Our Favourite Witches from TV and Movies

Can you smell the pumpkin everywhere? Are your eyes glued to your TV focusing on horror shows? How about witches? Do they ring your bell? 

Well, you got it! It’s Halloween! Aside from being my favourite season next to Christmas, Halloween is an excuse to binge watch classic horror shows, especially those starring my favourite femme fatales.

There’s just something classy about witches. To me, they just exude that air of confidence and beauty. But beware, they are really cunning!

1. Rowena (Supernatural)

Rowena is a beautiful redhead and an extremely powerful witch as well. She is also Crowley’s Mummy Dearest and Gavin’s grandmum. She could whip up an “Attack Dog Spell,” which is extremely powerful and only she could perform these difficult spells.

“I hate you… Because if I didn’t.. I’d love you. But love — love is weakness. And I’ll never be weak again.”

2. Regina Mills (Once Upon a Time)

Queen Regina is not only the vilest queen, she’s also the mayor of Storybrooke. Her hatred for Snow White is relentless and she is the reason why fairy tale characters are stuck in Storybrooke.

“Since when do I care about anyone’s happiness but mine?”

3. Marie Laveau (American Horror Story)

Marie Laveau is the Voodoo Queen, who is well known throughout New Orleans. Her status in the Voodoo practice is equivalent to that of the Supreme Witch. She is a character in Coven portrayed by Angela Bassett.

“Too late for tears; damage is done. Waltzing in here like she the Queen of England, talkin’ ’bout hammer and nails, lookin’ to start a war.”

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4. Melisandre (Game of Thrones)

She is a Red Priestess in the religion of R’hllor, the Lord of Light and a close counsellor to Stannis Baratheon in his campaign to take the Iron Throne. After Stannis Baratheon’s death at the Battle of Winterfell, she brings Jon Snow back to life after he was murdered by various members of the Night’s Watch.

I’m loving redheads now.

“There’s only one hell, Princess. The one we live in now.”

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 5. Sabrina Spellman – Sabrina The Teenage Witch

On her 16th birthday, Sabrina discovers that she is a witch. However, because she is a witch, she cannot communicate with her mortal mother for two years or else the latter will turn into a ball of wax, on decree of the Witches Council.

Aaaand I also love Salem.

Salem: “When I’m happy, I eat!”

6. Endora (Bewitched)

Endora is the witch mother of Samantha Stephens. Endora loathes mortals, and disapproves of Darrin, as do many of her and Samantha’s relatives. It is revealed that she was an only child before Uncle Arthur was born.

Her age is also a mystery because she has claimed to have known Julius Caesar and Helen of Troy. She might be around 4000 years old. And yes, another redhead.

“Yes, I know what a bat is. Those ugly flying things that people think we’re always cooking.”

7. Nancy Downs (The Craft)

Nancy was shown to be a troubled, mentally unstable girl, becoming increasingly unhinged and self-absorbed as the film progressed. Nancy could often be rude, aggressive and anti-social. She had few friends and didn’t seem to trust people much (which is okay and I could totally relate to this).

Nancy, with the help of Sarah, harnessed her powers and invoked Manon. However, because she became power-hungry, her powers disappeared and she became insane.

But still, loving her Goth girl character.

Driver: “Watch out for the weirdos, girls.”
Nancy Downs: “We are the weirdos, mister.”

8. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

Despite being a Muggle, Hermione was one of the best witches of her generation. Both of her parents are dentists and she was sorted into Gryffindor. She might come off as a know-it-all but Harry and Ron still befriended her and saved her from a troll during Halloween of 1991.

I love her. Her brains and two front teeth are an instant go-getter.

“It’s Levi-oh-sa, not Leviosah.”

9. The Wicked Witch of the West (Wizard of Oz)

She’s your green-faced foe and yes, she does not have a name (“the girl has no name” from Arya of Game of Thrones thoughts came to mind). She is introduced in the 12th chapter of the novel titled, The Search of the Wicked Witch, where she serves strictly as the most significant antagonist in the plot of the story.

“Ring-around-the-Rosie, a Pocket full of Spears. Thought You’d be pretty Foxy ey? Well…the last one to go will see the other three go before her. And that mangy little dog too!”

10. Maleficent (Maleficent)

She’s the beautiful but equally vile antagonist in Sleeping Beauty and the protagonist on her own movie, Maleficent. She is an evil sorceress, unlike the other three fairy godmothers in the movie and her being evil enables her to perform many magical and powerful spells. She carries a staff with a glowing green orb at the tip through which she casts her spells. She is also capable of shape shifting at will into numerous forms, including a floating hypnotic light resembling a will-o’-the-wisp and a massive, monstrous black-and-purple dragon.

“You poor, simple fools; thinking you could defeat me! ME! The mistress of all evil!”

11. Lamia (Stardust)

When I read the book, I didn’t think that Michelle Pfeiffer would be the one to play Lamia in the movie; and in fairness, she was sooo good. Lamia was also the vainest, most manipulative, and most ruthless Lillim witch, to the extent where she saw her own sisters as useful pawns at best, and irritating nuisances with whom she was forced to share whatever advantage she could possibly come into at worst. Her sole concern was her youth and beauty, and she would go to any lengths to regain them when they were lost and retain them.

“You shall not see the star, touch it, smell or hear it. You will not perceive her even if she stands before you. Pray you never meet me again, Ditchwater Sal.”

12. Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

Fact: Ariel is my favourite Disney princess but I hate the fact that she wimped out on Ursula, letting the latter get her golden voice.

Ursula was banished from Atlantica and made her home in the remains of a leviathan where she waits the chance to get her revenge on Triton and become Queen of Atlantica. After her banishment, the sea witch established herself as a physical beacon of hope towards unfortunate merpeople, allowing them to strike deals and business propositions that would supposedly result in their happiness, should they successfully fulfill their end of the bargain.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Ursula is actually Ariel’s Aunt?

“I admit that in the past I’ve been a nasty.. they weren’t kidding when they called me, well, a witch.”

13. Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Willow is Buffy Summers’ best friend and sidekick, who also turns out to be a powerful witch. Willow started out as a meek and largely unassertive computer nerd, but eventually grew to be a powerful and authoritative individual. Willow was introduced to the forces of magic by attempting a complex spell to “re-ensoul” Angel.

Yeah, another redhead. *insert heart emoji here*

“The magics I used are very powerful. I’m very powerful. And maybe it’s not such a good idea for you to piss me off.”

14. The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)

The movie is about the tale of three sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica-Parker and Kathy Najimy, who are resurrected on Halloween by an unfortunate teenager, his little sister and his crush.

Fun fact: The movie took place on Halloween in 1993. Halloween that year was on a Sunday and there was no full moon. There hadn’t been a full moon on Halloween since 1974, and the next Halloween full moon will appear in 2020.

“I put a spell on you, and now you’re mine.”

15. Queen Ravenna (Show White and the Huntsman)

Ravenna, also known as the Evil Queen which is the same name of the evil monarch from the legend of Snow White she is based on, is the selfish and tyrannical ruler of Tabor, who learns that her stepdaughter, Snow White, is destined to surpass her as the “Fairest One of All”. However, upon learning that the only way to remain in power is by consuming Snow White’s heart, Ravenna recruits a Huntsman to capture and kill the young princess in exchange for his freedom, and presumably, using her own magic to resurrect his lost wife from the dead which is but a lie.

“Lips red as blood, hair black as night, bring me your heart, my dear, dear Snow White.”

16. The Halliwell Sisters (Charmed)

The Charmed Ones are a prophesied sisterhood of three (later four) witches who descend from the Warren line of witches. They are known as the most powerful witches ever to walk the Earth and are dedicated to protecting innocents and ridding the world of evil.

The magical bond between these sisters is known as The Power of Three, and is said to be the strongest form of magic in the world. It is represented by the ancient symbol called the Triquetra.

“We’re the protectors of the innocent. We’re known as The Charmed Ones.”

17. Morticia Addams (The Addams Family)

Morticia is the wife of Gomez Addams, and the mother of Wednesday, Pugsley, and Pubert. She is also the sister of the daisy-headed Ophelia Frump and daughter of Hester Frump.

Classic pasty makeup and firetruck red lipstick you say? Get your cue from Mrs. Addams.

“I’m just like any modern woman trying to have it all. Loving husband, a family. It’s just, I wish I had more time to seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade.”

18. The Grand High Witch (The Witches)

The Grand High Witch is the main antagonist of the 1983 children’s book The Witches by Roald Dahl and the 1990 fantasy film adaptation of the same name.

As one of the most influential and powerful sorceresses on Earth, she leads a secret society of like-minded witches in their never-ending quest to kill and torture children.

“A stupid witch who answers back must BURN UNTIL HER BONES ARE BLACK! A foolish witch without a brain, must sizzle into fire and flame! An idiotic witch like you must roast upon the barbecue! And any witch who dares to say I’m wrong, will not be with us..VERY LONG!”

19. Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter)

Professor Minerva McGonagall, was a half-blood witch, the only daughter of muggle Robert McGonagall and witch Isobel Ross. She was a registered Animagus who attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from1947-1954 and was sorted into Gryffindor House.

McGonagall was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix. In 1995, she opposed Dolores Umbridge, the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts. She also protected the students from Alecto and Amycus Carrow from 1997 until 1998, and as part of this resistance movement, fought in several battles of both wars, including the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and the Battle of Hogwarts (where she led the resistance against Lord Voldemort).

“Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?”

“Yes,” said Harry.
“You called her a liar?”
“Yes.”
“You told her He Who Must Not Be Named is back?”
“Yes.”
Professor McGonagall sat down behind her desk, frowning at Harry. Then she said, “Have a biscuit, Potter.”

20. Geillis Duncan (Outlander)

Geillis Duncan is the wife of the procurator fiscal, Arthur Duncan, and lives in Cranesmuir, a village near Castle Leoch. She shares Claire’s passion for herbs, though her interests extend beyond simple healing and remedies into much darker practices.

YES. A. REDHEAD.

“They say I’m a witch,” she said, widening her brilliant eyes in feigned astonishment. She grinned. “But my husband’s the procurator fiscal for the district, so they don’t say it too loud.” 

21. The White Witch (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe)

Queen Jadis was the sole living resident and the self-declared final Queen of the world of Charn. She was an extremely powerful sorceress, and was the most infamous ruler of Narnia.

As a curse upon her Narnian subjects, she began the Long Winter, magically forcing Narnia into a hundred-year state of frozen snow and ice, which lasted all through her reign, thus earning her the title, the “White Witch”.

“You know, Aslan, I’m a little disappointed in you. Did you honestly think by all this that you could save the human traitor? You are giving me your life and saving no one. So much for love. Tonight, the Deep Magic will be appeased, but tomorrow, we will take Narnia forever! In that knowledge, despair… and die!”

22. The Witches of Eastwick

Alexandra Medford, Jane Spofford, and Sukie Ridgemont are three dissatisfied women living in the picturesque town of Eastwick, Rhode Island. Alex is a sculptor and single mother of one daughter; Jane is a newly divorced music teacher unable to have children; while Sukie has six daughters and works as a columnist for the Eastwick Word, the local newspaper.

The three friends all have lost their husbands (Alex’s died, Jane’s divorced her, and Sukie’s abandoned her). Unaware that they are witches, the women unwittingly form a coven where they have weekly get-togethers and share their fantasies about ideal men.

Hmm. Michelle Pfeiffer is a really good witch, isn’t she?

“What scares me isn’t how short life is, no, it’s the pain, all the pain. I don’t understand why there has to be any pain.”

I really enjoyed compiling the best fictional witches in the fantasy world. Who’s your most favourite witch of all?