Film

The Worst Witch

Name: The Worst Witch
Genre: TV Movie, Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Music
Released: 1986
Cast: Diana Rigg, Charlotte Rae, Tim Curry, Fairuza Balk, Sabina Franklyn

Other titles called The Worst Witch: the 1998 series (ITV1), the 2017 series (CBBC).

Fantasy
Light-hearted

A charmingly wonky 1986 TV movie where Fairuza Balk's accident-prone Mildred stumbles through witch academy while an evil twin plots chaos. It's deliberately theatrical, slightly ramshackle, and genuinely sweet—the kind of thing that knows exactly what it is and doesn't apologize. For anyone who loves '80s fantasy camp, British eccentricity, and stories where misfits matter.

TMDb rating

3.1

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you have a soft spot for cosy, slightly silly school stories where the underdog gets her moment, and you don't mind a few songs breaking into the plot.

Skip it if you want a sharp, grown-up comedy or anything with real menace, since the stakes stay gentle and the songs and sets feel very much of their era.

What it asks of you: Seventy minutes, brisk and bright, with a steady bounce and little lingering; it wants light attention rather than patience, and it moves on before you tire.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone2001

The definitive magical school story: beautifully realized world-building, genuine warmth, and a protagonist who feels like she belongs exactly where she is. The production design alone is worth your evening.

But It's the beginning of a massive franchise, so commitment anxiety. Also, it skews younger than you might remember.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone poster

Matilda1996

A girl everyone underestimates discovers her own power and rewrites her story. It's funny, visually inventive, and lands its emotional moments without ever feeling manipulative or saccharine.

But Heavily reliant on kids' performances, which can be uneven. Some of the humor depends on understanding the Roald Dahl tone.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina2018

Witchcraft academy, but darker and more sincere. It takes its mythology seriously while keeping that adolescent outsider energy, and the cast commits fully to both horror and heart.

But Tonal whiplash between campy horror and genuine darkness. Gets increasingly grimdark as it progresses; not everyone wants their comfort show to go there.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from The Worst Witch

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

The Dark Crystal1982

Both are low-budget '80s British fantasy that refuse to apologize for being handmade. Both believe in their worlds completely and make you believe too.

A fantasy adventure told entirely through puppetry—no actors at all. It's visually alien and absolutely committed to its world. A different kind of magic entirely, but the feeling of stumbling into a fully-realized realm is identical.

But Watching puppets for 93 minutes requires a specific openness. It's also genuinely creepy in places, which might clash with your mood.

Halloweentown1998

A girl discovers her family's secret magic heritage and steps into a world that needs her. It's optimistic, colorful, and completely unpretentious about being exactly the story it wants to be.

But The special effects are dated in a way that might feel more cheap than charming. Very specifically pitched at late-'90s Disney Channel sensibility.

The Owl House2020

Animated series about a human girl who crash-lands in a demon world and finds her place at a witch academy. Gorgeous worldbuilding, genuinely funny, and handles character growth with real grace.

But Animation style takes an episode or two to warm to. Early episodes are good but not great; it hits its stride after a few eps.

A Dark Song2016

A woman seeks out a reclusive occultist to attempt a dangerous ritual. Slow, meditative, and shot through with genuine spiritual longing. It's about transformation, not spectacle.

But Deliberately paced. If you want plot momentum or magical action sequences, this is meditation disguised as cinema.

Practical Magic1998

Two sisters dealing with a family curse and their own complicated relationship with magic. Funny, romantic, genuinely spooky, with a cast that seems to be having the time of their lives.

But Tonal shifts between romance, comedy, and horror can feel scattered. Some '90s romance plotting that doesn't quite hold up.

Moana2016

Both center on a girl who's 'bad at magic' discovering that her supposed failures are actually her strength. Same emotional engine, wildly different budgets.

A girl everyone expects to fail sets out to prove them wrong. It's musically gorgeous, genuinely funny, and handles its protagonist's journey with real emotional intelligence. The animation is stunning.

But Massive studio production—glossy where The Worst Witch is ramshackle. If you love specifically that low-budget theater energy, this is the opposite.

The NeverEnding Story1984

Both are '80s fantasy where a misfit kid discovers their worth by believing in a world that believes in them. Both have that specific handmade magical quality.

A boy enters a magical book where his choices matter and his self-doubt is literally the enemy. It's heartbreaking, visually inventive, and genuinely about the power of belief and persistence.

But Can feel dated and slow to modern viewers. Some of the emotional beats land harder if you're young or in the right headspace.