Witchcraft-inspired dramas have gained significant popularity in recent years, captivating audiences with their intriguing storylines and mystical elements. These dramas often delve into the supernatural world, exploring the lives of witches and their extraordinary abilities. In these dramas, witchcraft is depicted as a powerful force that can be both good and evil, depending on how it is used. The main characters are usually witches who possess different magical powers, such as the ability to control the elements, communicate with spirits, or cast spells. One common theme in witchcraft-inspired dramas is the struggle between light and dark magic. The protagonists often find themselves torn between using their powers for the greater good or succumbing to the temptations of dark magic.
As we prepare for the oncoming darkness of winter, the transitional season of autumn reminds us of all things witchy — from the black cats and broomstick-style of traditional witches, to the darker elements of witchcraft, Scorpio-blessed Halloween will always be the season of the witch.
The not-quite-a-reboot Netflix series Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina is based on the same 1960s Archie comic book series that Sabrina The Teenage Witch got its source material from. In this classic anime coming-of-age film, 13-year-old Kiki moves to a seaside town with her talking cat Jiji to spend a year alone in witch training.
The protagonists often find themselves torn between using their powers for the greater good or succumbing to the temptations of dark magic. This conflict creates suspense and adds depth to the characters, as they navigate the complexities of their magical abilities. Another captivating aspect of these dramas is the concept of covens.
35 Magical Witch Movies You Need to Stream this Halloween, from ‘Practical Magic’ to ‘Hocus Pocus’
No Halloween feels complete without several viewings of spooky, witch-centric movies. And no, we’re not just talking about the villainous crones who tote black gowns and ride on broomsticks. We’re also talking feminist heroes and powerful sorcereresses who look very much like your average person.
It’s always fascinating to see how these characters fare when they dabble in the dark arts, which is why we’ve compiled a list of all the scary witch movies you can stream right now, from Hocus Pocus to The Witches of Eastwick.
RELATED- Who’s in it? Samuel L. Jackson, Lisa Nicole Carson, Jurnee Smollett, Lynn Whitfield
- Rating: R
When 10-year-old Eve catches her father cheating on her mother, she seeks revenge and decides to put a voodoo spell on him, with the help of a fortune teller and witch. This emotional drama tackles familial conflict and forgiveness, while offering some rare insight into Creole traditions.
- Who’s in it? Samantha Robinson, Gian Keys, Laura Waddell, Jeffrey Vincent Parise
- Rating: R
An attractive witch named Elaine (Robinson) uses magic to seduce several men in hopes of finding true love—but when she finally meets her dream guy, things start to go downhill.
- Who’s in it? Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz
- Rating: PG
Given that Disney will be releasing Hocus Pocus 2 in the near future, it's only fitting that we revisit the Sanderson sisters as they try to wreak havoc in the modern-day world.
- Who’s in it? Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, Aidan Quinn
- Rating: PG-13
Bullock and Kidman play tight-knit sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, who grew up learning to hone their abilities as witches. But there's just one problem: They're under a dark curse that affects every man they fall in love with.
- Who’s in it? Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon, Jack Nicholson
- Rating: R
Three gorgeous witches who are eager to find the right man are enchanted by the mysterious Daryl Van Horne—although there’s much more to him than meets the eye. While the trio of witches are delightful to watch, it's Nicholson's comedic talent that steals the show.
- Who’s in it? Fredric March, Veronica Lake, Robert Benchley, Susan Hayward
- Rating: NR
When Jennifer gets burned at the stake in colonial Salem, the enchantress curses the man responsible, as well as all of his male descendants. But several centuries later, when she meets and falls for one of his descendants, her vengeful plan starts to backfire.
- Who’s in it? Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth
- Rating: R
In this remake of the cult classic, Johnson stars as a newbie dance student who quickly learns that her prestigious academy is harboring a dark secret—one that involves a powerful coven of witches. Prepare for some freaky, mind-bending stuff.
- Who’s in it? Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, John Ericson
- Rating: R
Inspired by two of Mary Norton's children's books and set during the ‘40s, this musical follows three children who agree to help a witch in training. Her goal? To use her magical powers in the British war efforts against the Nazis.
- Who’s in it? William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley
- Rating: PG
A simple game of hide and seek between a group of kids turns into a magical adventure when they stumble upon a hidden, parallel world called Narnia. But when they learn that this once peaceful world has been taken over by an evil witch, they embark on a mission to defeat her.
- Who’s in it? Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True
- Rating: R
What do you get when you combine a trio of witches and an angsty teen with telekinetic powers? A powerful coven and a whole lot of trouble, that’s what.
- Who’s in it? Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine
- Rating: PG
The star-studded musical takes its inspiration from classic fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, weaving together a clever, modernized tale that explores what happens after the “happily ever after.” It tackles quite a few big themes, like love, loss and consequences.
- Who’s in it? Tamera Mowry, Tia Mowry, Kristen Wilson, Patrick Fabian
- Rating: TV-PG
On their 21st birthday, identical twins Alexandra Fielding and Camryn Barne learn that they're witches with magical powers—powers they must use to defeat an evil force known as the Darkness.
- Who’s in it? Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Rowan Atkinson, Jasen Fisher
- Rating: PG
A young boy is in for quite the surprise when he crosses paths with a group of evil witches. Can he stop their evil plans before they go after all the children?
- Who’s in it? Robyn Lively, Dan Gauthier, Joshua Miller
- Rating: PG-13
Just days before her 16th birthday, Louise Miller finds out that she's a reincarnated witch who will develop magical powers. Naturally, when she hits 16, she uses her newfound powers to win the heart of a star athlete and become popular.
- Who’s in it? Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie
- Rating: R
After being banished from a Puritan colony in New England during the 1630s, a family moves to a remote location in the woods, where they start to get terrorized by evil forces.
- Who’s in it? Hana Sugisaki, Yūki Amami, Fumiyo Kohinata
- Rating: PG
A young girl named Mary Smith stumbles upon a unique flower, which gives her the ability to become a witch for just a day. A wild adventure ensues.
- Who’s in it? Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, Peter Stormare
- Rating: R
Hansel and Gretel are all grown up and ready to track down some evil witches. But as the Blood Moon draws near, the siblings realize that they're up against an even greater threat.
- Who’s in it? Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley
- Rating: R
Seeing Dorothy skip down the yellow-brick road with her new BFFs never gets old. But if we're being honest, it's Wicked Witch of the West and her evil schemes that make this film so intriguing.
- Who’s in it? Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag
- Rating: TV-PG
When Marnie turns 13, she discovers that she’s a witch, just like her grandmother Aggie. She then gets the best birthday present ever: an impromptu tour of the magical world of Halloweentown, complete with witches, warlocks and zombies.
- Who’s in it? Cailee Spaeny Gideon Adlon Lovie Simone
- Rating: PG-13
The Craft: Legacy may have a similar storyline to the original film, but don't expect a carbon copy. This follow-up stands on its own, following a coven of four teenage witches whose lives are turned upside down as they explore their newfound powers. This time around, there's a trans member, and the movie addresses themes like friendship and toxic masculinity.
Who’s in it? Sara Klimoska, Anamaria Marinca, Alice Englert, Félix Maritaud
Rating: 18+
Set in 19th-century Macedonia, a little girl gets kidnapped by an ancient spirit who turns her into a shape-shifting witch. Left on her own with this newfound ability, the witch embarks on a solitary journey to find out what it truly means to be human.
- Who’s in it? Zelda Adams, Toby Poser, Lulu Adams
- Rating: NR
A mother-daughter metal band live peacefully in their isolated home in the woods. But their relationship shifts when Izzy encounters another teenager and discovers her mother's connection to witchcraft. Not to mention her own curiosity about dark magic.
Who’s in it? Gideon Adlon, Abigail Cowen, Christian Camargo
Rating: R
If you're into The Handmaid's Tale, then you'll want to add this one to your queue. Set in a world where witchcraft is illegal, a young teen is determined to help two young witches avoid law enforcement and seek asylum in Mexico.
- Who’s in it? Angelina JolieSharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton
- Rating: PG-13
Jolie embodies the legendary villain from Sleeping Beauty, except in this case, the classic tale is retold from her perspective. Prepare to be bewitched.
- Who’s in it? Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller
- Rating: PG-13
How far would you go for love? Buy a dozen roses? Or perhaps retrieve a fallen star? In this film, Tristan opts for the latter in order to woo his crush. But he soon realizes that this "star" is a beautiful woman named Yvaine, and when an evil witch tries to steal her youth, he must do what it takes to protect her.
- Who’s in it? Vin Diesel, Elijah Wood, Rose Leslie, Julie Engelbrecht
- Rating: PG-13
The film revolves around Kaulder, an immortal witch hunter who's tasked with preventing a dangerous plague before it destroys the world. We don't know about you, but we can't say no to Diesel slaying evil witches left and right.
- Who’s in it? Kim Da-mi, Jo Min-soo, Park Hwi-Sun
- Rating: TV-MA
A decade has passed since Ja-yoon escaped from a government facility, but she has no memory of what happened. As she tries to investigate what happened to her, she slowly uncovers the truth about her abilities and her dark past.
- Who’s in it? Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell
- Rating: G
In this remake of the iconic film, Ross plays Dorothy, who gets swept away to the land of Oz and embarks on a quest to find the mysterious wizard, who can get her back home. But it proves to be a challenge when the Wicked Witch of the West and her Flying Monkeys try to foil her plans.
- Who’s in it? Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson
- Rating: NR
This coming-of-age tale follows a girl named Kya, who grew up alone in the marshes of North Carolina. But when her former flame and popular quarterback, Chase Andrews, is found dead at the bottom of a fire tower, she becomes the prime suspect. (FYI, Kya isn't technically a witch, but she definitely has a spiritual side when she's alone with nature.)
- Who’s in it? Tamera Mowry, Tia Mowry, Patrick Fabian, Kristen Wilson
- Rating: TV-PG
In this fun sequel to Twitches, Alex and Camryn are finally getting the hang of their newfound powers. But now, they must join forces to see if their missing father is still alive and trapped in the Shadowlands.
- Who’s in it? Benjamin Christensen, Astrid Holm, Karen Winther
- Rating: PG-13
Director Benjamin Christensen wowed viewers with this terrifying, yet insightful deep-dive into witchcraft and common superstitions throughout the Middle Ages. But perhaps the most fascinating part is his theory that these witches suffered hysteria.
- Who’s in it? Daniel Lewis; Winona Ryder, Joan Allen, Paul Scofield
- Rating: PG-13
Chaos ensues in 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, when a group of teenage girls are caught conjuring love spells in the woods. Inspired by Arthur Miller's famous play, you can expect some nuanced characters and an intimate look into The Salem Witch Trials.
- Who’s in it? Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
- Rating: R
A stage actor and his wife, Rosemary, move into a gothic, old-fashioned Manhattan apartment—despite warnings of place's dark history with witchcraft. But when Rosemary gets pregnant, she suspects that her neighbors have sinister plans for her unborn child.
- Who’s in it? Jan White, Raymond Laine, Ann Muffly, Virginia Greenwald
- Rating: 18+
When Joan, a middle-aged housewife, meets her new neighbor Marion, she discovers the newcomer is the leader of a secret witches' coven. But when Joan decides to get involved in the occult, her life takes a drastic turn.
Hansel and Gretel are all grown up and ready to track down some evil witches. But as the Blood Moon draws near, the siblings realize that they're up against an even greater threat.
Covens are groups of witches who come together to practice magic and support one another. These covens often serve as a source of strength and unity for the main characters, as they face various challenges and threats. The dynamics within the covens are explored, shedding light on the bonds formed between the witches and the loyalty they share. Witchcraft-inspired dramas also frequently incorporate elements of romance and forbidden love. The main characters often find themselves drawn to individuals from the non-magical world, creating a sense of forbidden attraction. This adds another layer of complexity to the storyline, as the characters must navigate their romantic relationships while also hiding their true identities as witches. Overall, witchcraft-inspired dramas offer a captivating blend of supernatural elements, complex characters, and intriguing storylines. They provide an escape into a world of magic and mystery, allowing audiences to explore the possibilities of the supernatural realm. Whether it is the struggle between good and evil, the bonds formed within covens, or the complexities of love, these dramas continue to captivate viewers with their enchanting tales of witchcraft..
Reviews for "From witch hunts to coven power struggles: the evolution of witchcraft narratives"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I watched a witchcraft inspired drama recently called "Spellbound" and I have to say, it really didn't live up to the hype. The storyline was predictable, with all the usual cliches of witches and spells. The acting was also very mediocre, with the characters lacking depth and emotion. Overall, I was left disappointed and unimpressed with this genre of dramas.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Enchanted Secrets" is supposed to be a popular witchcraft inspired drama, but I found it incredibly boring and unoriginal. The plot was slow-paced, and the characters were one-dimensional. The magical elements felt forced and unrealistic. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this show if you're not a fan of witchcraft dramas.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Wicked Desires," a witchcraft inspired drama, but it turned out to be a complete letdown. The storyline was convoluted and hard to follow, with random magical elements thrown in without much explanation. The acting was subpar, and the characters were extremely stereotypical. Overall, I found the whole experience quite underwhelming.
4. David - 1/5 stars - I really don't understand the appeal of witchcraft inspired dramas like "Coven Chronicles." The whole concept feels overdone and repetitive. The plot was predictable, the characters were shallow, and the special effects were laughable. I found myself losing interest after just a few episodes and couldn't bring myself to finish it. Definitely not my cup of tea.
5. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I recently watched "The Witching Hour," a witchcraft inspired drama, and I have to say, it was nothing special. The story was predictable and lacked depth, and the characters were dull and uninteresting. The spells and magical elements felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I was left feeling unimpressed and wouldn't recommend this drama to anyone looking for a captivating storyline.