From horror to comedy to romance, witches have taken many forms throughout film history.

The 15 best witch movies, from The Wizard of Oz to Weapons

From horror to comedy to romance, witches have taken many forms throughout film history.

By Clark Collis,

EW's editorial guidelines

Kevin Jacobsen,

and Britt Hayes

September 4, 2026 5:00 p.m. ET

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Anya Taylor-Joy in ‘The Witch’; Amy Madigan in ‘Weapons’; Anjelica Huston in ‘The Witches’. Credit:

Rafy/A24; Quantrell Colbert/Warner Bros.; Everett

Since the early days of cinema, witches have haunted heroes of all ages. The classic archetype depicts them as magical beings brewing potions and casting spells, often for devious purposes. Film has helped define the iconography of witches, including the familiar pointy-hat-and-broomstick look, but those depictions have evolved considerably over the years. The hideous crones of *Häxan* (1922) and *The Wizard of Oz* (1939) eventually shared the screen with the seductive supernatural protagonists of *The Witches of Eastwick* (1987) and *Practical Magic* (1998).

As witches have increasingly been depicted as complex characters who can’t be neatly defined as either heroes or villains, movies have moved away from the cartoonish stereotypes of yesteryear. Whether subverting our expectations or bludgeoning them to pieces, witch movies have (mostly) ditched the broomsticks in favor of characters and performances that are more compelling, more darkly comedic, and infinitely more chilling.

We tossed an eye of newt, some frog’s breath, and a few eyeballs into a cauldron to summon this list of the 15 best witch movies of all time.

Häxan (1922)

Maren Pedersen in ‘Häxan’.

This silent faux-documentary chronicles the sociological phenomenon of witchcraft from the Middle Ages to the modern age. Interspersed with dramatic reenactments, the influential Swedish film explores superstitions and witch hunts through history, which, as demonstrated by the rest of this list, would fascinate filmmakers over the next century. *—Kevin Jacobsen*

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Margaret Hamilton in ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Everett Collection

Frank Morgan’s wizard may get titular billing, but it is Margaret Hamilton’s vengeance-seeking Wicked Witch of the West (and her platoon of flying monkeys) who brings the scares in this terrifying-for-small-kids classic movie musical. *—Clark Collis*

I Married a Witch (1942)

Veronica Lake in ‘I Married a Witch’. Everett Collection

The plot of this hilarious romantic comedy is absurd, but that’s part of its charm. Centuries after being burned at the stake, a witch named Jennifer (Veronica Lake) magically reappears and tries to torment the descendant of the puritan who led the charge against her — only to fall in love with him. Hijinks ensue! *—K.J.***

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Angela Lansbury in ‘Bedknobs and Broomsticks’.

*The Wizard of Oz*’s Glinda proclaimed there are good witches and bad witches, and Miss Eglantine Price (Angela Lansbury) falls decidedly in the good witch camp. In this delightful children’s fantasy film, Miss Price is an apprentice witch left in charge of three orphans during World War II, and she recruits them to aid in her magical quest to find spells to fight against the Nazis. *—K.J.***

Suspiria (1977)

Jessica Harper in ‘Suspiria’. 20th Century Studios

“The only thing more terrifying than the last 12 minutes of *Suspiria* are the first 92.” So declared the unnerving trailer for *giallo* master Dario Argento’s gorgeously atmospheric tale of spooky goings-on at a German dance school. *—C.C.*

The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Jack Nicholson and Cher in ‘The Witches of Eastwick’. Everett Collection

A trio of witches — played by Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer — summon up the ideal man: Enter Jack Nicholson’s “horny little devil.” George Miller directs, in his first non-*Mad Max* outing, from the novel by John Updike. Come for the air of louche sexuality, the terrific performances from the three female leads, and Nicholson’s larger-than-life performance. Stay to see Veronica Cartwright’s uptight rumormonger vomit her weight in cherry stones. *—C.C.*

The Witches (1990)

Jasen Fisher and Anjelica Huston in ‘The Witches’. Everett Collection

The great Anjelica Huston is unforgettable as a witch leader hellbent on turning children into mice in director Nicolas Roeg’s Jim Henson-assisted adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantasy novel. Another adaptation of Dahl’s story was released decades later starring Anne Hathaway, but we suggest you stick with the 1990 version. *—C.C.*

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Hocus Pocus (1993)

Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy in ‘Hocus Pocus’. Everett Collection

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are a trio of 17th-century witch sisters resurrected in 1990s Salem in director Kenny Ortega’s beloved Halloween favorite. The film finally earned a sequel 29 years later on Disney+. *—C.C.*

The Craft (1996)

Rachel True, Neve Campbell, and Fairuza Balk in ‘The Craft’. Everett Collection

Rachel True, Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, and Robin Tunney are a quartet of put-upon high school students who turn things around for themselves by forming a coven. What could go wrong? Except, like, *everything*. *—C.C.*

Practical Magic (1998)

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock in ‘Practical Magic’.

The good news? Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) are witches with supernatural powers. The bad? Every man with whom they fall in love dies an untimely death in this movie from *An American Werewolf in London* star Griffin Dunne. *—C.C.***

The Witch (2015)

Anya Taylor-Joy and Harvey Scrimshaw in ‘The Witch’.

Anya Taylor-Joy is Thomasin, the eldest child of an isolated Puritan family in writer-director Robert Eggers’ creep-fest. All hell breaks loose when the clan’s baby disappears while in Thomasin’s care. Could a woods-dwelling witch be responsible? Spoiler alert: Yes! *—C.C.*

The Love Witch (2016)

Samantha Robinson in ‘The Love Witch’. Oscilloscope

*Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* actress Samantha Robinson plays the titular character, a potion-making seductress whose attempt to find her Prince Charming has disastrous consequences, in this singular and highly-stylized pastiche of ’60s movies. *—C.C.*

Suspiria (2018)

Tilda Swinton in ‘Suspiria’. Willy Vanderperre/Amazon Studios

Luca Guadagnino reimagines the Argento classic in this haunting film about a dancer (Dakota Johnson) who uncovers a sinister coven at a dance academy in Cold War-era Berlin. Featuring Tilda Swinton in a trio of roles, *Suspiria* is as brutal as it is breathtaking. —*Britt Hayes*

Gretel & Hansel (2020)

Sophia Lillis in ‘Gretel & Hansel’. Pat Redmond/Orion Pictures

The slow-burn aesthetic of director Oz Perkins works perfectly in this new version of the sinister fairy tale, starring Sophia Lillis as Gretel and Alice Krige as the witch. *—C.C.*

Weapons (2025)

Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys in ‘Weapons’.

Quantrell Colbert/Warner Bros.

Zach Cregger’s second solo feature explores the fallout after an entire classroom of children abruptly run out of their homes in the middle of the night and disappear. The mysterious event coincides with the arrival of the eccentric Gladys, played by Amy Madigan in an Oscar-winning performance. —*B.H.*

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