch characters, and their dynamic is sweet and special.
This is something that is missing from the movies since Grace doesn't even appear in many of them. She's a newborn in the 2012 movie The Good Witch's Charm. Since Grace is a teenager in the TV series, that gives more room for character depth.
Movies: More Streamlined Storytelling And Themes
The TV show has some filler plots and episodes, like all the times that Sam's mean ex-wife Linda appears. It's clear that she and Sam won't work out, so it seems strange that the early seasons devote so much air time to her.
The movies are better because they offer up more streamlined storytelling, mostly because each one has a theme. In The Good Witch's Charm, Cassie has to defend herself to Middleton when people see a video where she seems to disappear into thin air. In the two Halloween-themed movies, Cassie and the town are celebrating this beloved holiday.
TV Show: Cassie Rebuilds Her Life After Tragedy
No one's life is perfect... not even someone who has magical powers and can give the best advice out there.
The TV show version of Good Witch is better because Cassie rebuilds her life after the tragedy of losing her husband and the father of her child Grace. It's inspiring to watch her become the owner of Grey House and also run her store on the main street of Middleton. Cassie proves that healing and moving on are totally possible and that everyone goes through hard times.
Movies: There's More Action Happening
In the 2019 movie Curse From A Rose, Cassie has to deal with Autumn, whom she lived with in college and who is super envious of her. Nick also looks for a sea monster that is said to be in Middleton. And in the 2018 movie Tale of Two Hearts: The Heart Of Middleton, a ruby that is very important to the town is stolen, and Cassie has to figure out what happened.
Sure, Cassie isn't a heroine in an action film, but in these two movies, she does try to help the town in more pressing ways than on the TV show.
TV Show: The Formula Works
Like most shows, there's a formula on the Good Witch series, and it works really well.
In most episodes, Cassie welcomes a new guest (or guests) to Grey House, and she helps them solve a problem that is upsetting them. Or perhaps she shows them a new way to be happy that they had never even considered before. This is a bigger part of the TV show than the films and it's always moving.
Movies: Brandon And Lori Are Better Crafted Characters
In the films, Cassie gets to know Jake's kids, Brandon and Lori, and they are nice, charming people who fit right into Middleton's community.
These characters pop up randomly on the TV show but they never seem to be as well-drawn. They lose quite a bit of personality and Cassie doesn't seem to have as much of a relationship with them.
TV Show: The Focus On Elizabeth Merriwick
Fans of Good Witch are familiar with Elizabeth Merriwick, who used to own Grey House. She and Cassie are related and so Cassie loves learning more about her history.
The TV show features a lot of magical moments about Elizabeth. Sam uses her ring to propose to Cassie, and Grace even writes some stories that actually happened to her. This family history is charming and definitely proves that there are no spooky horror movie witches here.