As the chill creeps in and winds howl through the trees, spooky season calls us to embrace all things magical and mysterious. But let’s face it—witches aren't just for Halloween. Whether you’re curious about the craft or simply love a good story, witchy media offers a captivating mix of magic and myth to enjoy year-round.
In movies and TV, witches are often portrayed as supernatural or even sinister beings exaggerated for dramatic effect. While these depictions can be a lot of fun, it makes accurate ideas of witchcraft in media a rarer find.
In reality, witchcraft practices are far more personal and grounded than they are portrayed, often with deep roots in nature, creativity, and connection. Of course, there are many different approaches to practicing magic and a wide range of magical traditions throughout the world. Some practitioners or workings may dive into darker territory, but dark magic doesn’t necessarily imply evil—this can simply involve working with shadow, boundaries, and deeper aspects of the self. More often than not, witchcraft is about empowerment, growth, and a deep respect for the earth and its mysteries.
With that in mind, we’re excited to present a delightful mix of witchy media to enchant you, no matter the season. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just in it for the thrills, these films and shows are sure to cast a spell on you!
Practical Magic (1998)
Synopsis: In this enchanting yet chilling film, two sisters, Sally and Gillian Owens, navigate life under the shadow of a family curse that dooms the men they love. As they embrace their inherited magical powers, they must face both external forces and their own fears in order to break the cycle.
Representation of Witches: Witches in Practical Magic are presented as women who are deeply connected to their family’s legacy and the rhythms of magic. The film emphasizes witchcraft as both a blessing and a burden, focusing on the emotional and personal struggles of living with magical abilities. While overdramatized at times, many witches adore this film for its relatively accurate portrayal of magic.
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1h 44m
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
The Craft (1996)
Synopsis: Four high school outcasts form a coven and start experimenting with witchcraft, finding supernatural power in their spells. As they delve deeper into magic, the consequences of their actions turn dark, and the coven begins to unravel.
Representation of Witches: The Craft is one of the most well-known films to depict magic influenced by Wicca. It touches on Wiccan themes like reverence for nature, invoking the elements, and spellcasting, with rituals like "calling the corners" reflecting authentic practices. However, it blends these concepts with Hollywood-style drama, portraying witches as rebellious and power-hungry, exploring both the empowering and destructive sides of magic while emphasizing the balance between personal responsibility and supernatural forces.
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 41m
Starring: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Synopsis: Kiki, a young witch in training, leaves home to live in a new town for a year, where she starts a delivery service using her ability to fly. Along the way, with her black cat Jiji by her side, she faces challenges that help her grow in confidence and independence.
Representation of Witches: Witchcraft in this film is gentle, heartwarming, and interwoven with everyday life. Kiki’s abilities are a part of her identity, but her struggles are more about finding herself and her place in the world, showing witches as relatable and human.
Rating: G
Runtime: 1h 43m
Starring: Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, Kappei Yamaguchi (Japanese), Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman (English)
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
Synopsis: An instant classic, this beloved miniseries tells the story of two brothers, Greg and Wirt, who find themselves lost in a mysterious and fantastical forest called the Unknown. As they search for a way home, they encounter strange creatures, eerie characters, and a lurking danger.
Representation of Witches: Witches in Over the Garden Wall are rather ambiguous characters, sometimes helpful and sometimes dangerous, reflecting the overall eerie, folktale-like atmosphere. Magic in this world is deeply tied to nature and the unknown, giving witches a mythical and haunting presence.
Rating: TV-PG
Runtime: 10 episodes, 11m each
Starring: Elijah Wood, Collin Dean, Melanie Lynskey
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Halloweentown (1998)
Synopsis: On Halloween night, Marnie Piper discovers she comes from a long line of witches and is whisked away to Halloweentown, a magical place where it's Halloween every day. Together with her grandmother and her siblings, she must save the town from a mysterious dark force.
Representation of Witches: Witches in Halloweentown are playful and colorful, with a focus on familial bonds and self-discovery. The film portrays witchcraft as fun, lighthearted, and rooted in heritage, emphasizing the power of magic as a force for good—or evil.
Rating: TV-G
Runtime: 1h 24m
Starring: Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Matilda (1996)
Synopsis: Matilda, a brilliant young girl with neglectful parents, discovers she has telekinetic powers. With the help of her kind teacher, Miss Honey, she uses her abilities to stand up to her cruel headmistress and create a better life for herself.
Representation of Witches: While Matilda isn’t explicitly labeled as a witch, her telekinetic powers parallel the witch’s stereotyped abilities. Her magic is a symbol of her inner strength and intelligence, making witchcraft a metaphor for personal empowerment and justice.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1h 42m
Starring: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Synopsis: After accidentally being resurrected on Halloween, three witch sisters from the 17th century cause havoc in modern-day Salem. A group of kids must find a way to stop them before the witches drain the life force of all the children in town.
Representation of Witches: Witches in Hocus Pocus are portrayed as comical villains, blending sinister intentions with slapstick humor. The film plays on the classic trope of evil enchantresses but with a campy, over-the-top twist. It distorts the reality of the Salem witch trials, where innocent people were falsely accused due to mass hysteria and fear, rather than real witches practicing dark magic. By portraying the Sanderson sisters as supernatural beings feeding on children, the film reinforces exaggerated stereotypes that fueled historical fears, turning a grave miscarriage of justice into a fantastical, comedic narrative.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1h 36m
Starring: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003)
Synopsis: In the original series, Sabrina Spellman is an ordinary high school student until she discovers she’s a witch on her 16th birthday. With the help of her two aunts and her familiar, a talking cat named Salem, Sabrina must balance her newfound magical abilities with the challenges of teenage life, all while keeping her powers a secret from her friends and high school crush.
Representation of Witches: In Sabrina the Teenage Witch, witches are portrayed as lighthearted and relatable, with magic used for humorous, everyday situations. The show leans into fun, whimsical witchcraft, casting witches as approachable and human rather than supernatural threats, offering a comedic and positive spin on magic in contrast to darker depictions elsewhere.
Rating: TV-PG
Runtime: 7 seasons, 22 minutes per episode
Starring: Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nick Bakay (voice of Salem)
Sea Witch Rating: ★★
For content warnings, click here.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020)
Synopsis: In the recent remake of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Sabrina Spellman is a half-witch, half-mortal teenager navigating the dualities of her existence as she struggles to reconcile her magical heritage with her desire for a normal life. The series explores darker themes of witchcraft and its relationship with the occult.
Representation of Witches: Witches in this show are dark, mysterious, and tied to Satanic imagery, drawing heavily from occult traditions. Sabrina’s world is filled with power struggles and moral dilemmas, showcasing witches as complex and often morally ambiguous figures.
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: 36 episodes, 50m each
Starring: Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★
For content warnings, click here.
The Addams Family (1991)
Synopsis: Based on the classic 60’s TV show, the quirky, macabre Addams family faces a con artist who is attempting to steal their fortune by posing as their long-lost relative. Chaos and dark humor ensue as the family’s eccentricity and love for the bizarre shine through.
Representation of Witches: Though not explicitly labeled as witches, the Addams family embraces the themes of witchcraft and the occult. Morticia Addams, in particular, embodies many witchy characteristics, with her dark elegance, mysterious powers, and connection to the strange and supernatural.
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1h 39m
Starring: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Wednesday (2022–)
Synopsis: In this new re-interpretation of the Addams family story, Wednesday Addams, a sharp and sarcastic teenager, is sent to a boarding school for outcasts called Nevermore Academy. There, she uncovers mysteries related to her family’s past and navigates her burgeoning psychic abilities.
Representation of Witches: While Wednesday is not directly called a witch, her gothic demeanor, psychic powers, and outsider status resonate with witchy archetypes. Her character reflects the themes of power and otherness often associated with witches.
Rating: TV-14
Runtime: 8 episodes, 45–60m each
Starring: Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Synopsis: On his 11th birthday, Harry Potter discovers he’s a wizard and is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he learns about magic, friendship, and his destiny to confront the dark wizard who killed his parents.
Representation of Witches: Witches and wizards in the Harry Potter universe are part of a structured magical society. The film portrays them as everyday people with extraordinary abilities, living parallel lives to non-magical humans. Magic is shown as both wondrous and dangerous, with witches and wizards as protectors, students, and villains alike.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 2h 32m
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Note: We do not stand with author JK Rowling’s discriminatory stance on transgender rights or trans-exclusionary feminism. We enjoy the Harry Potter story as a nostalgic escape to our younger selves.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017)
Synopsis: Mary, an ordinary girl, stumbles upon a mysterious flower that grants her temporary magical powers and takes her to a magical school for witches. However, Mary soon realizes that not all is as it seems, and she must use her newfound powers to stop a dangerous plot.
Representation of Witches: Witches in this film are depicted as students of magic, where witchcraft is an intellectual pursuit. The film emphasizes the whimsical yet dangerous nature of magic, with witches using their powers to both create and destroy.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1h 43m
Starring: Hana Sugisaki, Ryunosuke Kamiki (Japanese), Ruby Barnhill, Kate Winslet (English)
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Charmed (1998-2006)
Synopsis: Three sisters discover they are the most powerful witches of their generation, destined to protect the world from demons and evil forces. As the Charmed Ones, they balance their everyday lives with their magical responsibilities, using their powers to fight supernatural threats.
Representation of Witches: Wicca heavily influenced Charmed, particularly in its portrayal of magic, rituals, and reverence for nature. The characters frequently follow Wiccan principles of spellcasting and invoking the elements, with the "Power of Three" echoing the Wiccan Triple Goddess. Witchcraft is depicted as a force for protection, family, and justice. While the show introduces Hollywood dramatization with demons and magical battles, it ultimately popularizes an explicitly positive image of witches as powerful, moral beings dedicated to protecting and healing.
Rating: TV-PG
Runtime: 8 seasons, 45m episodes
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, Shannen Doherty, Rose McGowan
Sea Witch Rating: ★★
For content warnings, click here.
Song of the Sea (2014)
Synopsis: Set in Donegal, Ireland on Halloween (Samhain) night, Ben and his sister, Saoirse, embark on a magical adventure to free mythical creatures and save the spirit world. Along the way, they uncover the truth about their family’s connection to an ancient Celtic legend.
Representation of Witches: Though not traditional witches, the characters in Song of the Sea are immersed in Irish mythology, where magic and the natural world are intertwined. The film portrays a deep respect for folklore, with magic being a way to connect with nature and the spiritual world.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1h 33m
Starring: David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Lisa Hannigan
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
Wolfwalkers (2020)
Synopsis: In 17th-century Ireland, a young English hunter named Robyn forms an unlikely friendship with a free-spirited girl who can transform into a wolf. Together, they challenge the boundaries between humans and nature as they fight to protect the last remaining wolf pack.
Representation of Witches: While not focused on witches, Wolfwalkers features shapeshifters whose powers are intertwined with the natural world and rooted in ancient, mystical connections to animals and the earth. It portrays magic as a force for harmony with nature, celebrating the wild and untamed in opposition to societal constraints.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1h 43m
Starring: Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean
Sea Witch Rating: ★★★★★
For content warnings, click here.
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Did we miss any of your favorite witchy media? We’d love to hear your recommendations, so drop them in the comments below and keep the magic alive!
