Spellbinding Sorcery: A Star-Studded Roster of Hollywood's Enchanting Witches
Celebrities from Angelina Jolie to Bette Midler have embraced their enchanting alter egos on the big and small screen Discover the magical performances of these stars as witches in movies and TV shows
Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Well, in the case of certain actresses, they've played both!
In the late 1930s, witches became a significant presence in popular culture with the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 1937 and The Wizard of Oz in 1939. These films not only inspired countless iconic celebrity costumes (who can forget Ellen DeGeneres and Drew Barrymore's amazing Glinda the Good Witch Halloween looks?), but also ignited a lasting fascination with onscreen witches. From the infamous Wicked Witch of the West to characters like Wanda Maximoff, the craze continues to captivate audiences to this day.
The '90s witnessed a surge in popularity for witch-related content, with shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Charmed, and Practical Magic taking the spotlight. However, the 2000s have proven that the fascination with magic remains strong among modern fans. In recent times, movies and shows such as American Horror Story: Coven, WandaVision, and The Witches have captivated audiences with their bewitching tales.
Take a look below to discover a compilation of esteemed actresses who have portrayed witches on the big screen and television over the years:
Credit: Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Peter Mountain; ROTH FILMS/ WALT DISNEY PICTURES / Album; Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection; FX
Celebrities Who've Played Witches in Movies and TV: Angelina Jolie, Bette Midler, More
Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Both, in some actresses' case!
In the late 1930s, the introduction of witches in films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and The Wizard of Oz had a significant impact on popular culture. This not only gave rise to iconic celebrity costumes but also ignited a lasting fascination with witches on screen, from the memorable Wicked Witch of the West to characters like Wanda Maximoff.
While the '90s saw a surge in witch-themed content with shows such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Charmed, and Practical Magic, the 2000s have shown that modern audiences are just as enthralled by magical stories. In recent years, movies and shows like American Horror Story: Coven, WandaVision, and The Witches have captivated viewers with their bewitching protagonists taking center stage.
Scroll to see a list of actresses who have played witches in movies and TV through the years:
Credit: Getty Images
Sally and Gillian Owens
Actresses: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman
Movie: Practical Magic
Year: 1998
Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock for AMC
Dr. Rowan Fielding
Actress: Alexandra Daddario
Show: Mayfair Witches
Year: 2023
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Sabrina Spellman
Actress: Kiernan Shipka
Show: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Year: 2018-2020
Credit: Sony Pictures
Frankie, Tabby, Lourdes and Lily
Actresses: Cailee Spaeny, Gideon Adlon, Lovie Simone and Zoey Luna
Movie: The Craft: Legacy
Year: 2020
Credit: Disney+
Wanda Maximoff
Actress: Elizabeth OlsenShow: WandaVisionYear: 2021
Credit: Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival
The Witch of the Wood
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The Grand High Witch
Actress: Anne Hathaway Movie: The Witches Year: 2020
Credit: YouTube
The Grand High Witch
Actress: Anjelica HustonMovie: The Witches
Year: 1990
Credit: Frank Connor/Disney
Maleficent
Actress: Angelina Jolie
Movie: Maleficent
Year: 2014
Credit: Michele K. Short/FX
Fiona Goode and the Coven
Actresses: Jessica Lange, Emma Roberts, Jamie Brewer, Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey SidibeShow: American Horror Story: CovenYear: 2013-2014
Credit: Peter Mountain
The Witch
Actress: Meryl StreepMovie: Into the WoodsYear: 2014
Credit: Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Winifred Sanderson
Actress: Bette Midler
Movie: Hocus Pocus
Year: 1993
Credit: Lifetime
Wendy, Ingrid, Joanna, and Freya Beauchamp
Actresses: Madchen Amick, Rachel Boston, Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan TatumShow: Witches of East EndYear: 2013
Credit: ROTH FILMS/ WALT DISNEY PICTURES / Album
Glinda the Good Witch
Actress: Michelle Williams
Movie: Oz the Great and Powerful
Year: 2013
Credit: Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection
Hermione Granger
Actress: Emma Watson
Movies: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and its seven sequels
Years: 2001-2011
Credit: ABC/AUTUMN DE WILDE
The Evil Queen
Actress: Lana Parrilla
Show: Once Upon a Time
Year: 2011-2018
Credit: Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sally and Gillian Owens
Actresses: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman
Movie: Practical Magic
Year: 1998
Credit: Viacom Productions/courtesy Everett Collection
Hilda, Sabrina and Zelda Spellman
Actresses: Caroline Rhea, Melissa Joan Hart and Beth Broderick
Show: Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
Year: 1996-2003
Credit: Everett Collection
Alexandra Medford, Jane Spofford, and Sukie Ridgemont
Actresses: Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer
Movie: The Witches of Eastwick
Year: 1987
Credit: Justin Stephens/The CW
Bonnie Bennett
Actress: Kat Graham
Show: The Vampire Diaries
Year: 2009-2017
Credit: Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
Queen Narissa
Actress: Susan Sarandon
Movie: Enchanted
Year: 2007
Credit: Viacom / courtesy Everett Collection
Phoebe, Prue and Piper Halliwell
Actress: Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty and Holly Marie Combs
Show: Charmed
Years: 1998-2006 (Milano and Combs); 1998-2011 (Doherty)
Credit: Merie Weismiller Wallace; SMPSP
Evanora
Actress: Rachel Weisz
Movie: Oz the Great and Powerful
Year: 2013
Credit: ABC/ROBERT VOETS
Joanna Frankel, Roxie Torcoletti and Kat Gardener
Actresses: Lindsay Price, Rebecca Romijn and Jaime Ray Newman
Show: Eastwick
Year: 2009
Credit: DISNEY CHANNEL / courtesy everett collection
Show: Wizards of Waverly Place
Year: 2007-2012
Credit: David Gray/The CW
Cassie Blake
Actress: Britt RobertsonShow: The Secret CircleYear: 2011-2012
Credit: John Bramley/Warner Bros. Pictures
Ridley Duchannes
Actress: Emmy Rossum
Movie: Beautiful Creatures
Year: 2013
Credit: Everett Collection
Samantha Stephens
Actress: Elizabeth Montgomery
Show: Bewitched
Year: 1964-1972
Credit: Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Bonnie Hyper
Actress: Neve Campbell
Movie: The Craft
Year: 1996
Credit: courtesy Everett Collection
The Wicked Witch of the West
Actress: Margaret Hamilton
Movie: The Wizard of Oz
Year: 1939
Credit: 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Willow Rosenberg
Actress: Alyson Hannigan
Show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Year: 1997-2003
Credit:
Louise Miller
Actress: Robyn LivelyShow: Teen WitchYear: 1989
Credit: Central Independent Television PLC/courtesy Everett Collection
Miss Cackle, Miss Hardbroom, and Mildred Hubble
Actresses: Charlotte Rae, Diana Rigg, Fairuza BalkMovie: The Worst WitchYear: 1986
