30 years later, The Craft is still the best witch movie of all time
The Craft, Andrew Fleming’s 1996 film about teenage witchcraft, celebrates its 30th anniversary this week with its status as one of cinema’s most beloved witch movies firmly intact. The film, which follows four misfit teens who form a powerful bond through witchcraft before their alliance crumbles due to interpersonal conflict, has maintained near-universal recognition as a standout entry in the witch movie subgenre.
The film’s enduring appeal lies in its nuanced portrayal of female adolescence filtered through a supernatural lens. Rather than relying on traditional horror tropes, Fleming crafted a narrative that explores the complexities of teenage friendship, power dynamics, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The ensemble cast delivered breakout performances that helped elevate the material and contributed to the film’s cultural longevity.
When ranked against other notable witch films—including classics like Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic, psychological horror entries like The Witch, and the dreamlike surrealism of Suspiria—The Craft consistently emerges as a fan favorite. Its combination of accessible storytelling, authentic character work, and thematic depth has allowed it to resonate across generations of viewers since its theatrical release.