Whether you like a good scare, or are drawn to the lifestyle, Witchcraft has blessed our screens in many forms over the years, from the kooky and silly, to the genuinely revolting. I tend to lean more towards the latter.

Watching depictions of Witchcraft, as an actual Witch, can be very frustrrating, not to mention insulting! They get a lot of details wrong, they go for the shock value instead of quality story, every Witch is either hot or hideous (no where in between) I could go on. There are some stand outs though (in my opinion)

I have gathered together my 5 favourite Witchcraft films, some are family friendly, some are REALLY not, so there’s a little something for everyone. I’ve included the classifications for Australia, so check your country’s ratings before showing them to kids!

Let me know your favourites in the comments!

5. The Brother’s Grimm (M) - 2005

Dimension Films and Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

Starring Matt Damon and the late great Heath Ledger, this rather controversial edition to this list is a love it or hate kinda film. There’s some cringy moments sure, but the backdrop of dark forest Germany is a must see, as well as the draw of OG brothers Grimm tales told well, grim, as intended.

The Grimm brothers are travelling scammers, first infecting Napoleonic era germanic villages with flim flam ‘evil’, then vanquishing them, for a fee of course. The plan falls apart when a French General involuntarily enlists the brothers to rid a superstitious town of its dark magic problem, thus bringing them into the fold of French occupation. Small problem, the forest really IS haunted by a dark magic, darker and more dangerous than even they could dream up!

Rounding out the crew is Lena Headley, Jonathan Price (with a truly horrific French accent), and the always scene stealing Peter Stomare.

I bit more violent/disturbing/jump scare-ish then the M rating would suggest, definitely one for the older kids.

7/10

4. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (G) - 1971

A true family classic, featuring the peerless Angela Landsbury as Miss Eglantine Price, a reluctant Witch doing what she can to protect her beloved England from invaders circa World War 2. Her lessons via the Correspondence College of Witchcraft have suddenly stopped, right before the final and most important spell. Complicating matters, Miss Price has become the reluctant ward of three irascible children evacuated from Londons blitz. There’s nothing for it but to find the elusive headmaster of the college, and get that last spell. Its off to London!

Featuring delightful live action on animation scenes that walked so Who Framed Roger Rabbit could run, as well as some of Disney’s most delightful songs, this is a certified classic (sadly overshadowed at the time by Mary Poppins, and often forgotten as a musical in its own right). Some of the scenes, especially the assorted dances in the Portobello Road scenes have dated a bit culturally insensitive, but overwhelmingly its a great family movie, with some feel good witchcraft that even muggles will love.

8/10

3. The VVitch (MA15+) - 2016

Wouldst thou like to live deliciously? As Witchcraft movies go, it doesn’t get much better than Robert Eggars The VVitch.

Written with enormous attention to contemporaneous detail, the The VVitch captures the haunting and crushing reality of 1630 New England, in all its bleakness and superstition. Based on a compilation of real folklore, The VVItch is a quietly gripping and unsettling study of the lengths people will go to to survive, and how the real monsters are the ones we create.

Featuring a young and absolutely mind blowing Anya Taylor-Joy, with Ralph Emerson and Kate Dickie as her pious and flawed parents.

The VVitch is a slow burn with moments of horror (the opening scene is the hardest to watch IMHO), so not a typical jump scare horror film, but one that will stay with you long after you watch it. Definitely not a kids movie!

10/10

2. Practical Magic (M) - 1998

DiNovi Pictures, Fortis Films, Village Roadshow Pictures

I don’t even know where to start. This is required watching, for everyone, but especially Witches! You’ll be hard pressed to find a Witch that can’t quote this film back to front, yours truly included. Not only is this a great movie on its own, but there’s nary a Witch that doesn’t want to be an Owen’s woman, or at the very least TO OWN THAT HOUSE!

Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, and a young Evan Rachel Wood are the Owen’s family, cursed by their ancestor Maria to be unlucky in love, or rather the men that fall in love with Owen’s women are unlucky (RIP). Add a proper good haunting, a banger soundtrack, women kicking ass and taking names, and truly stunning aesthetics (did I mention the HOUSE?!), this is a must watch, for most audiences (some of the haunting scenes might be a bit much for younger audiences). Also, if you don’t sob during THAT scene at the end, you have no soul. I’ve said it.

A frequent rewatch is mandatory, we’re also getting a sequel! (as of 2025) Also can we please bring back those lace covered dresses, they were pure fire.

10/10

And at #1..

The Craft (MA15+) - 1996

I’m a Gen X Witch. The Craft is our Roman Empire.

Its got everything, Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel true, they had an actual Wiccan as a technical advisor, the soundtrack DEFINES 90’s counterculture, and we will forever try to lift our friends chanting “light as a feather, stiff as a board” at every opportunity.

We follow Sarah, a new to area young woman healing from an unaliving attempt, facing the gauntlet that is high school. She is befriended by 3 Witches, outcasts in their own right, who together reach for magic they don’t fully understand, and cannot control.

This film is particularly important to me, it goes in my top 5 movies of all time, but also was THE touchstone for me in developing my own craft (let alone giving a name to it).

Absolute required watching for all Witches. A frequent rewacth too. May be a bit much for young audiences though.

10/10

Note: While I, like many people, loved a certain boy Wizard, I will in no way promote or endorse the work of anyone seeking to hurt anyone, especially members of minorities or the LGBTQiA+ #ProtectTheDolls