10 Witch Horror Movies To Watch If You Enjoy Hokum (#1 Is A Must Watch)

Witches are among the most famous characters in traditional stories, and there are many tales about what they can do, their magical practices, and their powers. Their influence on actual historical events is also significant, setting them apart from other figures in folklore. Witches also appear in popular horror movies, like the new film, Hokum.

Witches are popular in movies, which isn’t surprising given their importance in culture. They’re often portrayed in many different ways – from the classic image of witches flying on broomsticks and brewing potions, to more modern takes like the teen witch Sabrina and her talking cat.

Movies like Hocus Pocus often use witches’ powers for comedic effect, but other films portray those abilities in a much more serious light. The mysterious nature of witches and the occult also makes them a natural fit for scary, horror-filled stories.

Witches have long been a popular subject in horror films. While some movies stick to classic witch stereotypes and magical themes, others build upon existing myths or explore the darker side of the occult, offering fresh and unique takes on the genre.

Hokum is a truly frightening take on witches and traditional folklore. Movies like it are rare, but if you enjoy stories about witches or the occult, there are many other films to choose from.

This list has horror movies for any mood. From witch stories with a touch of teen drama to groundbreaking films that defined a whole style of horror, here’s a collection of witch movies that any fan of spooky fun will love.

10. The Craft (1996)

While The Craft isn’t the scariest movie around, it’s still a beloved classic about witchcraft. The film features a fantastic cast, including Robin Tunney as Sarah, a newcomer to town who has trouble finding her place.

Sarah is a unique student who becomes friends with three girls who claim to be witches. Together, they discover how to use magical abilities. But as they learn, disagreements start to surface because each girl wants to use magic for different reasons.

While The Craft features some frightening scenes, it’s also a story about how quickly power can corrupt. The actresses – Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, and Rachel True – have fantastic chemistry as they portray a group of friends who discover and learn to use magical abilities together.

9. Fear Street: Part Three – 1666 (2021)

Unlike the other films on this list, Fear Street: Part Three – 1666 is part of a larger, interconnected story told across four movies. The first three films weave together events from different time periods, and all four are available exclusively on Netflix.

The final movie in the trilogy delves into the history of Shadyside, explaining why its citizens consistently face hardship compared to those in nearby Sunnyvale. The story jumps between 1666, a time of intense fear surrounding witchcraft and the supernatural, and the 1990s, ultimately bringing the trilogy’s storyline to a close.

Like American Horror Story, the third Fear Street movie features many of the same actors playing different roles. I’m trying not to give away any spoilers, but if you like slasher films and stories about witches, you should definitely watch the Fear Street movies in order.

8. Gretel & Hansel (2020)

The tale of Hansel and Gretel is a well-known fairy story about a brother and sister who find a witch’s house while lost in the woods. The movie Gretel & Hansel is based on this classic story, expanding it into a longer, scary, and fantastical horror film.

Those familiar with the classic story will know what happens next, but Gretel and Hansel venture into a dark forest hoping to find work and a safe place to stay. They meet a peculiar woman who offers them shelter, but she’s not who she seems.

This new take on Hansel & Gretel isn’t a simple retelling of the familiar story. It expands on the original, creating a visually stunning and unsettling atmosphere that relies more on building suspense than sudden shocks.

7. Pyewacket (2017)

Pyewacket features Nicole Muñoz as Leah, a troubled teen struggling with a difficult relationship with her mother. After the death of her father, things get even harder when her mom decides to move them to a new home.

Leah starts hanging out with a group of teenagers who are really into the occult. This causes increasing conflict with her mother, and, without realizing the danger, Leah performs a ritual in the woods that accidentally summons a frightening, demonic creature named Pyewacket.

I was really captivated by Pyewacket – it doesn’t feel like your typical witch film, but it definitely has that same unsettling atmosphere as so many others I love. The story follows Leah, who attempts a really old ritual, and things quickly spiral out of control. She realizes she’s summoned something powerful and dangerous, and she desperately tries to undo it before it destroys her family. It’s a truly gripping watch!

6. Suspiria (2018)

Suspiria is a gripping psychological thriller centered around a group of witches. Set in the 1970s, the film features Dakota Johnson as Susie, a young woman training to be a dancer.

Susie begins training at the prestigious Markos Dance Academy, a place many professional dancers aspire to attend. However, she and the other students soon realize something isn’t right. When one student disappears unexpectedly, rumors begin to circulate quickly.

Suspiria is a remake of a classic film from the 1970s with the same title. While they tell a similar story, the two movies are very different in how they present it. The 2018 version is significantly more intense and creates a stronger mood. However, both films are well-made, and if you enjoy one, chances are you’ll enjoy the other.

5. The Lords Of Salem (2012)

Rob Zombie directed The Lords of Salem, which features Sheri Moon Zombie as Heidi, a radio DJ who receives a mysterious record from a band named ‘The Lords’.

Heidi plays the record on air, and the music deeply affects her and the women in Salem. Meanwhile, historian Francis (Bruce Davison) begins to uncover unsettling connections between the band and historical accounts of witchcraft from hundreds of years earlier.

You know, as a big Rob Zombie fan, I found The Lords of Salem to be a really different experience from his other films. It’s not about jump scares and gore; it’s a slow, creeping kind of horror. It builds up a really unsettling atmosphere with disturbing visuals, and it feels like a totally unique take on those classic occult horror stories.

4. Hagazussa (2017)

Hagazussa is a German horror film taking place in the Austrian Alps during the 15th century. It doesn’t feature much dialogue – subtitles are recommended – but it’s a uniquely creative and compelling portrayal of witches and traditional folklore, making it a must-see.

I was completely drawn into the story of Albrun, played by Aleksandra Cwen. She lives all by herself in a little house, pretty much on the outskirts of town, and it’s heartbreaking. The villagers all think her mother was a witch, so they give her a wide berth – they avoid her whenever they can. It really sets a lonely and eerie mood.

Life in the Alps is harsh, and the film Hagazussa delves into the unraveling mind of a woman named Albrun. It leaves you wondering if the unsettling events she experiences are products of her imagination or something truly evil. Hagazussa is a deliberately slow and atmospheric psychological drama that can be deeply affecting if you appreciate its unhurried pace.

3. The Wretched (2019)

Similar to the film Hokum, The Wretched reimagines classic folklore and witchcraft for a modern audience. It centers on Ben, played by John-Paul Howard, a teenager who moves in with his father in a small town while his parents sort out their problems.

Ben notices odd things happening around town and starts to suspect his neighbor might be connected. However, no one else seems to share his concerns, and it’s as if people are losing their memories of those around them, making it hard for anyone to believe what Ben says.

The Wretched delivers a fresh and unsettling take on classic witch tales and folklore. While it has a few startling moments, the movie truly builds tension through a growing sense of dread.

2. The Witch (2015)

Set in 1630s New England, The Witch (also called The VVitch) tells the story of a family living on the outskirts of town. As fear and belief in witchcraft are widespread, the family is left to grapple with strange and unsettling events on their own.

As a horror fan, I was completely gripped by this film. It starts with a truly unsettling event – a baby goes missing in the woods, and things quickly spiral out of control for this one family. The oldest daughter, Thomasin, played brilliantly by Anya Taylor-Joy, really bears the weight of everyone’s pain and frustration. But what’s so clever is that it’s not just a simple story; there’s this growing sense that something truly sinister is at play on the farm, and the influence of witchcraft is creeping into every corner of their lives. It’s a really atmospheric and disturbing movie!

The Witch is a dark and unsettling film about the terrors of witchcraft and how it affects a remote farm. It’s filled with disturbing visuals and builds suspense through atmosphere rather than jump scares.

1. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

As a horror fan, I have to say The Blair Witch Project really stuck with me. It’s easily one of the scariest witch-themed horror movies out there, and its impact on the genre is huge. While not the very first to use the ‘found footage’ style, it absolutely perfected it. What makes it so effective is that it throws you right into the action, making you feel like you’re experiencing the terror alongside the characters – it’s like you’re holding the camera yourself!

If you enjoy found-footage films or stories about witches, you absolutely have to see this movie. It follows a group of students who go into the Maryland Forest to investigate the local legend of the Blair Witch.

The group spends the night in the woods and soon discovers they’re dealing with something supernatural and beyond their understanding. They get completely lost, and begin finding disturbing, handmade figures near their campsite. Some viewers might find The Blair Witch Project difficult to watch because the camera work is very shaky. While many newer found-footage movies smooth out the camera movements, this film’s roughness actually makes it feel more realistic and unsettling.

What really struck me about this film is how believable the actors are – they’re not big names, and that actually works in its favor. You really feel like you’re watching real people trying to figure things out, and their relationships with each other feel totally authentic and easy to connect with.

2026-05-03 23:02