A Storm of Witches: Danielle Ellison’s Ultimate List of Witches

When I was a kid, I loved witches—especially in TV shows and movies with witches. I had this crazy imagination and when we’d play in my grandma’s basement, I pretended that I’d found magical items down there. There was this hideous ruby broach that I found once, and I kept it because when I put it on, it gave me magic powers.

There was even a period when I was seven or eight where I had this reoccurring dream that I was a witch. I can still vividly remember it.

Near my grandma’s house there was a creepy house on the top of this hill with no neighbors around and three sisters lived there. We were never, ever allowed to go there. So in my dream, I had on my broach and I went to that house selling something. They let me in, I found out I was a witch, like them, and they taught me how to use my powers. It was one of those dreams that start at the same place and go just a little bit farther each night…I can’t remember how it ended, but I remember the rest of it.

I blame part of my imagination on my love of television, which has existed as long as I can remember. To celebrate STORM, and share my love of witches, here are my favorite witch TV shows, movies and some books, in no particular order:

Hocus Pocus

This is a classic. I still watch it every single Halloween and still laugh and cry like I did as a kid. There’s no way it would not be on this list!

The Craft

I was definitely way too young to watch this, but I loved witches. Needless to say it’s creepy but we (like all young girls) tried “light as a feather, stiff as a board” at every sleepover for years.

Charmed

It has three witches, great demons, awesome magic, and I freaking loved Piper. I own all of these on DVD. 🙂

Bewitched

I used to love Samantha, and I’d watch this on Nick-at-Nite at my grandparents house. I think I’ve seen almost every episode at least one. (Second Darrin was my favorite)

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Because Melissa Joan Hart was my childhood with Clarissa Explains It All and then Sabrina and I think everyone wanted to be her. I know I did—and I still don’t know: Josh or Harvey!

Macbeth

I read this in junior high, and it’s still one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I love dark and creepy stuff I guess!

Practical Magic

Yes! I loved this as a youngster (and now!) because I adored everything Sandra Bullock. I love everything about it.

Harry Potter

I don’t think this needs a reason.

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Because Miyazaki is brilliant. I have strong memories of watching this one with my cousins. I swear, I thought I could be a witch and just get magic powers at any moment if I wanted it hard enough.