Halloween is coming and we want to talk about something that, let’s face it, many of us are fascinated by: witches! From the dark and evil to the charming and powerful, witches have been part of our pop culture since forever. Here we bring you a top of the best witches that movies and television have given us. Ready to enter a world of magic, spells and flying broomsticks? Let’s get started!
Hermione Granger – Harry Potter
We can’t start a list of witches without mentioning the queen of the Harry Potter books and movies: Hermione Granger. Although she’s technically a young witch, her intelligence, spell casting skills and loyalty make her one of everyone’s favorites. Hermione is not only Harry and Ron’s most loyal friend, but on many occasions, she saves the day with her wit and power. Who hasn’t wanted a little bit of her magic to pass a test or fix a tricky problem?
Maleficent – Maleficent
If you like darker witches, Maleficent is perfect for you. In the classic “Sleeping Beauty”, she is the villain who casts the curse on Princess Aurora, but the movie “Maleficent” (starring Angelina Jolie) shows us a more complex side of this iconic character. With towering wings and sharp horns, Maleficent is a mix of power, vulnerability and, of course, a lot of magic. Although she started out as the “evil witch,” over time we came to understand that her story had more layers than we imagined.
Sabrina Spellman – Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Sabrina Spellman is a character that has evolved a lot. If you grew up in the 90’s, you surely remember the light and comic version of Sabrina, the teenage witch, where actress Melissa Joan Hart made everything fun, accompanied by her sarcastic cat Salem.
Elphaba – Wicked
Elphaba is the famous “Wicked Witch of the West” from the classic story of The Wizard of Oz, but in the musical Wicked, we learn her true story. It turns out she’s not as bad as she’s portrayed. In fact, she’s misunderstood! This play teaches us that witches can also have a vulnerable side and that all is not what it seems. Her powerful voice and her transformation have made her one of the most iconic witches in theater and film.
The Scarlet Witch – Wanda Maximoff – Marvel
Wanda Maximoff, better known as Scarlet Witch, is one of the most powerful witches in the Marvel Universe. Although she started out as a villain in the comics, her character has had an impressive development, and in the MCU, we see her go through every possible emotion. Her power is incredible, and in WandaVision, we see Wanda dealing with her pain in such a human way that it’s easy to empathize with her, even if she’s rewriting reality to her liking.
The Sanderson Sisters – Hocus Pocus
If nostalgia is your thing, you can’t miss the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus. Winifred, Mary and Sarah are comical witches who come back to life after 300 years in a modern-day Salem. Uniquely charming and a little awkward, these three sisters try to regain power as they battle a group of teenagers. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker made this trio an unforgettable one for generations of us who grew up watching this movie.
Fiona Goode – American Horror Story: Coven
If we talk about witches on TV, we can’t forget American Horror Story: Coven. In this season, we meet Fiona Goode, played by the incomparable Jessica Lange. Fiona is the Supreme, that is, the most powerful witch in her coven, and she does everything she can to stay in that position. Ambitious, elegant and ruthless, Fiona is a modern witch who doesn’t hesitate to use her powers to stay young and in control – a true queen!
The Witches of Eastwick
This is one gem of cinema that we can’t leave out. The Witches of Eastwick (1987), based on the novel by John Updike, introduces us to three women (played by Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon) who discover their magical powers after meeting the mysterious Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson). The chemistry between the three leads and the touch of black humor make this movie a must-see classic for witch story lovers.
The Wicked Witch of the West – The Wizard of Oz
And of course, we couldn’t close this top without mentioning the most classic witch of all: the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. Played by Margaret Hamilton, her green skin and her iconic line “I’ll get you, my pretty!” made her one of the most memorable villains in cinema. Although there have been many versions of this character over the years, the 1939 version remains the most famous and the one that inspired many other depictions of witches on screen.
Witches in film and television have evolved from the terrifying figures we used to see to more complex and fascinating characters. Some are villains, others heroines, and many are in that interesting middle ground where good and bad intertwine. Whether you’re into dark magic or friendlier spells, there’s a witch for everyone. Who’s your favorite?
