Gather round the cauldron, magic ladies good and bad! Although the vampire vs. werewolf debate is still ongoing, there’s no denying that it’s witches > every other magical creature. And while there have been some t-r-u-l-y iconic witches in TV history (Sabrina Spellman! Bonnie Bennett! Samantha Stephens!), we’re here to celebrate wicked witches in cinema with the 45 best witch movies of all damn time. From woodsy aesthetic witch tales to campy cult classics and genuinely freaky flicks, we’ve got all the titles you need for the ultimate witch movie marathon—and no, you definitely don’t have to relegate watching these only to October (aka spooky szn). Witch movies were meant to be enjoyed all year long.
While I’ll allow the occasional boy witch, we all know that genre is mostly for the grrrls. If you’re looking to kick off Halloween a lil early (or you’re simply in the mood for some toil and trouble), then check out all the 45 best witch movies you can stream right now, presented in no particular order.
1. Practical Magic (1998)
Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock star as two sister witches who were raised by their aunts, who are also witches. But their family is cursed: The men they fall in love with are doomed to an untimely death. What’s not to love??
2. The Witch (2015)
In The Witch, a young woman witnesses the disappearance of her youngest brother in 1630 New England and is consequently accused of witchcraft. Anya Taylor-Joy plays Thomasin with such conviction that you actually believe she’s trapped in a 17th-century waking nightmare.
3. Suspiria (2018)
This supernatural horror film revolves around an American ballerina (played by Dakota Johnson) who transfers to a prestigious dance academy in Germany, only to realize her new school has a dark history of occultism and is responsible for a series of brutal murders. Fun!!
4. Nightbooks (2021)
Starring Krysten Ritter and based on the book of the same name by J. A. White, this fun thriller revolves around two young horror fans who find themselves trapped in the apartment of a wicked witch.
5. Halloweentown (1998)
Preteens Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) and Dylan (Joey Zimmerman) and their little sister Sophie (Emily Roeske) follow their grandmother Aggie (Debbie Reynolds), who is secretly a witch (!!!!), to the magical Halloweentown, where citizens are mysteriously disappearing. And obviously you gotta follow this one up with the whole damn series.
6. The Love Witch (2016)
This retro horror movie tells the story of a beautiful witch who uses potions and spells to attract male suitors…only to end up with needy victims who can’t get enough of her. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, she gets so caught up in love that it almost leads to a deadly murder.
7. The Craft (1996)
In this ’90s cult classic, Robin Tunney plays a high school transfer student whose telekinetic abilities appeal to three wannabe witches, who happen to be seeking a fourth member for their satanic rituals. When the four teens realize that their powers may have very real consequences, it would be an understatement to say the power goes to their heads a lil bit.
8. Spellbinder (1988)
In this ’80s indie thriller, Kelly Preston plays Miranda, a pretty woman gallantly rescued by a charming young man (Tim Daly) and welcomed into his home, where the two quickly become lovers. However, their honeymoon period is cut short when a mysterious lady appears, claiming that Miranda is on the run from her coven of Satan-worshiping witches…and they want her back.
9. The Covenant (2006)
Based in the town of Ipswich, Massachusetts, this movie revolves around four high school guys who are descendants of colonial witch families and given magical abilities on their 13th birthdays. Those powers continue to grow until they reach peak at 18, but there’s a catch: Their power also is linked to their life force, and so the more they use, the faster they age.
10. Beautiful Creatures (2013)
This gothic romance follows a teen as he falls for the new girl in school, who also happens to be the niece of the town patriarch. Though Ethan notices that destruction seems to surround Lena, what he doesn’t yet know is that she has supernatural powers beyond her control…and a looming curse over her 16th birthday, when the forces of either light or dark will claim her.
11. Double, Double, Toil and Trouble (1993)
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen star as two little girls who have to save their Great-Aunt Sophia from a witch’s curse. It’s a cinematic classic, and if you disagree, then you can’t sit with us.
12. The Witches (2020)
Based on the Roald Dahl novel, this remake features Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch, who created a potion that turns children into mice and summons her fellow cronies to Alabama to spread the word—much to the dismay of the young orphan boy who has arrived in town to live with his grandmother right at the same time.
13. A Simple Wish (1997)
Mara Wilson (you know, Matilda) plays a little girl named Annabel, who is granted one wish by a fairy godmother (Martin Short). She wishes that her father would win the lead role in a Broadway musical—but evil witch Claudia (Kathleen Turner) is about to wreak havoc.
14. The Wretched (2020)
In The Wretched, a defiant teen struggling with his parents’ ongoing divorce finds the perfect distraction when he discovers that a thousand-year-old witch has possessed his next-door neighbor—and it’s a lot better than it sounds, trust.
15. Gretel & Hansel (2020)
Sophia Lillis stars in this dark retelling of the classic Grimm Brothers fairytale, which follows two siblings as they go off into the woods in search of food and work after their mother goes mad and ends up at the home of a seemingly-friendly old lady. Spoiler alert: That little ol’ lady is actually a witch.
16. Into the Woods (2014)
Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, this big-budget movie has it all: a totally stacked cast, a ton of fairytale references, a killer soundtrack, and Meryl Streep playing a terrifying witch. Basically, it’s pure gold.
17. Dark Shadows (2012)
In this Tim Burton-directed flick, a rich and powerful playboy living in 18th-century Maine (Johnny Depp) is turned into a vampire by a witch (Eva Green) after he breaks her heart. When he escapes his tomb two centuries later, he finds a *very* different world from the one he once knew.
18. Twitches (2005)
Hi, remember this Disney classic? Tia and Tamera Mowry play teenage witches separated at birth who meet by chance on their 21st birthday. It’s basically Sister, Sister, but with magic (and there’s a sequel, too).
19. Teen Witch (1989)
Starring Robyn Lively (aka Blake Lively’s older half-sister), Teen Witch follows a high school nerd who—after gaining magical abilities on her 16th birthday—uses those powers to get the thing she’s always wanted: popularity. But naturally, there are consequences to her actions.
20. Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Jurnee Smollett stars in this drama as the titular Eve, a girl growing up in 1960s Louisiana whose life changes forever after she accidentally catches her dad cheating with another woman. This causes her to retreat to the home of her quirky psychic aunt (who may or may not have some connections to the world of witchcraft). We’ll warn ya: This one gets real dark.
21. The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
In this classic dark comedy, three single women (Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Susan Sarandon) living in Eastwick, Rhode Island bond over the fact that they’ve all lost their husbands. But it isn’t until a mysterious new man arrives in town (Jack Nicholson) that the women realize they have more in common than just their unfortunate pasts.
22. Hocus Pocus (1993)
OFC, no witchy movie list would be complete without Hocus Pocus, which follows three witches called the Sanderson sisters (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy), who wreak havoc in Salem after they’re accidentally resurrected by a teenage boy.
23. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
I know you probably don’t think of the Marvel Cinematic Universe when you’re in a witchy mood. Those movies are about superheroes, not witches! But you can’t deny that Elizabeth Olsen’s turn as the Scarlet Witch in Sam Raimi’s sequel is spooky, magical, and the perfect foil to Doctor Strange’s serious sorcerer.
24. Stardust (2007)
This fantasy romantic comedy about a boy named Tristane (Charlie Cox) and a fallen star (Claire Danes) is the perfect comfort movie. It’s funny, adventurous, and has a fabulous group of villainous witches lead by the iconic Michelle Pfeiffer
25. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Whether you’re more of a Glinda girlie or go hard for the Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard of Oz is both a classic film and a classic tale of witches. You can’t acknowledge that some witches can be good and some can be bad without this movie. If you’ve already seen it a bazillion times, check out The Wiz!
26. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Hayao Miyazaki’s film is about a young witch, Kiki, who uses her flying broomstick and magical powers to deliver baked goods. (Yes, she basically invented Uber Eats.) It is the perfect gentle movie for a rainy afternoon or early morning and the perfect witch lore for the seaside or cottegecore crowd.
27. Beastly (2011)
This modern take on Beauty and the Beast isn’t exactly “good” IMHO, but it’s so fun to watch. Mary-Kate Olsen plays the witch who curses a f*ckboi with, uhhhh, an interesting makeover that only Vanessa Hudgens could love. As far as Olsen family (or should we say …Olsen coven?) witch movies are concerned, it’s considerably darker than Double, Double, Toil and Trouble but not nearly as scary as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
28. The Crucible (1996)
Technically, the point of The Crucible and the Salem Witch Trials in general is that there wasn’t actually any witch business going on. But it’s based on a true story, and the way we’ve used witchcraft to crucify women throughout history is still relevant! Arthur Miller’s play is required reading, and this adaptation directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring both Winona Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis is a must-see as well.
29. The Little Mermaid (1989)
Shout out to the number one sea-witch, Ursula! So many Disney musicals have women who use their magic for good and evil. But Ursula is not a dark fairy or an evil queen in disguise. She’s a full-time witch who makes a deal with Ariel with very clear terms and conditions… right?
30. Bewitched (2005)
The movie based on the classic sitcom has some weird meta twists that didn’t land with all audiences. But you can’t skip it! It used to be a sleepover classic! It’s a Nora Ephron film, for cripes’ sake! Bewitched is peak Will Ferrell and Nicole Kidman and peak cozy witch vibes.
31. Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
That’s right, witches (srry, I couldn’t help myself lol)! The sequel to the timeless 1993 film has *finally* blessed our Disney+ accounts and was truly worth the wait, IMO. I mean, with the original Sanderson sisters making a modern-day comeback alongside a slew of new faces, including Gossip Girl remake lead Whitney Peak, what’s not to love?
32. Bell, Book and Candle (1958)
In this Kim Novak–Jimmy Stewart rom-com, a Manhattanite witch puts a love spell on her neighbor so he won’t marry her college nemesis. However, the plan seriously backfires when the protagonist actually winds up falling for the guy, which is a major no-no since witches who fall in love lose their powers. Okay, not not intrigued. How am I already this invested?!
33. Maleficent (2014)
It’s Sleeping Beauty with a sinister twist in this live-action remake with Angelina Jolie. After she suffers a ruthless betrayal, Angelina’s character sets her sights on revenge and places a curse upon the newborn infant of the invading king’s successor, AKA Aurora.
34. Oz: The Great and Powerful (2013)
We heard you liked The Wizard of Oz. Maybe you even prefer The Wiz. Maybe you can’t wait for the Wicked movie. What if I told you that this movie has three witches in it?
35. I Married A Witch (1942)
If you love romantic comedies and haven’t delved into the world of screwball comedies, this witchy movie is a great place to start! It also ties in some Salem Witch Trial lore, so it’ll tickle your history brain as well.
36. Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1996)
I’m sorry. RYAN REYNOLDS IS IN THIS????
37. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
This classic Disney musical is about three children who go to live with a witch during the Blitz. It’s more whimsical but surprisingly similar to the next movie.
38. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (2005)
I actually think the worst thing a witch could do is make it winter but never Christmas. Unless, of course, you don’t celebrate Christmas. Then you’re probably just cold all the time. That’s bad too!
39. The Worst Witch (1986)
Mildred Hubble isn’t “the worst” witch because she’s evil. She’s just very bad at magic and kind of in a perpetual flop era. This movie is not streaming, but if you can’t find it at your local library or video store you can stream the ’90s television adaptation or the more recent Netflix adaptation.
40. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
You’re probably familiar with the character, or at least the name. She’s like the patron saint of goth girls. Why not check out the movie, about a family of witches and warlocks that shake up a town?
41. Escape To Witch Mountain (1975)
Now why do I always think this is a ’00s DCOM, not a family movie about aliens from the ’70s? My bad.
42. The Last Witch Hunter (2015)
This is a hardcore fantasy movie about Witch Queens and knights. Not interested? What if I told you it stars Vin Diesel?
43. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Kiki isn’t the only witch in Miyazaki’s filmography. In this film, a young girl gets trapped in the body of an old woman thanks to a witch’s curse. She goes on an adventure to get her life back and save the world.
44. Wildwitch (2018)
For the cottage core witch fans, check out this fantasy movie about an animal loving girl who learns witchcraft from her mysterious aunt.
45. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
I try not to be too much of a Potterhead these days, but the witch energy in the fifth book and movie is pretty high. It’s when Hermione, Ginny, and Luna maximalize their joint slay, as you might say.
Editor
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
Samantha is a freelance writer and native New Yorker who loves talking about celebrity relationships, celebrity kids, and celebrity conspiracy theories. When she’s not writing or scrolling through Instagram, she can be found in front of the TV with her pals Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
Leah Marilla Thomas is an entertainment writer, UNC alum, and former Hasbro Toy Tester (yes, that’s a real thing) who loves The Good Place and Love Island equally. In her alleged spare time, she’s probably either at the theater, in a park, or watching basketball.