The Scariest Fictional Witches in Horror and Fantasy Films

Originally published on October 6, 2026. This article lists 6 of the scariest fictional witches in horror and fantasy films. Check out our Spooktacular event page for even more spooky news and fun.

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What makes a witch? Usually, these characters are women with magical powers. “Bad” witches use their magic for selfish reasons or to accomplish evil deeds. Either their dark powers corrupt them, or they corrupt a magic that inherently has no moral value. Witches are often enemies of children, as described in many fairytales like Hansel and Gretel and more. And in pop culture, witches are sometimes older women — “hags” who vie for eternal beauty by bathing in the blood of virgins and tricking men into giving up their hearts or youthful flesh.

The misogyny surrounding this archetype is staggering. Because, in all honesty, there are so many better things to do with witch characters. Plus, when they aren’t confined to the male gaze or static personality traits, these witches blossom into fully-fledged villains made for the big screen. When we explore fear outside the idea of an unattractive woman, the possibilities are endless. Fortunately, the following films have provided us with dynamic, dastardly, and dangerous witches.

Below, meet the scariest fictional witches from horror and fantasy movies.

Scariest Fictional Witches in Film:

• Circe
• Queen Bavmorda
• Bellatrix Lestrange
• Aunt Gladys
• Nancy Downs
• Other Mother

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Circe

• Film: The Odyssey
• Release Year: 2026
• Played By: Samantha Morton
• Famous Quote: “Go back to your disguises.”

Circe is one of the original witches — outside of folklore and mythology, of course. She has a rich and varied history. For the purposes of this article, however, we’ll focus on her role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. In his film, Circe lives alone on an island populated with exotic and common animals alike. When hungry soldiers seek shelter and a meal, Circe offers her hospitality … but there’s a catch. Mistrusting of men because of their beastly nature, she uses her magic to sculpt them into swine.

The exquisitely upsetting body horror during that scene is a wonder to behold. Accomplished practically, it propels viewers into both her hateful mindset as well as the soldiers’ gut-wrenching fear. That thrilling fear continues as Circe attempts to feed Odysseus his own men, encouraging him to slaughter one for supper. Although Circe eventually helps the soldiers on their journey, most of her screen time with them is absolutely petrifying to witness.

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Queen Bavmorda

• Film: Willow
• Release Year: 1988
• Played By: Jean Marsh
• Famous Quote: “You’re no sorcerer!”

Queen Bavmorda has no morals or scruples. When a prophecy predicts the birth of a child who will end Bavmorda’s reign of terror, Bavmorda rounds up all the pregnant women in the kingdom. She intends to sacrifice the baby during a ritual, which will promote Bavmorda’s longevity as well as increase her powers. Throughout Willow, this sorceress demonstrates she has a cold heart and a clever, twisted way of using her dark magic.

In fact, one of Bavmorda’s scariest scenes is actually a reference to Homer’s Odyssey. Standing on the castle wall, Bavmorda transfigures the rebel army — including her own daughter, Sorsha — into pigs. Does that sound familiar? The sequence is truly terrifying to behold. Even more so is Bavmorda’s complete lack of remorse in hurting Princess Sorsha. After all, part of what makes a character scary is their emotional detachment and how they relish other people’s suffering.

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Bellatrix Lestrange

• Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Release Year: 2007
• Played By: Helena Bonham Carter
• Famous Quote: “I killed Sirius Black!”

Bellatrix Lestrange is insane. But that isn’t why she’s evil. Her erratic mental health just adds another layer to her unpredictable nature. Gleefully witnessing (and causing) other people’s suffering, Bellatrix lives to serve Lord Voldemort. She’s fine torturing other witches and wizards if they don’t meet her standards for magic wielders. That is, Bellatrix also believes in Pure Blood supremacy. Much of her violence comes from her hatred of Muggle-borns, as demonstrated when she carves a hateful slur into Hermione Granger’s arm.

Of course, Bellatrix fits a longstanding trope of a sexy, sinister witch with a signature cackle. She rides a broom, wears a corset, and kills with ease and pleasure alike. Her devotion to the Dark Lord is intriguing, though. Additionally, it makes her more of a well-rounded character in Harry Potter, since she isn’t exclusively some egotistical, vapid girl-child or femme fatale.

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Aunt Gladys

• Film: Weapons
• Release Year: 2025
• Played By: Amy Madigan
• Famous Quote: “I can make them eat each other if I want to. Do I want to, Alex?”

Aunt Gladys both reinforces and eschews typical witch stereotypes. Her motivation is quite classic; stricken with a terminal illness, she uses youthful life forces in order to remain alive. Yet her design is far more vibrant than expected. In pop culture, witches are usually associated with dark color palettes that use shades of green, black, and gray. Weapons subverts expectations with clownish pops of purple, ravishing reds, and bright blues. Gladys wears chunky jewelry and a tracksuit. Suddenly, audiences feel a little bad for thinking an odd older lady is as off-putting as she is.

Well, don’t feel too bad. Gladys controls people using a mysterious potion/spell that involves blood, personal belongings, and water. Its execution is quite simple. The results are anything but. With her powers, Gladys can completely remove someone’s personality until they are a shell of themselves, mindlessly following her orders until she discards them. She is insidious and invasive, and not to be underestimated.

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Nancy Downs

• Film: The Craft
• Release Year: 1996
• Played By: Fairuza Balk
• Famous Quote: “Jealous? You don’t even exist to me!”

Nancy is the youngest witch on our list. In The Craft, she leads her coven despite not having powers of her own before Sarah Bailey arrives. A product of a broken home and a difficult life, Nancy finds solace in dark magic, spells, and the power they give her over others. She enjoys scaring people. Admittedly, a lot of goth, emo, and alt kids enjoy the discomfort they cause just by looking the way they do. That’s not enough for Nancy. She has to really, sincerely freak her friends and family out.

This means Nancy’s internal turmoil has a body count. After bargaining with the spirit Manon, Nancy’s behavior becomes increasingly reckless and her emotions turn volatile. The true tragedy is that she is a villain of her own choosing, her own undoing. In the end, it even drives her mad. Hospitals can’t handle witches — but they can handle a crazy teenager.

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Other Mother

• Film: Coraline
• Release Year: 2009
• Played By: Teri Hatcher
• Famous Quote: “Black is traditional.”

Also known as the Beldam, this demonic fae entity is a witch, a spirit, a skeleton, a spider… Basically, she’s every monster and nightmare combined. Other Mother uses a false human-like form with button eyes in order to lure children to a different dimension. At first, the place appears idyllic, and Other Mother is kind. But then the Beldam uses her malevolent magic to shapeshift and consume a child’s flesh, trapping their soul for eternity.

In Coraline, Other Mother “improves” on Coraline’s actual mom’s appearance, giving Mel Jones shinier hair, smooth skin, and fancy makeup. As the film progresses — and the Cat clues Coraline in to the more sinister aspects of the realm — Other Mother transforms into a spindly creature. Her final form is a hybrid of a doll, arachnid, and person, with sewing needles for hands. Her witchcraft allows her total control over the world as well as her various forms.

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So, which witch is the scariest? Cast your vote — and a protection spell — at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. Plus, check out Sideshow’s Spooktacular page for frightfully festive contests, giveaways, reveals, and more! And as always, don’t forget to Let Your Witchy Sideshow.