Entertainment
16 Of The Best Witchy TV Shows That’ll Have You Feeling Totally Magical
There's something so magical about anything to do with, well, magic! Especially when it comes to the witchier side of things. There is literally never a bad time to invite some witchy magic into your life, and TV makes sure there is always something witchy on-screen to indulge in. From comedic spins on witchcraft and wizardry to scarier shows, there's something for every magic lover out there. And we're pretty sure more than a few of them are going to make you want to buy a pointy hat, wand, and broomstick yourself!
The best thing about TV witches? Most of them are unabashedly strong, independent women. And that's an example we can all appreciate. In fact, many of the most feminist women on TV are witches! There's nothing better than a badass woman who can whoop you with a swish of her wrist! So let's all join a coven ASAP.
Once Upon a Time
The best part about the witches on this show? They're all famed fairytale witches! Not only is the main character Regina (Lana Parilla) the Evil Queen-turned-Good Queen witch of fairytale lore, but she's surrounded by some of the most famed witches in history. There's the Wicked Witch of the West Zelena (Rebecca Mader), Maleficient (Kristen Bauer van Straten), and Glinda (Sunny Mabrey) — just to name a few. These iconic witches (yeah, we said it) jump from the pages of the stories they originated in to light up our TV screens and it's amazing. They're fierce, fabulous, and show no one is beyond redemption!
Bewitched
This is the OG witch story on TV. Darrin (Dick York) thinks he's the luckiest man alive when he marries Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) — then he finds out she's a witch! With the twitch of her nose she can perform amazing things, and if we're being honest, it's our fave way of doing magic we've ever seen! Although she vows to be a typical suburban housewife... things don't always go as planned. Magic finds a way of invading their life, and Samantha just can't manage to be boring. At a time on TV when most women were relegated to boring, housewife roles, Samantha was a breath of fresh air as a woman who could do something her husband couldn't even dream of!
Game of Thrones
The witches on this show aren't fun and cute. They're actually pretty ominous! Let's take Red Witch Melisandre (Carice van Houten), a frequent bearer of the news that the night is full of terrors and decrees that children need to be burned at the stake. She's not only a pretty formidable witch, she's also hella old. Remember that super weird scene that revealed her true form is one of an elderly lady? Yeah. Then there's Mirra Maz Duur (Mia Soteriou), the witch who betrayed Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) by cursing her husband, killing her child, and basically guaranteeing she'll never have kids. But the two women are arguably some of the strongest on a series full of strong people. The things they have set in motion through their witchy ways have impacted the entire series and everyone in Westeros.
Merlin
Sure, Merlin (Colin Morgan) is technically a wizard but he's practicing witchcraft so we'll rank him among the witches! The show follows a fictional version of the Melin of Arthurian Legend, taking tons of liberties with the old tales while staying true to their traditions. The show follows Merlin in a time where magic is outlawed so he must develop his power, and create Camelot, in secret. It's full of fun history (shout out to my history nerds!) while taking more than enough liberties to ensure it's super entertaining!
Magic for Humans
Witchcraft isn't only relegated to fictional TV shows — there is plenty of "real" magic to go around! Magic for Humans is one part reality show, one part street magic, and one part comedy as Justin Willman dazzles with hilarious gags that people see and still can't believe. It's one of the only "real" magic shows on TV, and the only one on this list that nails the more enchanting side to witchy magic. It isn't all Big Bads and cutesy magic, sometimes real-life magic is spellbinding all on its own.
Eastwick
The Witches of Eastwick is one of the most famed novels about witches of all time. So , of course, they had to make a TV series about it! The series follows three housewives who are bored with their lives and wish for something more. Soon they learn of their secret witchy talents which develop differently for each woman. There's a clairvoyant, one who can control the elements, and one with hypnotic ability. All super useful powers we wish we had! Watching the ladies go from a boring suburban existence to an exciting magical one makes us so jelly!
The Vampire Diaries
Witches always got the worst treatment on The Vampire Diaires, but they were always the fiercest characters! Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham) would do anything and everything for her friends, and it even meant near-death experiences on the reg. She used her powers to save and protect those around her no matter the cost. She came from a long line of selfless witches, none of whom got their proper due, if you ask us! Without the Bennett witches, y'all would be dead! So you should rightfully be bowing down to them.
The Originals
It's only appropriate that a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries have witches of its very own! Who knew New Orleans was such a haven for witches? There are several covens in the area, with the French Quarter Cover being the most prominent. Their power is rooted in the land of that area where their ancestors are buried, meaning if they leave, they have no access to their power. It's a super cool way to incorporate their magic and history in one! The witches are integral in bringing balance to the area, especially considering the Original Vampires are calling it home these days! Aside from them, there are even more witches traipsing around New Orleans trying to co-exist in a supernatural hotbed!
The Magicians
Ever wished there was a college where you could study magic? Well, it exists on this TV show! Brakebills University offers training to become a magician while exposing the truth that a magical and dangerous world exists beyond our own. The show involves tons of grad students learning magic together and acting like real-life college students at the same time, making this outside-the-box show relatable AF. Magic lovers are really just nerds on the inside, and we're totally here for it. We like to imagine places like Brakebills and Hogwarts are 100% real and someday we hope we'll be invited to embrace our witchy ways!
Witches of East End
Even witches can make mistakes, guys! Wendy (Mädchen Amick) thinks she's protecting her daughters by holding off on telling them they're immortal witches, but obvi they were gonna find out! As adult women, their lives are turned upside down by the revelation that they have untapped powers (can someone come tell us that pls?). They face the darkness coming for them together as a family, along with Wendy's sister. And seeing a strong family of witchy women fighting together is pretty inspiring. A huge throughline through many witch stories is a family or coven coming together to channel their power and we love the fact that coming together, they're an even bigger force to be reckoned with!
The Secret Circle
Teens + witch powers = trouble. And a whole lot of fun! When Cassie (Britt Robertson) moves to Chance Harbor, a group of local teens tells her they've been waiting for her return because she's a witch who can help them complete the "Secret Circle." Y'all, I'd be skeptical AF but totally enthralled! Cassie is, of course, a little freaked out. But she soon realizes it's all true. The teens have plenty to contend with as they explore their powers (and hormones) and it's one of the rare witch stories that combines the tumult of growing up and finding out you're a powerful witch at the same time. Life's crazy enough, imagine adding mystical powers to the mix?!
Wizards of Waverly Place
This is one of the more delightfully silly depictions of witches on TV. And it has Selena Gomez, so you know we love it! The Russo kids are coming into their own and they just happen to have some crazy cool powers. The show gives a lighthearted look at witch and wizard life, which, more often than not, leads to hijinks. Sometimes the dark aura around witch stories is just too dismal for us — we'd want to be fun-loving witches without the fear that the world is ending every five minutes! Powers would be tons of fun and the Russo kids know it!
American Horror Story: Coven
The third season of this anthology series, American Horror Story, is all about witches! In New Orleans resides a special school for those with witchy abilities to be able to learn about their craft. Run by The Supreme, an ever-changing and all-powerful witch, the school's coven is preparing to protect themselves by any means. Inter-witch rivalries ensue and egos get the better of the magical teens and adults alike. If you like your witches a little bit bitchy, this is the show for you! Full of sass and wit, they use their magic and their tongues to decimate enemies. They're basically the chicest, most intimidating, brazen group of ladies you'll ever meet. We pretty much want to grow up to be them!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
We know the show is literally about Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a vampire slayer, not a witch, but our fave character just may be Willow (Alyson Hannigan). Willow starts the series as a bit of a nerdy outsider. But as she comes into her own, she begins developing her powers and sheds that shy, self-conscious demeanor. She saves the gang countless times, discovers and embraces her sexuality through her magic, and even when she has an evil phase, we still love her. She's always herself and always fighting for the greater good. Buffy sure is lucky she has this strong sorceress by her side!
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) is exactly the witch we wanted to be when we were growing up. She's funny, fiercely loyal, and had the best '90s wardrobe! All she has to do is point her finger (and emit the prettiest little sparks!) to make her wildest dreams come true. How awesome is that? Sure, she battles evil here and there, but on the whole, she's a regular teen with crazy cool powers. And we're not gonna lie, we are still so jealous we don't have witchy powers. Or super cool aunts. Or a talking cat. Sabrina had all the best stuff!
Charmed
The Halliwell sisters are the witchiest women ever to be on TV and we bow down to the queens. This strong group of sisters discovers their magical powers, each individual to the person. They always work as a unit to fight evil (and there's a whole lot of evil around them!) and rely on their sisterly bond just as much as their magical powers. You do not want to tangle with these witches! Their lives as The Charmed Ones isn't an easy one, but they embrace it (most of the time) because it's their job to protect innocents from the darkness that lurks around San Francisco (and the rest of the world). They're feminist AF, trail-blazingly independent, and exactly the kind of witches and women we strive to be!
