Top 10 Most Iconic Pop Culture Witches

Top 10 Iconic Pop Culture Witches

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the film, TV, and even literature witches who left their generation utterly spellbound.

#10: Sally & Gillian Owens
“Practical Magic” (1998)

Is there any connection stronger than the one between sisters? For the Owens sisters, it’s them against the world—thanks to an old family curse and a society still not ready to embrace magical beings. They vow to always have each other’s backs, no matter what. Sally is the more level-headed sister to Gillian’s free spirit. However, together, they’re unstoppable. Although love and romance play a big role in the movie, these sisters prove they don’t need a knight in shining armor to save the day—their bond and magic are more than enough. Sally and Gillian created a space for those who’ve never quite fit into society’s boxes, a message that still rings true today.

#9: Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a Scarlet Witch
MCU (2008-)

Comic book fans first met this character in 1964’s “The X-Men”

#4, but most of us discovered her when she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Wanda and her twin brother, Pietro, initially side with Hydra, whose experiments strengthen her powers. Eventually, they switch sides and join the Avengers. Though Wanda is initially overwhelmed by her abilities, she gradually learns to control them. She even creates an alternate reality based on the sitcoms she loved as a child. Wanda may think she’s in charge, but it turns out that someone else is pulling the strings. Agatha also fully pushes Wanda to embrace her destiny as the Scarlet Witch.

#8: Sabrina Spellman
“Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1996-2003)

If you grew up watching teenage witches, you probably wished for magical powers to help you survive school—even though magic often caused more trouble than it solved. That’s what we loved about Sabrina: she was a relatable teen who just happened to have magical abilities. She lived with her aunts and their talking cat, Salem, who guided her through the ups and downs of growing up and learning to manage her powers. Sure, her spells had a tendency to backfire, but that was part of the show’s charm. We eventually got a version of Sabrina closer to her comic book roots, but let’s be honest—Melissa Joan Hart’s Sabrina practically raised a generation.

#7: Hermione Granger
“Harry Potter” franchise (1997-)

Let’s be real: this franchise could easily be titled “Hermione Granger and the Time She Saved the Day.” She’s undeniably the unsung hero of the story. Without her quick thinking and book smarts, Harry might not have made it through his first year at Hogwarts. Hermione doesn’t just seem to have all the answers; she’s practical and prepared for nearly any situation. She isn’t just guided by her intelligence but also her intuition and genuine compassion for others. As the series progressed, she grew more confident and comfortable in herself. Also, speaking of great witches in this franchise, we think we can all agree that Professor McGonagall is an underrated icon.

#6: Willow Rosenberg
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

When we first met Willow Rosenberg, she was the wallflower of the Scooby Gang. But with her friends’ support, she quickly found her stride. Still, many of us could relate to her struggles with self-confidence and finding her place. As the series progressed, Willow’s magical abilities grew—yes, she went too far, but we’ll set that aside for now. Willow also became part of a same-sex couple at a time when LGBTQIA+ representation was rare on TV. The best part is that they didn’t make her sexuality her entire identity; it was just one part of who she was. Willow became a role model for a generation, showing that it’s more than okay to just be yourself.

#5: Ursula
“The Little Mermaid” (1989)

Do Disney villains get more fabulous than Ursula? She doesn’t need much screen time to whip up a storm of trouble. Banished from Triton’s kingdom for reasons unexplored in the 1989 Disney tale, Ursula thrives on making deals with merfolk that always tip the scales in her favor. While she’s as deceitful as they come, she’s surprisingly upfront about her intentions— Come on, Ariel, we know it’s a catchy tune, but maybe listen to what she’s actually saying! Modeled after drag queen Divine, Ursula is the ultimate unforgettable villain. She can switch from hilarious to terrifying in the blink of an eye. This sea witch’s magnetic presence keeps us hooked every second she’s on screen.

#4: The Charmed Ones
“Charmed” (1998–2006)

At its heart, the original “Charmed” series is about three powerful sisters using their magic to protect the innocent and battle evil. While it was full of fantasy, the show also tackled real themes like family, friendship, love, and personal growth. The Halliwell sisters’ struggles with their powers and personal lives made them relatable, drawing in a dedicated fan base. It became a pop culture phenomenon, and apparently, even some Wiccans were impressed with how it portrayed their beliefs and customs. The sisters bewitched us with their humor, heart, and, of course, loads of magic. After seeing them in action, who didn’t want to start their own “Power of Three” coven?

#3: The Sanderson Sisters
“Hocus Pocus” (1993)

Is there anything scarier than a trio of witches who feed on children to stay young? Definitely not if you’re a kid! The Sanderson sisters are resurrected by Max, a teenager who lights a Black Flame Candle, fulfilling an old curse. While we were definitely scared stiff whenever the Sanderson sisters appeared, we were also entranced by them. Their distinct personalities gave us plenty of laughs but also sent chills down our spines as they chased our heroes through Salem. The sisters put a spell on us from the moment we met them, making the film a cult classic for the spooky season. And as the 2022 sequel revealed, that spell still hasn’t worn off.

#2: Samantha Stephens
“Bewitched” (1964–72)

Get ready to wiggle your noses! Samantha is a witch who marries a mortal man, defying her family’s wishes. She tries to balance her magical powers with a normal life, and like any great comedy, things often go hilariously wrong—especially when her mother, Endora, shows up. Samantha works hard to fit into the non-magical world, but magic usually becomes her last-minute fix. She was a groundbreaking character who challenged gender roles and witchy stereotypes, showing that women could be strong, capable, and magical. Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Samantha, said that, to her, the show was about the fallout that comes with not letting people live as their true selves. Talk about ahead of its time!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Melisandre, “Game of Thrones” (2011–19)
Mysterious & Fascinating, This Witch Is a Force of Nature (& Fire & Shadows)

The Blair Witch, “The Blair Witch Project” (1999)
The Most Terrifying Witch We’ve Never Seen

The White Witch, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005)
Did It Just Get Cold in Here, or Is the White Witch Nearby?

The Coven, “The Craft” (1996)
And We Thought Our High School Had Some Witches!

The Grand High Witch, “The Witches” (1990)
That Unmasking Scene Still Haunts Our Nightmares

#1: Wicked Witch of the West
“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)

Few witches have struck fear into generations of children quite like this one. With only about 12 minutes of screen time, that’s impressive! However, did anyone else grow up feeling a bit sympathetic toward her and questioning if Glinda was really so good? “Wicked” gave us fresh perspectives on both characters, making them iconic in their own right. Yet, this green gal remains the most bewitching of them all. Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of Oz’s villain was so compelling that she reprised the role on “Sesame Street,” only to have the episode banned for being too scary. She even appeared on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” to reassure kids it was just make-believe. Even now, she can still chill us to the core.

Which pop culture witch would you want to start a coven with? Let us know in the comments!