Overview
A young boy discovers a sinister plot against children while on vacation with his grandmother.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- wicked
- eerie
- witty
- family movie night
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a dark, witty, imaginative Roald Dahl adaptation elevated by Anjelica Huston's villainous performance and Jim Henson's creature work.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Luke is turned into a white mouse after discovering the witches' plan, and must continue the fight from a radically altered body.
Jim Henson's creature shop supplies the witches' grotesque designs and the film's memorable mouse effects.
Luke's relationship with his grandmother Helga gives him knowledge of witches, protection, and a partner in resisting them.
The seaside hotel appears to be a holiday setting while secretly hosting the witches' organized plot against England's children.
Films like The Witches, and why
The Dark Crystal
darkly whimsical children's fantasy, eccentric practical creatures, and a resourceful young protagonist confronting supernatural villains
Labyrinth
family-oriented fantasy horror with imaginative puppetry, ominous magic, and a child facing genuinely threatening forces
Coraline
witty, macabre children's fantasy combining practical creature effects, transformation, and courage against monstrous adults
Movie Details
- Director
- Nicolas Roeg
- Release Date
- 1990-05-25
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1425)
Cast
- Jasen Fisher
- Mai Zetterling
- Anjelica Huston
- Charlie Potter
- Rowan Atkinson
- Bill Paterson
- Brenda Blethyn
- Jane Horrocks
- Nora Connolly
- Rose English
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Witches about?
- A brave boy turned into a mouse must outwit a coven of witches plotting to eliminate England’s children.
- What is The Witches like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Witches as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Witches violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Witches as mild.
- What did critics think of The Witches?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a dark, witty, imaginative Roald Dahl adaptation elevated by Anjelica Huston's villainous performance and Jim Henson's creature work.
- Which films are like The Witches?
- Films with a similar feel include The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Coraline.
- How long is The Witches?
- The Witches runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Witches?
- In United States, The Witches is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
