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The Witches
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The Witches

The Witches

1990
Family/Kids, Fantasy
1h 31m
A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse. (imdb)

Directed by:

Nicolas Roeg

Screenwriter:

Roald Dahl, Allan Scott

Starring:

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

Genres:

Family/Kids, Fantasy, Horror

Country:

UK

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
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The Witches

1990
Family/Kids, Fantasy
1h 31m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 48.21% from 1394 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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kojilessKojiless
Rated 22 Nov 2012
54
59th
Teaches children that they should distrust all old women--a fine life lesson if there ever was one. Why Roald Dahl and the Henson Company didn't pair up more often is, next to who shot JFK, and who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong, one of the most nagging unanswered mysteries of our time.
Rated 22 Nov 2012
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 30 Nov 2018
77
62nd
I'm not sure if it's nostalgia or if this really did hold up in my adult age, but I still had a good time watching this one at over thirty years old. There's not a whole lot to offer for the adults, no existential ponderings, no grown-up themes, no hidden dirty jokes that fly over kids' heads, but just a purely inoccent, fun movie. Not to say anything about her acting, but I always thought Houston kind of looked like a witch.
Rated 30 Nov 2018
paxtonPaxton
Rated 21 Aug 2017
70
65th
There are stranger ways to fall in love with Anjelica Houston?
Rated 21 Aug 2017
beedubBeeDub
Rated 05 Jul 2015
88
74th
Captures the fun/sinister tone of the book, but the new "happy" ending is a complete cop-out. Still very enjoyable.
Rated 05 Jul 2015
magbMagb
Rated 18 Feb 2007
65
30th
I saw this when I was a kid, and that scene in the conference room where they all take their masks off scared the shit out of me. Rowan Atkinson is in it? And Nicolas Roeg directed it? These things are news to me.
Rated 18 Feb 2007
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 14 Jul 2016
74
63rd
Delightfully creepy and quite charming fairytale I wish I'd seen as a kid. There's some really dark undertones to the story but it ends up feeling a bit watered down considering what it has going for it and the ending is kind of a cop out. Technically well made and joyously acted, if the story had stuck to the book, I might've given it a much higher score. Not bad at all though.
Rated 14 Jul 2016
dunbardunbar
Rated 01 Jan 2016
70
44th
There are moments, good moments that really bring Dahl's story to life. Huston is a big up. However, her scenes need to battle with three big downs: the pacing of the film, the child voice acting and the downright stupid end.
Rated 01 Jan 2016
martrynmartryn
Rated 15 Aug 2007
69
47th
I watched this a lot as a child, and was always really creeped out by it. Such a cute little kids movie. They don't really make them like this anymore.
Rated 15 Aug 2007
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 07 Apr 2012
89
82nd
Exhilarating fantasy which for the most part willingly embraces the jet-black and quite gruesome undertones of Dahl's novel (until an ending that is perhaps a necessary compromise). Huston is hilarious as the flamboyant Grand Dame while Zetterling steals the film as the steely grandma; Atkinson also very amusing in support. Roeg's bizarre directorial style (favouring goggle-eyed lenses) proves the perfect vehicle for this story. Still quite creepy even for us grown-ups!
Rated 07 Apr 2012
egbertsouseEgbertSouse
Rated 16 Dec 2008
80
52nd
American ending sucks, but otherwise effectively creepy kid's movie. Love the silent movie references to Haxan and Battleship Potemkin.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
veseyVesey
Rated 24 Feb 2008
85
79th
Huston was perfect as the Grand High Witch.
Rated 24 Feb 2008
quintonjaminQuintonjamin
Rated 16 Sep 2020
50
35th
The practical effects of the witches were fantastic and it's always fun to see Rowan Atkinson, but the mouse story line was kind of stupid. Anjelica Huston was good and the tone is perfect. There's just something about it that didn't stand the test of time.
Rated 16 Sep 2020
jlfmJLFM
Rated 21 Oct 2013
78
78th
One of the all-time great scary movies for kids. Anjelica Huston absolutely commands the screen in the outrageous role as the grand high witch (though the rest of the cast is all over the place). The makeup, puppetry, and effects are all pretty astonishing as well. It's as strange as family-geared films can get and delightfully dark, even if it smooths a lot of the even-harsher edges of Dahl's novel.
Rated 21 Oct 2013
ag0stomesmerAg0stoMesmer
Rated 31 Jul 2012
3
73rd
OK, I miss puppets in films
Rated 31 Jul 2012
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 20 Dec 2010
45
33rd
Made to petrify every child that watches it, looking back on this movie now it doesn't stand out as a particuarly great adaptation. Huston is very good, but all-in-all it feels cheap and slow.
Rated 20 Dec 2010
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 01 Jul 2010
71
63rd
It's a cool story, I love Roald Dahl. It's a pretty enjoyable movie too
Rated 01 Jul 2010
yerameyahuYerameyahu
Rated 15 Jan 2008
60
24th
A rather faithful Dahl adaptation, and you can forgive it for catering to children. Fans of the book won't be disappointed.
Rated 15 Jan 2008
sopachuco13sopachuco13
Rated 29 Oct 2021
80
62nd
The Witches is one of the scariest movies I remember watching as a child. I love this movie and I can say that it still holds up rather well. I don't think the movie really needed to have Luke be a young American boy instead of a British boy but it doesn't really effect the movie. Anjelica Huston is sexy and terrifying in this movie. Rowan Atkinson is funny without being overly Bean, probably because his Bean TV show debuted after this movie had wrapped. I think it's better than the remake.
Rated 29 Oct 2021
amazedemonamazedemon
Rated 24 Oct 2020
64
51st
Roeg & Scott's adaptation of The Witches manages to capture the unique blend of whimsy and disturbing creepiness present in Dahl's novel. Huston was perfect & Atkinson is always fun. Zetterling was a touch too dotty; Fisher was middling at best, and the decision to change his character to an American was unnecessary and ill-advised. Scott's revision of the ending was bad, the camerawork severely dated, but the personalities of every minor character and Henson's practical effects makes up for it.
Rated 24 Oct 2020
yiannosYiannos
Rated 06 Jul 2019
48
19th
Cheap and dated. It's more visually creative than most kids films, but Roeg can't help himself and overdoes everything. From the use of wide angles and fish eye lenses to the general camera moves, it all feels laboured and forced and reeks of British 'eccentricity'. He was an unusual choice for this project and the wrong one, keeping himself at a complete remove from onscreen events. Huston hams it up like crazy, and she is undoubtedly the highlight of this misguided adaptation.
Rated 06 Jul 2019
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 26 May 2019
60
36th
Pretty creepy kiddie flick that may be more for adults. There are a lot of logical inconsistencies and plot holes that sometimes break you out of the dream world, but the special effects and puppetry are really impressive (talking mice or not, I'm still putting out glue traps). Most of the actors really excelled in hamming up their roles (always a fan of Rowan Atkinson). Not a "must watch," but there are certainly worse movies out there.
Rated 26 May 2019
britneeeebritneeee
Rated 01 Jul 2017
75
63rd
The only thing I absolutely MUST comment on is how freaking cute the little mice are. Every time one of them so much as moves their hand, I want to cry tears of joy.
Rated 01 Jul 2017
janusjanus
Rated 16 Apr 2009
60
32nd
Apart from the HUGE deus ex machina employed for a happy ending, it's all right. Nothing special, but I can think of worse ways to spend an hour and a half. The special effects are great as is usual from the Jim Henson company, and Rowan Atkinson is as funny as he's ever been playing a straight role.
Rated 16 Apr 2009
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 26 Jan 2009
80
88th
Such a good story and what a movie!!!!!!!!
Rated 26 Jan 2009
lauratronlauratron
Rated 15 Dec 2008
75
53rd
Decent kids film but a shame they changed the ending.
Rated 15 Dec 2008
nilkynarfynilkynarfy
Rated 26 Mar 2007
60
48th
One of those films that just sort of sneaks up on you, but fails to make a mark and slinks away unnoticed. Mediocre, but not at all terrible, there's a lot of fun to be had but it's hardly a classic.
Rated 26 Mar 2007
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 27 Oct 2024
73
37th
This film starts off really slow. Once the movie gets going there are a number of fun scenes. Anjelica Huston clearly has a blast with the lead role. Overall I would recommend this fantasy film.
Rated 27 Oct 2024
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 02 Jul 2023
60
35th
I can now see just why this felt so disturbing to me when I was watching as a kid. I remember the mice and the creepy, itching scalps. Watching it now, it's got a solid plot and some epic acting, mostly from Anjelica Huston. It's a kiddo movie,. but as such it can come out kind of... super creepy at times? The head witch turning into a mouse was weird as hell.
Rated 02 Jul 2023
luordluord
Rated 21 Nov 2022
77
84th
Loved it, and nostalgia cannot be blamed as I never watched more than bits of it as a child. Not only is the movie surprisingly creepy when it needs to be, it's downright thrilling. It made me root deeply for Luke, who is so awesome at everything he does it'd usually annoy me, but the movie makes him suffer more than enough to compensate.
Rated 21 Nov 2022
velvet_croweVelvet Crowe
Rated 20 Oct 2022
53
53rd
The child actors were pretty shit but the adult actors were boasting enough flair and personality to at least not be boring. However, the film's setpieces are mostly lame and I ended up ultimately caring more about the goofball witches than the lame children. Though this is a movie that is pretty easy to make fun of for some of its oddball writing decisions, like how the kids don't seem phased about becoming mice or how it implies you shouldn't trust old women.
Rated 20 Oct 2022
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 19 Oct 2022
47
34th
Seen: 2+. I remember being creeped out by this when I was a kid, and I know why. The creature/puppet effects and makeup are disturbing and pretty cool. Other than that, a lot of puzzling things occur, and the ending is a complete cop-out. It's just nothing special, but it does make the 2020 version look completely redundant.
Rated 19 Oct 2022
jessjess125Jessjess125
Rated 23 Sep 2022
78
43rd
Why do kids smell like dog poop asking for a friend
Rated 23 Sep 2022
jarobmuljarobmul
Rated 18 Jun 2022
67
41st
Needed better acting and a better script, but it did have some charm.
Rated 18 Jun 2022
karbonaichKarbonaich
Rated 27 Dec 2021
40
2nd
w/ Busra
Rated 27 Dec 2021
joojooJooJoo
Rated 15 Oct 2021
4
56th
How have I not rated this....uuuum Nicolas Roeg film (what)? Nightmare fuel for anyone who happened across this at a young age.
Rated 15 Oct 2021
videoetronVideoetron
Rated 02 Oct 2021
79
94th
I found that creepy but fascinating as a kid, and now watching as an adult, I sure get why. A lot of potential nightmare fodder, but maybe it is part of the movie's charm. It's aged, and yet it somehow helped making it creepier, it gives a slow backward kitsch quality that makes it odd and a bit tense.
Rated 02 Oct 2021
newtothelytenewtothelyte
Rated 31 Oct 2020
90
82nd
The first third of this movie is dreadfully slow and terrible, but the rest of the movie is absolutely amazing. It has puppet rats, child murdering witches, and great practical effects. I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. It's a Halloween classic
Rated 31 Oct 2020
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 26 Oct 2020
50
8th
Highwitcheachcountry-topGrandhighwitch+purpletinteyes/notoes+trappedgirlinpainting/shemoved/ageddied+hideousunderdisguiselol+turnboytomouse+mainboytoo+turnwitchestomice+boysstillmicelolbutmainboystoletheirnuffmoney+agoodwitchsneaksandturnshimbackandgiveshispetmiceback-goinforotherboy-maybetheymetherearlierididntnoticelol
Rated 26 Oct 2020
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 19 Oct 2020
67
43rd
Another film that used to weird me out as a kid. Huston is perfectly cast, but the exaggerated direction becomes tiresome. Goes downhill after the conference scene.
Rated 19 Oct 2020
pianosamaPianoSama
Rated 29 Jan 2020
65
45th
All the elements of solid story are there, largely thanks to Roald Dahl's source material, and Anjelica Huston gives her all as the diabolical Grand High Witch, but aside from some enjoyable effects courtesy of the Henson company- primarily adorable talking mice & hideously awesome creature design- there isn't much memorable stuff here. The performances are largely meh, there's no suspense or excitement whatsoever, & the whole thing is just a bit boring. Not bad by any means, but very bland.
Rated 29 Jan 2020
tarwebroodtarwebrood
Rated 24 Dec 2019
78
62nd
2019-12-24 and before, Great childrens movie based on a book by Roald Dahl.
Rated 24 Dec 2019
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 04 Jun 2019
81
68th
Esse é outro filme que perdi de assistir na infância/adolescência, mas presumo que deva ser realmente assustador aos olhos de uma criança e independente da faixa etária programada, com Roeg não tem erro. Darkflix TV.
Rated 04 Jun 2019
parasiteParasite
Rated 01 Dec 2018
50
54th
Fear strangers, kid; they'll crush every single bone of yours.
Rated 01 Dec 2018
mwestcottmwestcott
Rated 02 Jul 2018
82
62nd
This is a surprisingly well made Dahl adaptation. Granted it changes the ending in favor of the less disturbing. Anjelica Huston is pitch perfect and surprisingly terrifying. It may not be well known, but it's entertaining and not a terrible swan song for Jim Henson.
Rated 02 Jul 2018
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 13 Jul 2017
2
17th
man oh man did they pussy out on the ending. no wonder dahl hated this shit. it's a shame because so much of his vision is brought to life, from the quiet tenderness of the grandmaternal relationship to the grotesque chaos of the set pieces.
Rated 13 Jul 2017
jolitafjolitaf
Rated 25 Feb 2017
90
45th
This was a kids movie, however, it's one of those special ones that goes deeper if you know what you're seeing. The special effects are quite amazing and the witches therefore are very believable. Quite engaging and interesting. Caught me by surprise.
Rated 25 Feb 2017
carlosproCarlospro
Rated 12 Jul 2016
75
64th
Como não se apaixonar por Anjelica Huston?
Rated 12 Jul 2016
hakkanarejohakkanarejo
Rated 15 Sep 2015
92
47th
Scary, funny, and wildly entertaining, it's all about a young boy named Luke (Jasen Fisher) whose parents have died in a tragic accident, and whose grandmother (Mai Zetterling) takes him to a posh hotel in England, where a secret coven of witches is holding its annual convention. The Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston, in a scene-stealing performance) has decreed that all children in England be turned into mice, and Luke and his pal Bruno (Charles Potter) are the first victims on the list.
Rated 15 Sep 2015
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 30 Aug 2015
60
24th
Near perfect fantasy/horror film for kids, but what's with the ending?
Rated 30 Aug 2015
three-questions_ii???
Rated 19 Apr 2015
60
37th
SO bad
Rated 19 Apr 2015
gokcanzgokcanz
Rated 17 Oct 2014
63
39th
* Casting, Acting : 6.5 * Script : 6.5 * Directing, Aura : 7 * Ease of Viewing : 6 * Naked Eye : 5.5
Rated 17 Oct 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 25 Apr 2014
84
79th
84.000
Rated 25 Apr 2014
skrabblesSkrabbles
Rated 14 Nov 2013
60
28th
Scariest witches ever
Rated 14 Nov 2013
jkathrensjkathrens
Rated 20 Jul 2013
66
38th
Always meant to see this as a kid. Worth it as an adult for the great Jim Henson effects, the delightfully macabre plot points (a Dahl standby), and a vintage Rowan Atkinson performance. Suffers from a terrible performance by the main kid (a little better in mouse form) and a stupid ending which Roald Dahl and I agree ruins the movie. Show your kids if you don't mind scaring them a bit... and maybe switch it off w/ 2 minutes to go. ;)
Rated 20 Jul 2013
actlikealadyactlikealady
Rated 24 Nov 2012
89
86th
Huston was perfectly casted. The story and script are wonderful. Truly a classic.
Rated 24 Nov 2012
michaelhashMichaelhash
Rated 04 Nov 2012
84
28th
83.500
Rated 04 Nov 2012
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 01 Aug 2012
77
22nd
IT's a decent time and it is well-acted and heartfelt. I personally thought this movie was pretty endearing when I was younger and it probably still is.
Rated 01 Aug 2012
hotsakehotsake
Rated 14 Jul 2012
70
75th
A fun and freaky fantastical kids horror movie that's a blast to watch by yourself, with friends or with family.
Rated 14 Jul 2012
glmglm
Rated 10 Jul 2012
78
61st
77.500
Rated 10 Jul 2012
mervtaylorMerv_Taylor
Rated 15 Jun 2012
93
84th
Mr Bean gets grossed out
Rated 15 Jun 2012
cotote2018Cotote2018
Rated 11 Jun 2012
73
50th
A good, dark though very uneven movie with a terrible last minute
Rated 11 Jun 2012
benoBeNO
Rated 26 May 2012
65
38th
this movie was cool there was a part that left me a little scared as a kid but it all worked out in the end from what i remember.
Rated 26 May 2012
lenynhalenynha
Rated 13 Oct 2011
85
71st
Classic movie.
Rated 13 Oct 2011
aceysaid10AceySaid10%
Rated 25 Mar 2011
80
49th
This movie used to give me nightmares LOL
Rated 25 Mar 2011
camcleodCAMcleod
Rated 21 Feb 2011
20
11th
Just a pants adaptation of a great book.
Rated 21 Feb 2011
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 29 Mar 2010
38
24th
Typically lowbrow fare from Roald Dahl, but a fall from grace for Nicolas Roeg.
Rated 29 Mar 2010
overratedoverrated
Rated 14 Jan 2010
50
48th
Huston & the witches in general are really fucking good at living up to how terrifying they are in the book as a kid. Changing the ending and the otherwise overall flat direction count against this adaptation.
Rated 14 Jan 2010
ofterdingenOfterdingen
Rated 31 Dec 2009
61
55th
The first half is almost as good as I remember. The second is rather tiresome.
Rated 31 Dec 2009
forehead1forehead1
Rated 27 Dec 2009
60
72nd
The atmospheric, genuinely eerie first 15-20 minutes of this film is something I really appreciated as a small child, and still do today: These days I'm sure there'd be uproar about a movie that dared to make an honest attempt to scare kids like that. Things dip a tad afterwards, before morphing into a pretty straightforward film once the main storyline is established, but despite the obvious cost-cutting measures this is still a worthy family flick for any era.
Rated 27 Dec 2009
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 21 Dec 2009
85
66th
Scary, well-directed kids film.
Rated 21 Dec 2009
mechatiggerMechatigger
Rated 09 Dec 2009
86
74th
The special effects are top-notch, the photography is superb, and the script is thrilling. Expert family movie-making.
Rated 09 Dec 2009
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 14 Oct 2009
6
68th
Sure, the ending sucks but Roeg and Henson are an incredible pair.
Rated 14 Oct 2009
fantacbobFantacBob
Rated 10 Jun 2009
20
2nd
Too silly for me.
Rated 10 Jun 2009
pennylaneafPennyLaneAF
Rated 30 May 2009
55
16th
Great horror tale for the kids. Houston is brilliant as the grand witch!
Rated 30 May 2009
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 23 May 2009
60
46th
Dark and amusing film for kids, I liked when I was a kid.
Rated 23 May 2009
imthatdingoImThatDingo
Rated 14 Jan 2009
82
80th
Such a swell movie. True, book was better, but it's swell nonetheless.
Rated 14 Jan 2009
revolutionoRevolutiono
Rated 23 Dec 2008
5
19th
I thought the book was better as a kid and I think the same thing now.
Rated 23 Dec 2008
sophiesophie
Rated 19 Dec 2008
65
47th
The beginning and the unmasked witches scared the crap out of me when I was a child. Still gives me the creeps ..
Rated 19 Dec 2008
enderender
Rated 12 Oct 2008
65
47th
Love Roahd Dahl. Love Anjelica Huston. Love witches with square toes.
Rated 12 Oct 2008
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 27 Jun 2008
79
89th
Gave me nightmare when little
Rated 27 Jun 2008
mazikeenMazikeen
Rated 16 Jun 2008
70
21st
Unfortunately its one of the better Roald Dahl film adaptations. It really gets across how much he hated kids.
Rated 16 Jun 2008
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 25 Dec 2007
2
39th
It's okay by itself, but it really screws over the book's story.
Rated 25 Dec 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
70
63rd
Fun movie.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
jonquilljonquill
Rated 12 Sep 2007
86
50th
One of the more faithful adaptations of Dahl.
Rated 12 Sep 2007
badfishstanbadfishstan
Rated 12 Sep 2007
67
42nd
As a child I found this movie frightening. Fun kids movie.
Rated 12 Sep 2007
tripleshTripleSH
Rated 14 Aug 2007
30
18th
I remember not even being able to sit through this when I was a kid. It just has that bad kind of stuffy British movie feel about it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
73rd
A charming and yet frightening movie based on a classic book - I loved it as a kid.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
4
44th
I'm rarely one to say this so bluntly (because I can't read), but read the book instead. It's Roald Dahl, you'll like it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
citysqwirlcitysqwirl
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
9th
Sound problems (it's hard to hear what the witches are saying in their makeup) mar what was an enjoyable adapatation of a nasty, fun book. I like the movie a lot more before the boy turns into a mouse. Plus Anjelica Houston is always fab, although she feels somehow wasted here.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
difontaineDifontaine
Rated 17 Apr 2007
57
22nd
As good an adaptation of Roald Dahl as we are gonna get, sadly
Rated 17 Apr 2007
stainStain
Rated 31 Mar 2007
90
86th
Surprisingly fun movie
Rated 31 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 01 Mar 2007
55
49th
Classic Roald Dahl.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 20 Jan 2007
39
3rd
As a kid who loved the book, the stupid happy ending just completely ruined everything.
Rated 20 Jan 2007

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