It’s here, Spooky Season is upon thee, billowing over us in a pumpkin spice scented cloud. As the colder season approaches, it’s the perfect time to cosy up with some wickedly enchanting movies. If you are anything like us here Digital Coven HQ, your movie nights can often be delayed via ‘selecting a film highly charged discourse’ as we will politely refer to it….we’ve all been there. So we’ve formed a panel, a Digital Film Coven as it were and curated some film lists around specific niches to help you claw some time back. We’re creating peace here, what else can I say?
Today’s theme is Films with Witches in…because we’re Witches and we like films with Witches in.
From classic tales of witchcraft to modern interpretations, these films are sure to cast a spell on you. Here’s a curated list of 10 witch films to help you celebrate the season in bewitching style.
Image Credit: IMDB
1. Hocus Pocus (1993): This beloved family Halloween movie follows the misadventures of three hilarious witches resurrected in modern-day Salem. Truly a favourite of many witches who may have had their VHS copy on repeat and still channel the Sanderson Sisters chaos in their everyday life (moi). It has recently been followed up by a sequel in 2022 so we can expect more from this witchy trope ridden series.
Where to watch:
2. The Witch (2015): Set in New England in the 1630s, this unsettling horror film explores the paranoia and supernatural occurrences that befall a Puritan family. Starring the Queen that is Anya Taylor Joy, who stars alongside Black Phillip. If you know, you know.
Where to Watch:
Image Citation: IMDB
3. The Craft (1996): Four high school girls delve into the dark world of witchcraft, discovering their powers and its consequences. This film is the reason why a lot of women in their 30’s started covens in their teens…some of us never stopped, sigh.
They have recently also released another film in 2020 and a TV show. No, I haven’t watched them.
Where to watch:
4. Practical Magic (1998): Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters with magical abilities, this romantic comedy-drama weaves spells and love potions. THAT house, THOSE Aunts. It’s just a dream vibe and it itches a witchy cottage core scratch in the most delightful way. It’s become a bit of a Halloween classic but you can watch it all round and love it. I do.
Where to Watch:
She’s such a silly goose. Image credit: Warner Brothers
5. The Wizard of Oz (1939): Follow Dorothy and her friends as they encounter the Wicked Witch of the West in the timeless adventure set in the magical Land of Oz. Fabulous technicolour, and on pointe shoes. The colourful characters carry you on an adventure that you will be thinking about for time after. There are some really catchy tunes in this film as well.
Ways To Watch:
Image Credit: Netflix
6. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989): In this Studio Ghibli animated masterpiece, a young witch sets up a delivery service and navigates the challenges of independence. If it’s Ghibli you know it’s gonna be good.
Ways To Watch:
Image Credit: IMDB
7. The Witches (1990): Based on Roald Dahl’s book, this fantasy-comedy tells the story of a young boy who uncovers a plan by witches to turn children into mice. I personally prefer this 1990’s one. What can I say, I am a traditionalist in some senses. Petty in others. It’s called nuance.
Ways To Watch:
Image Credit:
8. Suspiria (1977): This Italian horror film directed by Dario Argento follows a young ballet student who discovers that her dance school is run by a coven of powerful witches. There is also a later remake that has been released which is worth a watch.
Ways To Watch:
9. Stardust (2007): In this fantastical adventure, a young man ventures into a magical realm inhabited by witches, princes, and fallen stars, all in search of true love. It’s a fantasy lover’s wet dream in visual format – and writer Jane Goldman is a big crush of mine. So there you have it.
Ways To Watch:
Image Credit: IMDB
10. The Love Witch (2016): A modern homage to 1960s Technicolor thrillers, this visually stunning film follows a beautiful witch using love spells to find her perfect partner. Very Lana Del Rey coded. A Pisceans day dream of a film and a personal fave of mine with great feminist undertones…and ah-mazing clothes, darling. Oh, and homicide, so it has everything a girl could want in a film, really.
Ways To Watch:
Another random tangent but I was meant to go to this premiere party for this film but I had to miss it as I had a last minute presentation land on my desk. Bitter? Moi? Non…I bet the canapes were fabulous.
So there is the very first list of The Best Witch Films to Watch Over Spooky Season, and of course there will be a part 2 (and potentially a 3..) Make sure to let me know your thoughts on the list or any recommendations down in the comments below or via my social channels.
Until next time, darlings!
Love, Ems
@Bunnypudding (Tiktok) / @Bunnyscopes (Instagram)
Profile Image: IMDB
Digital Coven 