If you loved
The Witches
Nicolas Roeg · Film · 1990
What hooked you in The Witches was the way seemingly normal, everyday settings harbor terrifying, supernatural secrets hiding in plain sight.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Roald Dahl's The Witches
Film · 2020
Books on the same thread
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Orphanhood, Friendship.
Like The Witches, this story follows a young boy discovering a hidden world of magic, navigating a dangerous environment where he must prove his worth against powerful, malevolent forces.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Ray Bradbury · Book · 1962
Shares 2 threads with The Witches: Good vs Evil, Dark Fantasy.
If the dark atmosphere of The Witches kept you on edge, you will appreciate this tale of boys confronting a sinister, encroaching evil hidden within a mundane setting.
Raven's Gate
Anthony Horowitz · Book · 2006
Shares 3 threads with The Witches: Good vs Evil, British Horror, Dark Fantasy.
This story mirrors the unsettling British horror found in The Witches, focusing on a young boy who uncovers a terrifying, ancient plot lurking behind the facade of ordinary village life.
Lasher
Anne Rice · Book · 1993
Shares a thread with The Witches: Good vs Evil.
For those who enjoyed the coven dynamics in The Witches, this exploration of a powerful witch queen and her dark family secrets provides a more mature, gothic take on witchcraft.
Series on the same thread
The Witcher
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with The Witches: Dark Fantasy.
Just as The Witches pits a child against monstrous beings, this series features a protagonist navigating a world where the most dangerous threats are often the ones hiding in plain sight.
Bewitched
Sol Saks · Series · 1964
Explores: Secret Identity, Inter-generational Conflict, Concealed Powers.
While lighter in tone than The Witches, this show explores the same fascination with secret witch identities and the constant, comedic effort required to hide magical powers from the unsuspecting public.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa · Series · 2018
Shares 2 threads with The Witches: Good vs Evil, Dark fantasy.
If the duality of the witches in The Witches intrigued you, you will enjoy this dark coming-of-age story about a young girl balancing her normal life with a hidden legacy of witchcraft.
Twin Peaks
Mark Frost · Series · 1990
Shares a thread with The Witches: Good vs Evil.
This series captures the same sense of dread found in The Witches, revealing that even a quiet, small town can mask a deeply disturbing web of mystery and supernatural evil.
Podcasts on the same thread
Monsters Among Us
Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Unexplained Phenomena, First-hand Testimony, Atmospheric Horror.
Much like the unsettling encounters in The Witches, this podcast focuses on authentic, chilling experiences with the unknown, grounding its horror in the personal, first-hand testimonies of those who witnessed it.
Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cultural origins, archetypal storytelling, human condition.
If the folkloric elements of The Witches sparked your curiosity, this collection of myths and legends provides a deeper look at the archetypal storytelling that informs such classic tales of evil.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Witches from 1990 the same story as the 2020 version?
Both the 1990 film directed by Nicolas Roeg and the 2020 adaptation are based on the same source material by Roald Dahl. Each film follows the story of a young boy and his grandmother who discover a convention of witches plotting to turn children into mice.
Should I watch The Witches 1990 or 2020 first?
Since both movies are adaptations of the same book, there is no required viewing order. You can choose to watch the 1990 version by Nicolas Roeg or the 2020 version based on your preference for different cinematic styles or the specific portrayal of the Grand High Witch.
What is the main plot of The Witches?
In The Witches, a young boy named Luke and his grandmother go on vacation and discover that their hotel is hosting an international witch convention. The Grand High Witch reveals a plan to turn all children into mice, and Luke must attempt to stop them.
Does The Witches involve the Grand High Witch?
Yes, the Grand High Witch is a central character in The Witches. She is the leader who unveils the master plan to turn all children into mice during the convention held at the hotel where Luke and his grandmother are staying.