The Witches

Name: The Witches
Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Released: August 24, 1990
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Anne Lambton, Bill Paterson, Brenda Blethyn, Charlie Potter

1990

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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The Witches

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: August 24, 1990 | PG

Starring: Anjelica Huston, Anne Lambton, Bill Paterson, Brenda Blethyn, Charlie Potter, Jane Horrocks, Jasen Fisher, Mai Zetterling, Rowan Atkinson, Sukie Smith

Summary: A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.

Director: Nicolas Roeg

Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 91 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Angeline Goreau

The wit is highly sophisticated, but there’s also action, suspense, adventure — to say nothing of the spectacular visual effects produced by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Read full review

Josh Larsen

This ranks among the most mercilessly creepy children’s films I’ve seen. Read full review

Jim Farber

From scene to scream, The Witches is good mean fun for the whole family. Read full review

Louis Jordan

At the center of Roeg’s stylistic excess is Houston, balancing effortlessly between high camp and horror. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

One of many clear advantages this funny and scary 1989 fantasy-adventure has over most Disney products is its live-action visual bravado, evident in both the stylization of the witches and the profusion of mouse-point-of-view shots. Read full review

David Sterritt

The scenes of magic and mayhem are peppered with sly surprises, and Anjelica Huston plays the wildest wicked witch since Dorothy got back from Oz. Read full review

James Berardinelli

The Witches feels like a throwaway feature rather than a fully-realized fantasy adventure. Read full review

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Kai82

Jan 2, 2022

A fantasy comedy that is surprisingly good while being also dark and scary. As child this movie impressed me. The title already gives away the premise. Witches exist but hide this fact from society. They hate all children and are always trying to kill them or trap them in something worseA fantasy comedy that is surprisingly good while being also dark and scary. As child this movie impressed me. The title already gives away the premise. Witches exist but hide this fact from society. They hate all children and are always trying to kill them or trap them in something worse like curses where you wished you were dead instead (A good example is shown in the movie with a painting). The protagonist the 8 year old boy Luke is warned about this by his grandmother Helga and has a disturbing experience. However when he has to move to England he is draw into much bigger events. I tried to keep it spoiler-free here. The story is excellent and draw me in immediately. It is scary, intense and kept me engaged through the whole story. They succeed with the atmosphere they create, remarkable cast and creativity. I recently discovered it is based on a book of the same name by Roald Dahl. Because I did not read this book I can make no assumption if it is a good adaptation. Because the movie itself is great enough on itself I would give a free pass if not. I must also praise the effects, costumes and mask. Of cause this is thanks to Jim Hanson aka Jim Hanson Productions. The witches look disturbing and really scary especially the main antagonist is nightmare fuel. I think these even age really well. The cast did an amazing job to deliver their characters and enhance the story. Lets begin with Jasen Fisher as Luke. Good child-actors are rare and he delivers a great performance that I praise. Sadly he never made a career later on in the movie business. Anjelica Huston as Eva is truly amazing. She is truly scary and a highlight. Mai Zetterling as Helga / Lukes grandmother also delivers a praiseworthy performance. The support cast is excellent too and the total performance makes this excellent. I should also praise director Nicolas Roeg and writer Allan Scott. Overall this is an interesting movie I would recommend. It is nearly forgotten but praised by most who I talked about. I recommend it for the ideas, story and scary effects. It barley mosses the 10/10 mark for me.… Expand