The Witching Hour: 13 Spellbinding Films & Series for Your October Watchlist
From ancient forest folklore to modern covens, a watchlist for the season of sorcery
By: The Lace Ledger Staff
We're positively spoiled for witches on screen this season. With Practical Magic 2 bringing the Owens sisters back and YAGA set to cast its spell later this month, there's never been a better excuse to indulge in a little cinematic sorcery.
We've revisited a few cult favourites and dug up some lesser-known gems for a watchlist that takes witchcraft in all its fascinating forms.
Baba Yaga gets a contemporary makeover in this seductive mystery series starring Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix), Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek) and Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry). When a wealthy heir disappears from a coastal town, the investigation uncovers ancient magic and some very suspicious locals. Premiering October 23 on Crave.
For a behind-the-scenes look, check out our interview with YAGA costume designer Sarah Runnalls.
Practical Magic (1998) & Practical Magic 2 (2026)
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as the Owens sisters in the long-awaited sequel to the beloved 1998 cult classic. With inherited magical gifts and a family curse that makes falling in love a dangerous proposition, the Owens women have their fair share of challenges. At least they get to face them in one of cinema's most enviable Victorian houses. Come for the witchcraft, stay for the midnight margaritas.
The Witch (2015)
Before Anya Taylor-Joy became Hollywood royalty, she made her feature-film debut in Robert Eggers' acclaimed folk-horror nightmare. Set in 1630s New England, The VVitch follows a Puritan family whose religious paranoia spirals as sinister forces emerge from the surrounding woods. Fair warning: this one is genuinely scary.
The Craft (1996)
Before witchcraft took Etsy + #WitchTok by storm, Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell and Rachel True were raising holy hell in Catholic school uniforms. This '90s cult classic follows four teenage outsiders who form a coven, only to discover that supernatural power comes with some serious consequences. Nancy Downs remains the patron saint of goth girls with an attitude problem.
Mayfair Witches (2023–Present)
Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus) stars as a neurosurgeon who discovers she's the heir to a powerful dynasty of witches in this supernatural drama based on Anne Rice's bestselling novels. Set against the sumptuous backdrop of New Orleans, the series serves up Southern Gothic glamour with a generous helping of family dysfunction.
Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse (2017)
Set in the Austrian Alps during the 15th century, this deeply disturbing folk-horror film follows an isolated goatherd whose neighbours suspect her of witchcraft. With its haunting mountain landscapes and slow descent into madness, Hagazussa is a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the darker origins of witch folklore. Be warned: this one is seriously unsettling.
The Love Witch (2016)
Written and directed by Anna Biller, this Technicolor cult favourite stars Samantha Robinson as Elaine, a glamorous modern-day witch whose love potions leave a trail of unfortunate suitors. With its sumptuous 1960s-inspired costumes and camp sensibility, The Love Witch is a feminist satire dressed for a very fabulous funeral.
You Won't Be Alone (2022)
Witchcraft gets a surprisingly tender treatment in this Macedonian folk-horror film starring Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Set in a remote 19th-century village, the story follows a young shapeshifting witch who assumes the identities of local villagers to experience life as a human. Beautifully strange and occasionally gruesome, it's a fascinating exploration of womanhood, loneliness and belonging.
The Lords of Salem (2013)
Rob Zombie trades his usual blood-soaked chaos for a slow-burning supernatural nightmare starring Sheri Moon Zombie as a Salem radio DJ who receives a mysterious record with some very unfortunate consequences. Drawing on the town's infamous witch trials, the film imagines a coven seeking revenge centuries after their executions.
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer star as three small-town women who unknowingly summon the devil himself, played with outrageous charm by Jack Nicholson. Their newfound powers make for a wickedly entertaining supernatural comedy about female friendship and the trouble with men. With four Hollywood heavyweights and two Academy Award nominations, this one's a light-hearted classic.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Three student filmmakers venture into the Maryland woods to investigate a local witch legend and discover that some stories are best left alone. Made on a shoestring budget, this found-footage phenomenon became one of the most profitable independent films in history and helped redefine modern horror. Twenty-seven years later, a few sticks tied together are still enough to make us nervous.
Bewitched (1964–1972)
Elizabeth Montgomery made domestic witchcraft look effortless as Samantha Stephens, a suburban housewife attempting to live a perfectly ordinary mortal life despite her magical abilities and delightfully meddlesome family. This Emmy Award-winning sitcom became a television classic, giving generations of viewers a soft spot for witches with impeccable manners and a talent for getting their husbands into trouble. And that nose twitch? Iconic.
There's plenty here to satisfy every kind of witchcraft enthusiast, from those who prefer their magic with a little romance to those who like their folklore genuinely frightening. Revisit an old favourite or take a chance on something unfamiliar. You might even find yourself rooting for the witch.
Which films are you adding to your list?
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