It’s always the witching hour, somewhere. That means there’s never a wrong time to be watching a back-to-back run of the best witch-themed movies, but perhaps there’s no better time than as Halloween approaches. We’ve pulled together a list of the top pointy-hatted films for your very own home festival.
There’s a broach church (coven?) when it comes to witch-based movies, from the spookiest horror to family friendly fun, so we’ve ensured that there’s a film in here that’ll suit you and yours. The pictures on offer range from 1968 to 2016, from animations to hiding-behind-the-couch horror, with a good smattering of stone-cold classics.
Read on for our top witch watches, and where to find them.
Robert Eggers, behind the forthcoming Nosferatu reimagining, directs the amazing Anya Taylor-Joy in this 17th century tale of a Puritan family and their fears of evil in the woods.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
The ‘90s classic that began the found-footage format in earnest, the original Blair Witch Project remains the scariest and the best. You’ll never again be able to see a person standing, facing a wall without chills.
Where to watch: Peacock
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in a movie screams “NINETIES!” and joyously so. Two sisters with latent witch powers give themselves a crash course in magic before accidentally resurrecting a dead boyfriend with an evil spirit.
Where to watch: Max
Is it the best witch movie ever? It’s up there. The dream team of Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell and Fairuza Balk go Heathers-with-magic in their Catholic high school.
Disney’s early-90s family-friendly witch movie is a perfect Halloween night watch with the kids, as three sister witches are awakened after 300 years of sleep, battled by a group of kids and a magic cat.
Where to watch: Disney+
Anna Biller directs Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks, a witch who attempts to use magic to have men fall in love with her. It’s a tribute to ‘60s horror, plus a modern comedy with a sharp wit on gender roles.
Jack Nicholson attempts to steal the show, and gloriously falls short, against the impossible force of Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cher in this wonderfully campy dark comedy. Oh, and it’s directed by George “Mad Max” Miller!
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime
Marnie discovers she’s a witch on her 13th birthday, then finds a secret portal to Halloweentown, in this Disney adventure that’s suitable for all ages.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Another Disney movie, this time aimed at older kids, where Emily Blunt and (er) James Corden must enter a fairytale forest to remove a curse created by evil witch, Meryl Streep. It’s a star-studded musical, based on the Sondheim show, also starring Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Johnny Depp and Christine Baranski.
Where to watch: Disney+
What could go wrong when Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy (John Cassavetes) move into an infamously supernatural New York apartment with the intention of starting a family? Oh, so, so much in this all-time horror classic by the enormously problematic Roman Polankski.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
If you only watch one movie on this whole list, make it Kiki’s Delivery Service. From Hayao Miyazaki, this all-ages-friendly animation tells the story of a young witch on her obligatory year spent living independently, her struggles finding her community, and running a broom-based delivery company.
Where to watch: Max
