The Witches

1990, Kids & family/Fantasy, 1h 31m

44 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

With a deliciously wicked performance from Angelica Huston and imaginative puppetry by Jim Henson's creature shop, Nicolas Roeg's dark and witty movie captures the spirit of Roald Dahl's writing like few other adaptations. Read critic reviews

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The Witches Photos

The Witches (1990)

The Witches (1990)

The Witches (1990)

The Witches (1990)

The Witches (1990)

The Witches (1990)

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Movie Info

While staying at a hotel in England with his grandmother, Helga (Mai Zetterling), young Luke (Jasen Fisher) inadvertently spies on a convention of witches. The Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston) reveals a plan to turn all children into mice through a magical formula. When they find that Luke has overheard, the witches test the formula on him. Now, with the help of Helga and the hotel manager, Mr. Stringer (Rowan Atkinson), Luke the mouse must fight back against the witches.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Kids & family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language:

English
Director:

Nicolas Roeg
Producer:

Mark Shivas
Writer:

Allan Scott, Roald Dahl
Release Date (Theaters):

Feb 16, 1990 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Jun 22, 1999
Box Office (Gross USA):

$8.7M
Runtime:

1h 31m
Distributor:

Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Sound Mix:

Dolby, Surround

Cast & Crew

Anjelica Huston
Miss Eva Ernst, Grand High Witch

Mai Zetterling
Helga

Jasen Fisher
Luke

Rowan Atkinson
Mr. Stringer

Bill Paterson
Mr. Jenkins

Brenda Blethyn
Mrs. Jenkins

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for The Witches

Hear Us Out: Roald Dahl’s The Witches Is the Scariest Kids’ Movie Ever Made

The House with a Clock in Its Walls Might be a Little Too Creepy for Young Kids

Critic Reviews for The Witches

All Critics (44) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (3)

Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews

Full Review… Michael Upchurch Seattle Times

Full Review… Michael Wilmington Los Angeles Times

Full Review… Ada Calhoun Austin Chronicle

Full Review… Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer

Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune

Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review

Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins

Full Review… Aaron Neuwirth We Live Entertainment

Full Review… Rick Chatenever Santa Cruz Sentinel

Full Review… Jeff Simon Buffalo News

Full Review… Steve Persall Tampa Bay Times

View All Critic Reviews (44)

Audience Reviews for The Witches

Oct 26, 2020

Despite the changed ending this remains one the most faithful Dahl adaptations in tone and execution. Those terrific make-up effects still hold up.

Alec B Super Reviewer
Jun 03, 2016

This is the kind of kid's movie we need to start making again moving forward.

Gimly M Super Reviewer
May 13, 2016

I don't understand the high rating most reviewers give this movie. It is a very simple story - witches are bad and kill little children - some kid is smart/lucky enough to kill witches.

Red L Super Reviewer
Jan 17, 2013

Anjelica Huston makes the perfect witch and has played it again..and again...and again..and she is delightful. She really brings the menace here and you kind of hope that all the kiddies are turned into mice but alas tis not to be.

John B Super Reviewer

See All Audience reviews