Witches are often stereotyped as the villains, with green skin and a hunger for small children, having pledged their allegiance to the devil. However, as witchcraft has become more and more mainstream, we’ve learned that witchcraft isn’t really like that. So if you’re looking to host a witchy movie marathon this October, where the witchcraft is actually accurate, look no further! Here are the 8 most accurate witchy movies to watch this October.
The Wicker Man (1973)
The Wicker Man takes place on an island off of Scotland and revolves around the disappearance of a young girl. One policeman searches in vain for her, all whilst being gaslighted by the colorful Pagan townspeople.
Type of Witchcraft: Paganism
Its paganism gone bad, but it’s oh so fun to watch. It takes place during the Pagan holiday Beltane, and like any good Pagan holiday there is a lot of nudity, singing and jumping over bonfires. Not to mention, Christopher Lee dons a delightful lace front wig.
Accuracy: 90%
This classic film hits pretty darn close to the mark when it comes to accuracy.
There’s also a 2006 remake starring Nicholas Cage that is worth watching to see his iconic delivery of the line, “not the bees!”
The Love Witch (2016)
This beautiful, colorful film follows Elaine, a recently widowed witch who wants nothing more than to be in love. After a divorce she moves to northern California and begins concocting potions and casting love spells. Her pursuit of love is lethal, leaving a trail of more than just broken hearts behind her.
Type of Witchcraft: Wicca
Elaine reads tarot cards, crafts spells and potions and even makes a witch’s jar with urine and a used tampon. We see glimpses of certain magickal practices and celebrations that harken to a more religious practice such as Wicca.
Accuracy: 85%
Not only is it a very accurate portrayal of witchcraft, but it really nails the 1970s aesthetic. It’s truly a gorgeous movie!
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Season of the Witch (1973), also known as Hungry Wives
The 70s vibes and the blue eyeshadow continue in Season of the Witch, a movie about Marion, a bored housewife who gets into witchcraft after meeting a tarot reader. A mixture of curiosity and fear drive her towards learning more and ultimately unending her life.
Type of Witchcraft: Wicca
When witchcraft came into the West in the 1950s Wicca was the popular modality, so it’s unsurprising that so many films depict witchcraft as such.
Accuracy: 70%
It’s groovy, it’s sexy, and it’s the reason we have the song Season of the Witch written for the film.
A Dark Song (2016)
A Dark Song is a story about a woman who hires an esoteric practitioner to help her perform an elaborate ritual. The two have a strained and complicated relationship as they spend months locked up with each other in the house performing rites. This one does get scary in the end, so don’t watch it at night if you’re easily spooked!
Type of Witchcraft: Chaos Magick and Ceremonial Magick
The spell work is reminiscent of ceremonial magick in its grandiose and complicated nature, but the movie mentions gnosis as the main form of magick they are working, which is the foundation of chaos magick.
Accuracy: 70%
While most of the magick is fabricated and exaggerated, you can tell that there was some honest research done into magick in order for it to feel authentic.
The VVitch (2015)
The VVitch follows an American Puritan family in the 1630s as their lives devolve. The family blames their eldest daughter for the various ill omens, eventually believing her to be a witch. This film is to thank for the iconic line, “wouldst thou like to live deliciously?”
Type of Witchcraft: Christian Witchery
Heinrich Kramer, a catholic, wrote the famous Malleus Maleficarum in the 15th century outlining how to spot and rid the world of witches. The stuff he made up for that book caused the witch trials and it’s the kind of witchcraft that is portrayed in this film.
Accuracy: 50%
Despite not being very accurate, this one ultimately made the list because of the truism of how feeling powerless over one’s circumstances in life is what draws someone to witchcraft.
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The Skeleton Key (2005)
Taking place in New Orleans, Caroline takes a job in an old plantation helping to take care of Ben, an elderly man who’s suffered a stroke. She soon begins to uncover more about the history house, making her question if Ben’s illness is what it seems.
Type of Witchcraft: Hoodoo
Hoodoo is an African American spiritual practice, created by enslaved people in the South.
Accuracy: 65%
It’s a brief and spooky introduction into hoodoo, mainly focusing on brick dust and candles.
Content warning: there is a flash back scene with a brief depiction of a lynching.
The Craft (1996)
The Craft follows four high school friends as they perform rituals, calling upon the corners and the elements, to fix their troubles and grant them wishes. Getting what you want can turn sour, and the girls learn the hard way that magick is not a toy.
Type of Witchcraft: Earth Magick
The focus in the film is the need for four witches in their circle, one for each of the “corners” (the four elements: water, earth, air and fire).
Accuracy: 90%
Real witches were consulted for the making of this film and it shows. While their abilities are intensified for entertainment purposes, everything the teenage girls do in the film is rooted in real practices.
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Practical Magic (1998)
Practical Magic follows the lives of the Owen’s sisters as they navigate being witches from a cursed family line. The curse leaves them orphaned at a young age and doomed to have all their loves end tragically. As the sisters try to cover up the body of a dead ex boyfriend, they win over the love of their town and the police officer looking for him.
Type of Witchcraft: Practical Magic (of course)
This film is known for the famous and beloved line, “There are some things I know for certain: always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.“
Accuracy: 99%
Wildly heralded as the most accurate portrayal of witchcraft in film, this feel good movie is a seasonal must watch.
Images and film stills © their respective studios. Used for illustrative and commentary purposes only.
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