Best Films About Witchcraft: A Witchy Watchlist

Witches have long been a subject in film, portraying everything from powerful sorceresses to misunderstood outsiders. Whether you're drawn to historical depictions, magical realism, or modern pop culture witches, this curated list offers something for every witchy movie lover. Explore classic and contemporary films that dive into the many facets of witchcraft, along with an analysis of how witches are portrayed in cinema.

Categories of Witchcraft Films

To help you navigate the wide world of witchy films, we've broken down the list into categories based on themes, time periods, and representations of witchcraft. Whether you prefer dark historical narratives, enchanting magical realism, or fun pop culture depictions, there's a film here for you.

1. Historical Witchcraft

Films that delve into the history of witches often explore the darker side of witchcraft, focusing on persecution, fear, and misunderstood magic. These films offer a glimpse into how witches were viewed during the witch trials and beyond.

• The Witch (2015)
• Plot: A Puritan family in 1630s New England encounters forces of darkness that threaten their faith and sanity. The film draws heavily on historical accounts of witchcraft and Puritan superstition.
• Why Watch: This atmospheric horror film is a deep dive into early witchcraft fears, exploring religious fanaticism, isolation, and the power of witchcraft as both a liberating and damning force.
• The Crucible (1996)
• Plot: Based on Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible depicts the Salem witch trials and the mass hysteria that unfolded as accusations of witchcraft spread through a small Puritan village.
• Why Watch: This film is an intense portrayal of historical witch hunts and the dangers of fear and mass hysteria. It’s a must-watch for those interested in the dark history of witch trials.

2. Magical Realism

Films that blur the line between reality and magic often feature witches whose powers exist just below the surface of the everyday world. These films present witchcraft as a natural part of life, blending the mystical with the mundane.

• Practical Magic (1998)
• Plot: Two witch sisters, raised by their aunts in a small town, struggle with love and the family curse that dooms any man they fall in love with.
• Why Watch: Practical Magic is a charming and whimsical tale of sisterhood, love, and magic. With its mix of light-hearted romance and darker elements of witchcraft, it’s a beloved film in the magical realism genre.
• The Love Witch (2016)
• Plot: A modern-day witch uses magic and potions to make men fall in love with her, but her attempts at finding true love lead to deadly consequences.
• Why Watch: This film is a visual homage to 1960s Technicolor and presents a unique feminist take on witchcraft, exploring themes of power, love, and obsession.

3. Pop Culture Witches

Some of the most iconic witches in cinema come from the realm of pop culture, where they range from mischievous spellcasters to powerful protectors. These films focus more on entertainment and fun, but still showcase powerful witchcraft themes.

• Hocus Pocus (1993)
• Plot: Three witches are resurrected on Halloween night in modern-day Salem, and it’s up to a group of kids to stop them from achieving immortality.
• Why Watch: A cult classic, Hocus Pocus is a fun and light-hearted Halloween favourite. The Sanderson sisters have become iconic witches in pop culture, and the film balances humour, magic, and a little bit of spooky charm.
• The Craft (1996)
• Plot: A group of high school girls form a coven and begin experimenting with witchcraft, only to find that power comes with consequences.
• Why Watch: This film is a 90s staple, blending teenage angst with the allure of witchcraft. The Craft remains a defining film in the pop culture witch genre, exploring the themes of power, friendship, and the dark side of magic.

4. Dark and Occult Witchcraft

For those drawn to the more sinister side of witchcraft, these films explore witches as dark, mysterious forces who wield their magic for personal gain or vengeance. Often delving into the occult, these films aren’t afraid to show the darker elements of the craft.

• Suspiria (1977/2018)
• Plot: A young dancer joins a prestigious ballet school, only to discover that it’s run by a coven of witches. As strange events unfold, she realises that dark magic lurks behind every corner.
• Why Watch: Both the original 1977 version and the 2018 remake are intense, eerie explorations of witchcraft and the occult. The use of witchcraft in Suspiria is tied to ancient, malevolent forces, creating a nightmarish, unsettling atmosphere.
• The Witches (1990/2020)
• Plot: A young boy stumbles upon a coven of witches who plot to turn all children into mice. With the help of his grandmother, he fights to stop their wicked plan.
• Why Watch: This dark fantasy film, adapted from Roald Dahl’s novel, portrays witches as terrifying villains. The 1990 version, starring Anjelica Huston, is beloved for its campy yet creepy portrayal of witches, while the 2020 remake offers a modern twist on the classic.

5. Witchcraft as Feminine Power

Witchcraft has often been a metaphor for women’s empowerment, independence, and resistance against patriarchal norms. These films highlight witches as symbols of female strength and autonomy, reclaiming the craft as a tool for personal liberation.

• The Witch of Eastwick (1987)
• Plot: Three women in a small town discover their magical powers after a mysterious stranger arrives and stirs up their lives.
• Why Watch: This film explores themes of female empowerment and the consequences of unchecked desire. The witches in this film represent women claiming their own power, both magical and personal.
• The Skeleton Key (2005)
• Plot: A hospice nurse working in a spooky New Orleans plantation house uncovers a dark secret involving hoodoo magic and the souls of the home's previous occupants.
• Why Watch: This psychological thriller blends witchcraft with hoodoo and explores the power of belief, fear, and ritual. It’s a gripping look at how witchcraft is tied to deeper cultural and spiritual traditions.

Analysis of Witchcraft Representation in Cinema

Throughout film history, the representation of witches has evolved, reflecting changing cultural attitudes toward women, power, and the supernatural. Early portrayals of witches were often linked to fear, evil, and the occult, with witches serving as villains or symbols of societal chaos. As views on witchcraft shifted, especially during the feminist movements of the 20th century, witches began to be seen as symbols of empowerment, rebellion, and personal freedom.

In modern cinema, witchcraft is often portrayed with nuance, showing witches as complex characters rather than one-dimensional villains. Films like The Craft and The Love Witch explore how power, desire, and control play into the practice of witchcraft, while movies like The Witch and Suspiria delve into the darker, more mysterious aspects of magic and ritual.

Final Thoughts on Witchcraft in Film

From historical depictions of witch trials to modern, empowering portrayals of magic, witches in cinema offer a wide range of stories that reflect the complexities of power, fear, and liberation. Whether you're in the mood for something dark and occult or light and whimsical, these films about witchcraft offer a chance to immerse yourself in the magical world of witches and their many representations on screen.