Fictional witches captivate us. On screen and in books, they rule with wands, flowy robes, and amazing powers. Good, evil, or both, they often have great hair. Some sing about being wronged, while others turn the land black and lament their lost beauty. They can be mean, pitting brunettes against blondes, but ginger witches do their own thing. In literature, witches have been wreaking havoc for centuries, summoning ice, fire, and toads. They're prone to eating children, brewing cauldrons, and thwarting handsome cousins. Shakespeare used witches as prophets of doom, scaring theatergoers. Films like The Witches and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters feature terrifying witches. Some have infiltrated bureaucracies, rising to power at Hogwarts and outdoing Voldemort with their charm. TV witches are charming until provoked, then they unleash black eyes and lightning hands. Others navigate high school with help from witch aunts and talking cats. Who's your favorite fictional witch? Glinda or Elphaba? Vote to see who wins this witch battle royale. Missing your favorite? Add her and cast your spell.
About this list
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Professor Minerva McGonagall.She is the stern yet caring Transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor house at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She fiercely protects her students while enforcing discipline. Dame Maggie Smith portrayed her in theHarry PotterMcGonagall maintains a strict demeanor. She shows warm guidance and courage defending Hogwarts against threats. Muggles see her as an ordinary, prim teacher. McGonagall reveals her powerful magical abilities in battle, using advanced transfiguration against evil forces.
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Hermione Granger is the brilliant, principled young witch. She joins Dumbledore's Army to help Harry Potter defeat evil forces. She is known for her book smarts, spell mastery, and loyalty to friends. Emma Watson depicted her in the Harry PotterIn the Harry Potter franchise, Hermione masters advanced magic and research. This knowledge fuels the fight against Voldemort. She starts strict about rules, but she breaks them when justice requires it. Hermione becomes a strategist organizing Dumbledore's Army and defending the oppressed.
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Maleficent is the elegant, vengeful dark fairy of the Moors. She curses Princess Aurora after a past betrayal. Maleficent then redeems herself. Angelina Jolie's regal performance brought her to life in the live-action.Sleeping BeautyMaleficent's origin story shows her appearing as the wicked sorceress of fairy tales. She reveals nuance and humanity. She builds a maternal bond with Aurora and fights to protect the Moors and her fairy family.
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Luna Lovegood is the quirky, odd Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts. She believes in strange creatures and conspiracy theories but proves herself a brave ally. Evanna Lynch portrayed her as a free spirit in the Harry Potterseries, Luna's airy manner hides her intelligence and bravery. People tease Luna for her oddities, but she stays herself. Luna sees value in others bullies overlook and becomes one of Harry's most loyal defenders.
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Sabrina Spellman is the half-mortal, half-witch teenager. She struggles balancing her magic, high school life, and her destiny to defeat evil forces threatening her town. Melissa Joan Hart depicted her in the classic Sabrina the Teenage WitchSabrina wants to fit in with friends. Her gifts put her in strange supernatural problems. She learns to accept her dual nature. Sabrina uses her magic selflessly as she grows up among witches and regular teens.
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The Charmed Ones are the Halliwell sisters. They are a prophesied trio of magical witches. They learn they possess great power. They must protect the innocent from demonic threats. Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, and Alyssa Milano portray their sisterly chemistry. These reluctant heroes guard San Francisco from evil. They balance their powers with jobs and love. The sisters use their unique gifts to stop magic from hurting people.
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Samantha Stephens is the well-meaning witch. She marries a mortal man. He keeps her magic hidden. This causes comedic supernatural mishaps for her family. Elizabeth Montgomery charms her in the fantasy sitcom.BewitchedSuburban housewife Samantha wants a normal life. She uses her magic without knowing. This frustrates her husband with spells going wrong. Then, Samantha accepts her special gifts.
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Scarlet Witch is the mutant Avenger. She uses probability manipulation to change reality. Elizabeth Olsen plays this complex, often unstable hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her magic lets her mess with minds and warp physics. People reject her for powers she cannot fully control. Scarlet Witch seeks good but causes huge disasters that turn people against her.
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Sarah Bailey is a curious Salem teenager. She finds magic she inherited from ancestors accused of witchcraft centuries ago. Robin Tunney plays her in the '90s fantasy hit.The CraftSarah doubts her magic. A coven of occult girls takes her in. As Sarah learns spells and conjuring, she gains power to protect herself. Sarah falls deeper into magic's pull.
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Marie Laveau is the famous Voodoo queen of New Orleans. Her magic and leadership of voodoo practitioners made her a feared, influential figure. Angela Bassett plays her ominously in.American Horror Story: CovenLaveau rules 19th-century New Orleans, frightening white elites. Her stories about cursing enemies and talking to spirits made her legend as the Voodoo Queen ruling through magic.
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Cordelia Foxx is a character from the TV series American Horror Story.
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Sally Owens is a shy aspiring witch. She must accept her magical past from her odd aunts and find her own path and powers. Sandra Bullock plays her in the whimsical film.Practical MagicSally hides her gifts after a tragedy. She resists her aunts' occult lessons to seek normal life. But magic awakens inside her, and she embraces her heritage. Sally decides to nurture her children so they do not reject their power.
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Misty Day is the Cajun necromancer who controls the dead. She joins a group of misfit witches in modern New Orleans, protecting each other. Lily Rabe brought Misty to life.American Horror Story: Coven appears.Misty has a kind heart despite her gothic look. She tends her swamp sanctuary and brings back creatures with her gift. This lonely outcast finds friendship with the Coven. She uses her magic to help others, though she remains scarred by her own violent death.
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Tia Dalma is the mysterious voodoo priestess with Captain Jack Sparrow. She uses prophetic powers and old magic to help in his adventures. Naomie Harris brought Tia Dalma to life.Pirates of the Caribbean is listed.Tia Dalma gives Jack cryptic guidance from her bayou lair. Her casual use of voodoo and seeming knowledge gives the pirate stories a supernatural feel.
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Zelda Spellman is the stern aunt who raises Sabrina. She warns Sabrina to use magic wisely but still backs her as a new witch. Beth Broderick played Zelda Spellman.Sabrina the Teenage Witch is listed.Zelda thinks Sabrina must avoid worldly pleasures and focus on witchcraft studies. Zelda's love for her family makes her risk herself protecting Sabrina, showing tough love comes from care.
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The White Witch rules Narnia kindly. She uses her wisdom and gentle magic to help the Pevensie children fulfill the prophecy and beat the evil White Witch. Tilda Swinton depicted the White Witch.The Chronicles of Narnia is listed.Film adaptations show the White Witch as hope and renewal. She acts as a nurturing mother figure, helping the children on their journey. Though strong enough to defeat the White Witch, she lets the Pevensies gain power and free Narnia.
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The Wicked Witch of the West is the green, scary sorceress. She terrifies Dorothy Gale and the Land of Oz with evil magic before being melted. Margaret Hamilton portrayed the Wicked Witch of the West.The Wizard of Oz is listed.Her snarling threats and chilling cackle make her one of cinema's most iconic villains.These are the most iconic villains.She looks monstrous and acts monstrous. She shows the danger of letting jealousy and revenge take over a person's humanity.
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Mary Poppins is the mysterious, vain, yet whimsical English nanny. She uses her reality-bending magic to teach and guide the Banks children in unexpected ways. Julie Andrews played Mary Poppins in the Disney classic musical.Mary Poppins is listed.Mary Poppins floats into their lives with the East Wind. She teaches lessons through magic. Mary Poppins is strict but kind; she creates magical moments while encouraging the children to explore their ideas.
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Glinda the Good Witch is the kind sorceress who guides Dorothy Gale through the Land of Oz using her wisdom and gentle magic against the Wicked Witch's evil. Billie Burke plays her in "The Wizard of Oz".The Wizard of Oz is listed among the best fictional witches.Glinda shows radiant beauty, protecting Dorothy and giving her the ruby slippers and advice for the Yellow Brick Road. She uses subtle inspiration instead of big magic, pushing people toward inner strength and achieving goals.
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Gillian Owens is a shy aspiring witch. Two eccentric aunts pull her into learning magic, and she finds her hidden powers. Nicole Kidman plays her in the quirky film "Practical Magic".Practical Magic appears in the list of best fictional witches.Gillian wants normal life, avoiding her aunt's curse legacy. Finding her rare resurrection gift sparks her magic study. Defending her aunt, Gillian accepts magic for good, mixing it with daily life.
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Ginny Weasley is a loyal young witch. She proves herself a brave, skilled member of Dumbledore's Army fighting Voldemort. Bonnie Wright stars in "Harry Potter".Harry Potter is in the list of best fictional witches.Ginny sheds shyness to join the resistance effort. Her magical skill surpasses her age. With nerve and magic, she fights experienced wizards, becoming a hero.
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Nymphadora Tonks is a fun Auror and Order of the Phoenix member. Her Metamorphmagus powers let her change her look anytime. Natalia Tena shows her humor and energy in "Harry Potter".Harry Potter is in the list of best fictional witches.Tonks offers comic relief with her clumsiness and pink hair. She is an odd match for Lupin, but she fights Voldemort and his Death Eaters with courage.
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Mary Sanderson is the loud, cackling leader of the silly trio of evil sisters. They steal Salem children's lives for eternal youth. Kathy Najimy plays her in the Halloween comedy film "Hocus Pocus".Hocus Pocus is in the list of best fictional witches.Mary shows amateur evil, squabbling with her sisters more than real witchcraft. Ruthless vanity makes her sacrifice lives for beauty, threatening the town's children.
Also ranks #7 on Hocus Pocus Characters
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The Witches of Eastwick are three repressed women seeking adventure. Their hidden powers wake up when they attract Daryl Van Horne. Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer play them. These friends find their magic lets them reach their deepest wants. Van Horne causes issues, but their magic lets them control their lives.
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Ursula, the scheming sea witch, makes a treacherous deal. She grants Ariel legs and a human voice using her potent magic of transformation. Pat Carroll's iconic voice acting brought her to life in the Disney classic.The Little MermaidUrsula manipulates Ariel's dreams to experience another realm. The spirited mermaid wins, showing love defeats the dark enchantments of an evil witch seeking selfish gain.
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Piper Halliwell is the reluctant eldest Charmed One. Her time freezing and molecular combustion powers help her fight demons while trying to live a normal life. Holly Marie Combs portrayed her as a strong leader throughout the series run.CharmedPiper wants to run a normal restaurant and have a relationship. But she leads the Charmed Ones with her level head and strong skills. She defends innocents while wanting her own happy ending.
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Endora is the flamboyant, quick-witted sorceress and Samantha Stephens' mother. She often provokes trouble with her casual, mischievous magic. Agnes Moorehead portrayed her in the classic sitcom.BewitchedEndora dislikes her daughter marrying a mortal. Still, she helps the couple grudgingly. Love for her half-human granddaughter changes her witchy irritation.
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Morgan le Fay is a Marvel Comics character loosely based on the Arthurian legend. This version makes her the half-faerie half-sister of Arthur. Her elven heritage gave her immortality; she used this time to master mystic arts. She sometimes tries to take over the world. The Avengers opposed her. In the 1970s, she was the main villain in the original Spider-Woman comic, opposed by a reincarnation of her 'ancient foe' and former lover of Magnus and Doctor Doom. She joined the Dar.
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Fiona Goode is the powerful, narcissistic Supreme witch and head of the coven. She descends from centuries of strong witches. Jessica Lange portrayed her with haughty extravagance in American Horror Story: Coven.American Horror Story: CovenFiona rules with potent magic and sensuality. She clings to her supremacy through fear, pitting young witches against each other. Fiona seeks extreme measures to save her fading gifts and position.
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Phoebe Halliwell is the free-spirited youngest Charmed One. Her premonition power helps her sisters anticipate and stop demonic attacks. Alyssa Milano portrayed her endearingly in the supernatural series.CharmedPhoebe grows from a carefree youngest sister into a devoted protector. Visions drive her to stop evil and save innocents. Her intuition and empathy back Piper and Prue's strengths. The Power of Three becomes unbreakable because of her emotional intelligence.
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Circe, the ancient Greek enchantress, lures men to her island and turns them into animals using her strong magic. Homer features her prominently in the Odyssey.Odyssey.The original femme fatale showed cold cunning and cruelty in her otherworldly beauty. Odysseus fought Circe's siren song with shrewdness and virtue, escaping her palace unharmed.
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Myrtle Snow is the flamboyant, vengeful member of the witch's council. She seeks to protect her Coven sisters, though she faces ostracization for her gifts. Frances Conroy portrays her in American Horror Story: Coven.American Horror Story: Coven.Myrtle uses the ancient Seven Wonders to expose the Coven's enemies. Beneath her eccentric look and love of fashion, she acts like a mother. Her loyalty makes her return from death to avenge her murdered apprentices.
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Lafayette Reynolds leads Bon Temps' witch coven as a flamboyant medium. He uses his powers to help others while dealing with their struggles. Nelsan Ellis portrays him on the HBO series True Blood.True Blood.Lafayette hides his gifts, haunted by spirits drawn to his psychic energy. Over time, he becomes a powerful voodoo practitioner. He uses abilities some call dark magic for good, protecting friends.
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Prue Halliwell, the stubborn eldest Charmed One, uses her telekinetic powers to help her sisters fight warlocks, demons, and dark forces. Prue becomes a strong protector. Shannen Doherty originally played her on the series, and Prue fights supernatural foes while gaining success. She grows into leadership, sacrificing her life defending them from a dark assassin.
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The Grand High Witch leads the world's witches. She hates children and plans to turn them into mice. Anjelica Huston brings her chilling performance in the film.The Witches.The Grand High Witch hides cruel acts behind a mask of nobility. Her hate for innocence drives evil plans. The brave child protagonist beats her dark magic with courage and morality.
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Mad Madam Mim, the temperamental old witch rival of Merlin, shifts shapes. She challenges him to a magical duel during King Arthur's reign. Martha Wentworth voices her in the Disney classic The Sword in the Stone.The Sword in the Stone.Mim’s pride makes her shift animal forms during their fight for magic. She acts more aggressive than wise, but Mim remains a whimsical counterpoint to the reserved Merlin.
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Sybill Trelawney is an eccentric Divination professor. She gives theatrical predictions and trances, though she has real prophetic power. Emma Thompson plays this quirky seer in Harry Potter.Harry Potter.Films treat Trelawney as a fraud. Still, she shows clairvoyance. She channels two prophecies for Harry's fate, hidden from her own mind. Dormant talent wakes up at key moments behind her showy mystery.
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Paige Matthews is the lost youngest Charmed One. She was given up at birth. Her whitelighter powers, telekinetic orbing, help her sisters fight evil. Rose McGowan plays her in the supernatural series.Paige Matthews joins the supernatural series.In season 4, Paige gains new powers. She bonds with new sisters Piper and Phoebe. Paige starts hesitant. Still, the orphaned Paige cherishes her magical family and protecting the innocent.
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Storm is the powerful mutant weather witch. She is a core X-Men member. Her magic summons lightning and storms. Halle Berry plays her as a force of nature in the X-Men franchise.Storm is in the X-Men franchise.Kenyan princess Ororo Monroe can stir primal tempests with a thought. She channels the elements with royal poise. This goddess uses her weather control to protect society. Her emotions can cause wild hurricanes if provoked.
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Tara Maclay is Willow's shy but powerful member of the Wiccan circle. Her knowledge of magic and spells helps the Scooby Gang fight evil in Sunnydale. Amber Benson plays her on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Tara Maclay is in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Tara mentors Willow in witchcraft. Their bond awakens combined powers. However, her magic becomes terrifying when Willow's dark power obsession, fueled by grief, nearly destroys them both.
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Melisandre is the seductive red priestess. Her shadowbinding magic helps Stannis Baratheon on his Iron Throne quest. Carice van Houten plays her in the HBO fantasy series.Melisandre is in the HBO fantasy series.Melisandre is in Game of Thrones.Melisandre uses strong blood magic and prophecy. Her zealotry blinds her morals. She believes ends justify means. She misreads signs, hurting the innocent by focusing on her vision.
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Bonnie Bennett is the kindhearted young witch. She uses her family magic to help friends and fight supernatural threats in their town. Kat Graham depicts her throughout The Vampire Diaries series.Bonnie Bennett is in The Vampire Diaries series.Bonnie sacrifices much to sharpen skills passed down by witch ancestors. She uses growing magic to stop evil plans. She tries to keep her compassion intact while mystic forces try to corrupt her spirit.
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Madison Montgomery is the promising young telekinetic witch. Her hidden darkness leads to her resurrection as a volatile undead enemy. Emma Roberts plays her with layered complexity in American Horror Story: Coven.Madison Montgomery is in American Horror Story: Coven.Madison appears famous before her powers show. This makes her an outcast. After being murdered for her actions, she returns vengeful. Her temper and magic become dangerous in her undead state.
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Taissa Farmiga plays Zoe Benson, a troubled young witch sent to Miss Robichaux's Academy to control her dark power over life.American Horror Story: CovenAlienated from society, Zoe seeks to grasp her dangerous gift for balancing life forces. She learns hope through sisterhood with other outcasts using their magic.
Also ranks #11 on All American Horror Story Characters
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Nanny McPhee is the mysterious governess. She uses a twisted cane and her magic to discipline and teach the unruly Brown children important lessons about behavior and family. Emma Thompson played her in the whimsical film series. She emerges through the Green Mist to shape misbehaving children. Her strange appearance and supernatural methods enforce obedience and growth.
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Pomona Sprout is the gentle Herbology professor at Hogwarts.She nurtures magical and mundane plants on the school grounds. Miriam Margolyes warmly portrays her in Harry Potter.Pomona Sprout nurtures magical and mundane plants on the school grounds. Miriam Margolyes warmly portrays her.Harry PotterProfessor Sprout embodies magic's nurturing side. She uses her green thumb to care for life-giving plants. Her talents provide potion ingredients and Christmas cheer, showing magic is a humble craft.
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Queenie is the good-natured human voodoo doll witch. She uses pain to protect her Coven sisters despite their differences. Gabourey Sidibe depicts her in American Horror Story: Coven.American Horror Story: CovenMocked for her look and race, Queenie shows inner strength and loyalty. She endures the same injuries she magically inflicts on foes. Queenie's self-worth grows as she finds a place among the outcasts.
Also ranks #16 on Show Boat Characters
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Marnie Piper is the skeptical suburban teenager. She finds out she descends from a line of witches. She uses magic against the Sanderson sisters' evil plans. Kimberly J. Brown portrays her with wit in the fantasy comedy.Hocus PocusMarnie Piper hesitates to accept her strange heritage. Marnie's resourcefulness and courage show as she cleverly outsmarts the fiendish sorceresses. Defending her family, Marnie gains power and confidence as a protector witch.
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“The Enchantress” is the main name for two Marvel Comics supervillains. One is Amora, a powerful sorceress and Thor's great enemy. The other is Sylvie Lushton, who Loki gave great mystic powers to as a tool for chaos. Sylvie models herself after Amora, the original Enchantress.
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Hela appears in Marvel Comics. She is the Asgardian goddess of death, based on the Norse goddess Hel. Hela rules Hel and Niflheim. Thor fought Hela often. Hela debuted in the Silver Age of comics in Journey into Mystery #102. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby adapted Norse mythology for this appearance. Cate Blanchett played Hela in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor: Ragnarok (2017).
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