Horror films that center around Witchcraft have a special place in my heart. The films that made my list vary wildly in tone and execution, but they all have that special something.
Here are the best horror films about Witchcraft. Each of these movies explores Witchcraft through a slightly different lens. Not everyone may think all of these films are horror, but to me, they are all scary.
The Witch (2015) If you’re in the mood for Puritanical family drama, The Witch is thee film for you. Robert Eggers’ masterpiece is a favorite in the horror community. It takes place during the 1600s in New England. One of my favorite aspects of this film is the authenticity of the visuals. Cinematographer Jarin Blaschke used practicals, like actual candles, to light the scenes.
The Craft (1996) For the lover of 90s supernatural horror, The Craft is a cult classic. Four high school students come together to form a coven and grow their power. There are scenes from this movie that haunted me as a kid and still haunted me to this day.
The Blair Witch Project (1999) Though the folklore remains vague, The Blair Witch is a found-footage film that certainly belongs on this list. The story follows three young filmmakers as they venture into the Black Hills Forest to make a documentary about an urban legend.
The Old Ways (2020) Set in Mexico, The Old Ways tells the story of a journalist who travels to Veracruz in search of a story. Instead, she finds possession, witchcraft, and something terrifying. The Old Ways explores witchcraft, legend, and exorcism through the lens of ritual and ancestral magic.
Suspiria (1977) Two of my favorite sub-genres join forces in the original Suspiria, equal parts dance and witchcraft. The stunning color palette alone is worth watching.
Suspiria (2018) I loved the remake of Suspiria just as much (but in totally different ways) as the original. It has the same delicious combination of dance and covens as the original, with the added bonus of expert body horror and one of my favorite finale sequences of all time.
The Love Witch (2016) It's surreal color-scape and impossible-to-place time period pair perfectly with the craft of The Love Witch. Writer and director Anna Biller does an incredible job at creating a hilarious, bizarre, and strangely alluring film about women and love, and witches.
Practical Magic (1998) Starring dream queens Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, Practical Magic remains an iconic film for witches everywhere. Practical Magic toes the line between many genres, but its witchcraft-centric moments are truly horrifying (especially for younger audiences).
This is in no way an exhaustive list of every horror film out there featuring witches, but it’s a great place to start. Let me know what I missed!