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Although the popularity of witch in no style touch that of zombies , ghosts , or daimon , witch mythology has been around for hundred of years . For the most part , they either resemble a decrepit one-time hag , which was normally their true variant , or mask themselves as a beautiful young woman . Nevertheless , witches always had abilities of differ strengths , able to mold spells , brew potion , and manipulate consideration to take on their ends .
Ultimately , witches come to represent the mystery and crushing of female sex in many cultures , which is why so many crone use the power of seduction . They are often the cleaning lady contemn , seek revenge or questing for power so that they may be never be inhibit again .
While the majority of large - silver screen delineation of witches show the non-white side of witchcraft , occasionally there will be a good witch among them . As Halloween approach , it ’s sentence to celebrate the goodness and the spoilt , the darkness and the lighting , and espouse that duality . This is a tilt of the best pic witches , both serious and bad , who all exhibit power and strength in their own right .
Updated on November 15th , 2022 by Amanda Bruce : Witches have a unbendable foothold in picture show whether that ’s in horror narrative or animated family film . New beldam seem to be introduced every year in Halloween - theme movies peculiarly , like 2022 ’s Hocus Pocus continuation . hag even have a place in modern superhero flick . With that in mind , the best movie witches are a mix of Greco-Roman characters and modern interpretations .
Eglantine Price (Bedknobs And Broomsticks)
Bedknobs And Broomsticksis often forgotten among Disney ’s classic live action musicals in party favour ofMary Poppins . It does , however , feature Angela Lansbury as one of the most entrancing witches in picture .
A cleaning woman living on her own in the English countryside , she takes up a proportionateness course in witchery , hoping to utilize the magic she learns to turn the tide of World War II in favor of the British . Her course ending abruptly and her home being the relocation power point for a trey of children puts her on a stain new escapade though . She might not be the most powerful , or the most complete , of movie witches , but she ’s one with plenty of heart .
Helena Markos (Suspiria)
Helena Markos , the alias for Mater Suspiriorum , appears in both the original 1977Suspiriaand the 2018 remake of the movie . The persona is an old and judicious witch who becomes more powerful as she gains follower and sacrifice .
She ’s certainly one of the more terrific flick witch as even when others mistrust her of being a witch , she hang on in her finish . She even turn her need for sacrifice into a career path , found a dancing honorary society . She ’s cagey and virtually unstoppable .
Wanda Maximoff (MCU)
funny volume fans knew thatWanda Maximoff was also known as the Scarlet Witchbefore she made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut . It initially did n’t await like the MCU would use the more magical aspect of her origin though . That changed with the Disney PlusWandaVisionseries .
Wanda is one of the most powerful witches in medium . Not only can she move things with her mind , but she can plant hallucinations in the minds of others , see their fears , and switch the very fabric of reality . That can all be done on her own without the aid of a focused spell . Of course , Wanda ’s great power and grief also vitiate her the longer she use deception in the MCU , turn her into one of the most tragical figure .
The Owens Sisters (Practical Magic)
There is no “ spooky season”movie about sisterhood that is more beloved thanPractical Magic . The Owens sisters ( three generations of them ) are a very different witch than what most movies would highlight .
The Owens sisters have a natural gift for magic , able-bodied to light candles and snap binders shut with their minds . Sally has a particular gift for potions , produce rude soaps and lotions that she sells in town . Gilly like to use her gift in more flashy way , making the multitude who grew up with her a piffling nervous around her . They are n’t just natural retiring witch though . They also rise themselves to be very herculean as they , with the avail of their aunts , start out a fresh coven to get rid of a regretful spirit .
Marnie Piper (Halloweentown)
Though there are a lot of witches in repulsion moving picture , there are also a lot of friendly witches in children ’s movies . Marnie Piper , a adolescent who discovers she comes from a tenacious pipeline of witch , is one of those .
She appears in the Disney Channel original movies - four of them - centered on the fictitious Halloweentown . In each motion-picture show , she learns more about magic and help her category save the mean solar day . She ’s not as muscular as some of the other witches in movie , but she ’s certainly one of the most beloved .
Ursula the Sea Witch (The Little Mermaid)
Probably the onlyDisneycharacter to ever be inspire by a drag faggot , Ursula the Sea Witch ( voice by Pat Carroll ) is the main adversary inThe Little Mermaid . Driven by her lust for power , Ursula will do whatever it takes for a chance at supplant King Triton as the rule of Atlantica . Using sorcery , deception , and a whole spate of sass , she tricks Ariel into trading her voice ( and essentially her mortal ) for legs . Ensuring she never has to give Ariel ’s spokesperson back , Ursula bilk Ariel ’s attempt at procure a buss from Prince Eric and eventually does secure her plaza as rule , turning King Triton into a diminutive polypus .
apart from glorify hoi polloi and objects , Ursula can also increase her size dramatically and even manipulate the weather once she gains control of the triton . Like so many other witches , peculiarly Disney witches , she also has her own minions - a pair of moray eel diagnose Flotsam and Jetsam .
Queen Ravenna (Snow White and the Huntsman)
Charlize Theron is both beautiful and atrocious as the malign Queen Ravenna inSnow White and the Huntsman . With her power of dark magic , she overtop a Dark Army and can turn into other humans as well as birds for disguise herself and get by from harm . Possessing a magic mirror , like in the originalSnow Whitestory , the evil tabby keeps cart track of whom the fairest in the land is .
Queen Ravenna ’s fixation with her appearance is the result of a spell stray on her as a kid requiring her to drain youth and smasher from others in club to keep on her own . She will do anything in her ability to stay on as she is , powerful and beautiful , even if it means poisoning Snow White or eating her gist . Charlize fork up an improbably convincing performance , embody a deep - seated wickedness that ’s both terrific and mesmerizing .
Princess Asa Vajda (Black Sunday)
lead astray by her own brother and burned at the stake for witchcraft , Princess Asa Vajda , played by Barbara Steele , vows revenge on his posterity . Two hundred age after her death , the blood line of a doctor resurrects her in one of the most gothically perfect scenery a repulsion fan could ever trust to see , complete with dense murk , scorpions , and bat . Aside from being a princess , enchantress , and vampire rolled up into one , Princess Asa is particularly terrifying because of the inscrutable holes in her brass from the death mask that was forge into her when she was inter . The Princess also have telepathy and mind control abilities , resurrecting her handmaid , Javuto , from his grave to do her bidding .
In typical witchy fashion , Princess Asa will do anything necessary , even obliterate , to reach her goal of revenge . at long last , however , she ’s a egotistic Saint Bridget of Satan who essay to endure again in the trunk of her own descendant , the current princess who looks exactly like her .
Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
One of the untested witches on this leaning , Kiki fromStudio Ghibli’sKiki ’s Delivery Serviceis a benevolent trainee beldame , who leave behind home to learn about herself and what it entail to be a sorceress . Although her only power at the time is flight by broomstick , she uses the gift to the dear of her ability and starts a legal transfer military service in commutation for way and board . Although Kiki encounters many obstruction along her fashion , she shows groovy intelligence , tenacity , and endeavor .
When she misplace her ability to fly ( and verbalize to her black-market cat , Jiji ) , it obviously distresses her greatly , but she never gives up . Her artist Quaker , Ursula , suggest her that it ’s probably a bit of artist ’s cylinder block , which in essence is the manifestation of ego - doubt . Kiki ’s journey as a witch is that of self - discovery and ego - acceptance of her purpose in life and who she truly is . Unlike most other witches in flick , Kiki ’s powers are unconditioned and not a materialisation of her wishes and desire . rather , she only has to believe in herself for reestablish her abilities and become a full - fledge witch .
Minnie Castevet (Rosemary’s Baby)
think if the nosy neighbor next door was actually a beldame , hell - crumpled on impregnating someone with the spawn of Satan himself . Enter Minnie Castevet , one such witch from Roman Polanski’sRosemary ’s Baby . Sure , Minnie seems harmless enough at first , although certainly irritating , but little does poor Rosemary Woodhouse know that Minnie had plans for her all along .
From the first time Rosemary and her husband Guy sit down for dinner with Minnie and Roman Castevet , Minnie take on advantage of Guy ’s lustfulness for fame and fortune as an histrion , and a heap is struck . unbeknown to Rosemary , her married man grant her to get outrage by Satan , so he can start gravel oeuvre . All the while , Minnie , Roman , and the other inhabitants of Bramford patiently hold back until she births her devil baby . Although not much is unveil about Minnie ’s specific powers , she is a herbalist , making Rosemary a special drink during her pregnancy and giving her " tannis root " to wear as a full destiny charm . at long last , she ’s part of a tumid coven , stronger in a group than individually , although she sure enough seems to have her own powers of use as well .
Alexandra, Jane, & Sukie (The Witches of Eastwick)
It ’s impossible to choose between Alexandra Medford ( Cher ) , Jane Spofford ( Susan Sarandon ) , and Sukie Ridgemont ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) fromThe Witches of Eastwickbecause most of the magic in the movie is performed when the three are together , and after all , they represent the Triple Goddess in Wicca and Neopagan religion .
Daryl , played by Jack Nicholson , is drawn to Eastwick by their desire for the perfect man , interpret the Horned God , the masculine side of witchery , which all three woman are omit from their lives . Each woman blossoms as they give in to Daryl ’s seduction , espouse their own duality and go forth magic abilities , which include moderate the weather and levitating physical object . Once they understand what ’s bump , they consecrate to employ their powers responsibly , only seeking to spite Daryl for manipulating them into harming Felicia Alden ( Veronica Cartwright ) . Poor , poor narrow-minded - minded Felicia . Even though she was a annoyance , that cerise pit scene was difficult to watch .
Lady Van Tassel (Sleepy Hollow)
Sleepy Hollow’sLady Van Tassel , play by Miranda Richardson , is one of the most highly underrated movie beldam . apart from her sorcerous abilities , which primarily dwell of swan spells and curses , she ’s also an incredibly expert serial killer . Not only does she keep in line the Hessian ( Headless Horseman ) by possessing his skull and make him murder for her , she herself mangle three people .
Everything she does is out of hatred and retaliation towards the Van Tassels and Van Garretts , who were responsible for for the destruction of her family . She uses her ability of seduction , handling , and cunning to worm her style into the Van Tassel family , while quiet picking off everyone who stand in the elbow room of her inherit their fortune . She fake her death , kills her sister , and even orders the Hessian to kill an entire crime syndicate , including a shaver , prove her soul does indeed belong to to the devil .
The White Witch (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobes)
playact bythe bewitching Tilda Swinton , the White Witch is the powerful tabby of Narnia when the Pevensie children arrive through the wardrobe . She ’s a classic witch of the fancy smorgasbord , ended with an army of spies and beast minion typeset to do her bidding . The White Witch has many baron , the greatest of which is her ability to keep Narnia in a 100 - year long winter without any Christmas . She also has a magic wand that can turn the great unwashed to gemstone , and she use wizardly drops to invoke up food , drink , or whatever is desired .
More than anything else , the White Witch wishes to remain queen , and she seeks to destroy any other homo that enter the region of Narnia . A prophecy monish that her sovereignty is at an end , and that two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve will take her place as ruler . She ab initio tries to enamour the Pevensie children , only wangle Edmund at first , whom she chains up in her castle . Eventually , however , they all satisfy on the battlefield .
The Witch (Into the Woods)
The Witch inInto the Woods , bring by Meryl Streep , is the catalyst for all the events that occur during the span of the picture show . Once upon a time , she had placed a bane on the Baker ’s family for stealing her magic edible bean and turning her into an despicable quondam witch as a result . so as to break the bane , she sends the Baker and his married woman on a journeying to retrieve four constituent for a magic potion : the cow as white-hot as milk , the ness as cerise as blood , the haircloth as lily-livered as maize , the slider as pure as atomic number 79 . Once they recall all the ingredients , they ’ll be able to have kid - and she ’ll be restored to her former smasher .
Along with be sick execration and growing vegetables with magical properties , the Witch also steal the Baker ’s sister , Rapunzel , when she was a child , raising her in secret . Unlike the bulk of enchantress on this inclination , she really has a bit of good left in her , as she genuinely bed Rapunzel as she would her own daughter . However , after she is restored to her former self , she loses both Rapunzel and her powers ; a fair price to yield for cause all form of chaos and death .
Lamia (Stardust)
Lamia ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) , or the Witch Queen as she ’s sometimes known , is the main antagonist inStardust . Like a few of the other crone mentioned here , she ’s part of a triad of beldame who are also her sisters . The most powerful of the three , Lamia seeks out the heart of the star , Yvaine , which will reconstruct her youthfulness and beauty for hundreds of age if she go through it .
regrettably for her , every clock time she apply her magical ability , it ages her a little more . Throughout the motion picture , Lamia uses many magical dick to accomplish her goal , include runes , a witching ringing , a magical mirror , and even a voodoo doll . Interestingly enough , Michelle Pfeiffer was also inThe Witches of Eastwick , where she and her co - stars used a voodoo wench to torture Daryl . Pfeiffer as Lamia is a much more powerful witch , however ; at one point , she manages to swim Prince Septimus and then re - animate his corpse to fight for her . Lamia also has the ability to turn people into animal and bend them to her every whim .
Hermione Granger (Harry PotterSeries)
Often describe as the " brightest crone of her old age , " Hermione Granger ( Emma Watson ) continuously proves herself to be on par with Wiccan twice her age and experience stage . Because of her bookish nature , Hermione spend the majority of her meter studying when she was n’t having adventures withHarry Potterand Ron Weasley . More than a few time , she ended upsaving the 24-hour interval in theHarry Potterfranchiseas a result of something she learned in a book or by paying attention in class .
Hermione ’s mastery of magic was so dandy that she invite high marks in ten different sorcerous subjects while in shoal and still managed an active social life . Hermione also enchants a travelling bag with an extendable appeal , which take into account her to keep a act of impossibly with child detail inside , including several changes of clothes , playscript , and even a full - size collapsible shelter . She is the epitome of a good beldame , one who will put up by her friends and class through loggerheaded and thin , make sacrifices if necessary , and protect them at all costs .
The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)
The definition of a classic Hollywood - style witch , The Wicked Witch of the West , played by Margaret Hamilton , inspire reverence in kid everywhere with her galvanizing green cutis and cackling laugh . Sporting a pointed black hat and broom handle , hers was the costume and look that inhale most depictions of witches from the 1940s onward .
apart from flying on a broomstick , she ’s also able to throw off fire and cast spells ; she even commands an army of flying monkeys who do her bidding ( and are unquestionably creepy ) . Throughout the film , she tries to obtain Dorothy ’s ruby red skidder , which originally belong to to her sis , The Wicked Witch of the East . Her obsession with the ruby ruby-red slippers causes her to try and toss off Dorothy , so she can conquer Oz for herself . However , it ’s The Wicked Witch ’s pursuance for baron that show to be her untying . Her death conniption is one of the most iconic in cinematic history , mellow out into a steaming pile of nothing .
Nancy Downs (The Craft)
The pinnacle of ' 90s tyke lady friend angst , Nancy Downs , play by Fairuza Balk , was a troubled teenager attend to a Catholic schoolhouse in Los Angeles . She , along with two fellow students , dabble in witchcraft , but it ’s not until their 4th arrives that they unfeignedly gain their superpower .
Brash , intrigue , and desperate for the care of Manon ( the made up Wiccan nature deity ) , Nancy becomes increasingly unstable . After she calls upon all the power of Manon , her charming abilities become incredibly firm , and her spells begin working . She finds herself able to walk on pee , assure the atmospheric condition , change her appearing , levitate , and induce hallucination in the target area of her spells . Some of the best scenesinThe Craft(that just could n’t be double in the modern remaking ) are of Nancy absolutely losing her mind on someone , like when she make Chris fly out the windowpane to his death , or when she causes her stepfather to have a mettle attack after he tries to attack her mother . Nancy kills whoever stand in her means with no manifest compunction , making her one of the baddest beldame around .
The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)
Hocus Pocusis reasonably much the most popular Halloween movie of all time at this point ( and it got a continuation almost 30 years after its launching ) , which makes Winifred Sanderson and her jr. baby Mary and Sarah , witchy favorites . The triplet entice children away from their families to blow out their souls to keep them immature , using a spellbook given to Winifred by the Mother Witch .
Winifred , as the loss leader , is not to be underestimated . She ’s certainly the strongest of the Sanderson sisters , and a force to be figure with . In addition to flying on her broomstick , making potions , and throw away piece from her beloved spellbook ( abilties her Sister all part ) , Winifred also has electrokinesis abilities . Mary also has the power to literally sniff out nestling and Sarah can use her voice to tempt them to her . When Winifred and her sister encounter the children they ’re look for in 1993 at a Halloween party , they do one of the most memorable view from the motion-picture show , sing and dancing to " I Put a Spell on You " to curse all of the adults in town .
Eva Ernst/The Grand High Witch (The Witches)
Anjelica Huston as Eva Ernst is the ultimate villainess inThe Witches . In the film , Eva poses as an graceful woman of position and the heading of the ( fictional ) Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children . She is , in fact , the Grand High Witch , head of the world ’s witches , and hell - bent on destroy all children . During the witches ' annual coming together , Eva let out her recent strategy in ridding the globe of the stench of baby : a potion that will turn them into mice .
Probably one of the most perturbing human to witch transformations in cinematic chronicle is that of Eva into The Grand High Witch . Eva leave all the witches to murder their disguise and reveal their true selves , which isa genuinely terrifying scene to behold . In gain to her antic show , The Grand High Witch can disintegrate a person by shooting laser - like beams out of her eyes . She unceasingly revolutionise fear in the heart of her fellow witches , as well as audiences everywhere .
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