Logan Ann Taylor presents a list of 15 must-see films about witchcraft

Of all the supernatural beings of lore, I find the witch to be the most complex, layered, and meaningful. While in many cases supernatural figures are metaphorical stand-ins for broader societal fears (e.g.: werewolves often express our fear of puberty or unexplained physical changes, while ghosts can represent our fear of leaving the earth with unfinished business), witches come from a more grounded source of historical significance: a significance that ultimately gives any film about them more authenticity and weight. 

And unlike other supernatural baddies, witches do exist (and have for centuries in various forms of accusatory and self-proclamatory embodiments) — not as green-skinned, long-nosed hags, but as members of practicing Paganistic religions, who worship the natural earth despite being maligned by the negative connotations of the term. This conflation between evil and a non-harmful religion is baffling, especially at a time when recognizing the value of nature could not be more important. 

This religious degradation is one of several damaging aspects of the “witch” label about which I could speak endlessly. In terms of the persecution of sexual women, the ageism inherent in witch accusations, and the concept of witchcraft as a source of awakening, I couldn’t possibly explore everything in one half-hearted article. I’d like to briefly highlight many witch-related films that have stirred my interest in the topic. These films span decades and explore witches from various perspectives and tones, so it’s truly a broad sample of one of the most intellectually compelling subgenres of horror cinema.

Häxan (Benjamin Christensen, 1922)

The true grandmother of all witch cinema, Häxan is a haunting, immersive piece of filmmaking more concerned with examining the history and acts of witchcraft rituals than eliciting empathy for the victims of said rituals. Still, viewers will be hard-pressed to find visuals this haunting even in more recent, exploitative takes on witch persecution.

The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939)

In all its Technicolor fantasy splendor and escapism, The Wizard Of Oz still manages to intelligently explore the moral lines of the “good witch” vs the “bad witch.” Though the film may be largely responsible for our cartoonish understanding of a bad witch, it also suggests that a witch’s power is only evil when harnessed in evil ways. 

Black Sunday (Mario Bava, 1960)

This haunting gothic tale remains a classic for its intricate exploration of vengeance. It also takes a decidedly less “green and warty” approach to the witch figure, instilling Asa (Barbara Steele) with the power of seduction and kickstarting the more sexualized version of the witch mythology. 

Season of the Witch (George A. Romero, 1973)

Witchy vengeance has never felt as satisfying as it does in this swinging romp about a mistreated housewife. It’s witchy in the hippest ways and is the only film on this list to be re-packaged and re-marketed as softcore erotica, which is clearly a sign of changing morals and a “taking back” of the sexy side of witches.

The Witch Who Came From the Sea (Matt Cimber, 1976)

This film is a surprise on many levels, including the fact that no tentacled witch creature as depicted on the cover art and poster ever appears. Despite not featuring any monstrous manifestations of witches, The Witch Who Came From the Sea does a remarkable job exploring the deep-rooted causes of “hysteria,” sensitively probing the trauma that can cause a woman to use her powers in evil ways.

Suspiria (Dario Argento, 1977)

Dario Argento’s witch-adjacent Three Mothers trilogy deserves more attention than I can give it in a brief summary, but the most famous film of the trilogy, Suspiria, puts a mesmerizing, kaleidoscopic spin on witch mythology inside an elite German dance school.

The Devonsville Terror (Ulli Lommel, 1983)

The Devonsville Terror is an outrageous horror film that, for all its titilating attention to bare-breasted women on burning stakes, still features some brazen feminist messaging. This underappreciated treasure initially spurred my desire to write these witchy pieces.

The Witches of Eastwick (George Miller, 1987)

Films like The Witches of Eastwick take a decidedly more playful approach to the topic. While much of the feminist power of the figure is stripped from this interpretation, it’s still a delightful and satisfying piece of vengeance. 

The Witches (Nicolas Roeg, 1990)

For a children’s film, this is one of the most beautifully shot, deeply disturbing witch films out there. The practical effects, puppetry, and creative reimagining of witch folklore mark this as an iconic moment in the witchcraft timeline.

Hocus Pocus (Kenny Ortega, 1993)

It had to be done. Do I think there’s that much deep theoretical value to this cult comedy? No. But do I adore a good bit of witch folklore set in the heart of Salem that creates really lovable characters out of its goofy witches? Sure do. 

The Craft (Andrew Fleming, 1996)

The Craft fuses the witch subgenre with a coming of age story loaded with teenage angst, ultimately becoming one of the darkest but most hopeful films about the power of femininity and the complexity of female friendship. It’s frankly a more badass movie than many give it credit for.

The Blair Witch Project (Eduardo Sanchez, Daniel Myrick, 1999)

This one is less about the witch herself, who is never really seen, identified, or understood, than it is about the effects that a legend can have on others. The Blair Witch Project holds the place for the most terrifying and unsettling film on this list.

The VVitch (Robert Eggers, 2015)

A period-loyal, painterly film about the lures of witchcraft in Puritanical surroundings. Even if I find it a little dull and stodgy, it’s a classical story given a modern twist that can’t be ignored in any thorough examination of these themes. 

The Love Witch (Anna Biller, 2016)

The most in-your-face feminist exploration of the concept of witchcraft as a seductive, spellbinding tool. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny the power of The Love Witch to reimagine the genre with fresh eyes while still paying homage to the psychedelic melodramas of the ’70s.

 Lux Aeterna (Gaspar Noé, 2019)

One of my favorite witch films to talk about is the one the fewest people have seen. After a limited festival run, someday the wider world will be introduced to Lux Aeterna in all its bonkers majesty. And on that day you will understand exactly why I’m obsessed with its contemporary interpretation of witch persecution.

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