Television series
W.I.T.C.H.
W.I.T.C.H. is a European-animated action-fantasy about five ordinary girls who discover they're magical guardians protecting dimensional portals. It's clever, visually inventive, and genuinely funny—pitched squarely at the early-2000s sweet spot where adventure had stakes and characters had real chemistry. Perfect for anyone who loved Saturday-morning cartoons but wanted them smarter.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you love a close-knit group of friends whose loyalty is tested by a sprawling fantasy world, and you don't mind a cartoon doing the heavy lifting on wonder.
Skip it if you need sharp, adult-leaning drama or a tight, fast plot; this is a gentle, kid-friendly adventure that spends a lot of time on talk and set-up.
What it asks of you: Half-hour episodes, fifty-two in all over two seasons, so it's a long but forgiving commitment that rewards settling in for a while rather than binge-tempo pacing.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
The Owl House2020
A witch-in-training learns magic in a demon realm while navigating genuine character growth and relationship complexity. Beautifully animated with humour that lands for adults and kids alike, and a mythology that deepens as it goes.
But The first few episodes feel slightly generic; it takes time to find its full voice and emotional depth.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power2018
Magical girls fighting an evil empire with the same blend of adventure, humour, and character investment W.I.T.C.H. had. Stunning animation and a cast of girls who feel like real people with actual stakes in every decision.
But The early seasons are lighter; the heavier dramatic elements take a few episodes to arrive if you're looking for immediate tension.
Amphibia2019
A girl stranded in a frog world learns magic and makes a ragtag team of allies. Excellent blend of humour and genuine danger, with character arcs that pay off and a plot that spirals in the best way.
But The monster-of-the-week format in season one might feel repetitive if you're after serialised storytelling from episode one.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from W.I.T.C.H.
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Jem1985
Both feature groups of girls with secret identities living double lives in normal cities, balancing friendship with missions others don't understand. Same DNA, radically different era and aesthetic.
1980s toy-based animated series about a girl leading a rock band with secret identities, solving crimes and helping orphans. Trashy and sincere in equal measure—genuinely entertaining and bizarrely more complex than its premise suggests.
But The animation is dated, the hair is enormous, and it runs on 1980s Saturday-morning logic where plot coherence is optional.
More like this (7)
Avatar: The Last Airbender2005
Five heroes with elemental powers fight tyranny across a richly imagined world. Perfectly paced action, flawless character development, and a narrative that builds to something genuinely epic and earned.
But It's foundational enough that you may have already seen it; if not, no hesitation—this is non-negotiable.
Winx Club2004
Italian animated series about magical girls at a fairy academy, with surprisingly strong character dynamics and a serialised story that escalates smartly. Visually colourful and genuinely engaging despite its reputation.
But The animation quality fluctuates and some seasons lean too hard into soap-opera plotting at the expense of plot clarity.
Glitch Techs2020
Two teens working at a video game store discover they're secretly fighting digital monsters. Fast-paced, funny, with genuine camaraderie and a mystery that unfolds satisfyingly across both seasons.
But It was cancelled after two seasons on a cliffhanger, so you won't get the ending it earned.
Craig of the Creek2018
A group of kids on an adventure in a creek, solving mysteries and helping each other through ordinary challenges that feel genuinely important. Warm, funny, and structured more like a community than a team of heroes.
But It's slower-paced and lower-stakes than W.I.T.C.H.; if you're after constant action and magical battles, this grounds itself in real-world problems.
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts2020
A girl discovers a post-apocalyptic world full of mutant creatures and finds her found family. Excellent colour work, genuinely inventive world-building, and a tone that balances whimsy with real consequence.
But The early episodes are lighter and more exploratory; the larger plot takes time to reveal itself, which can feel meandering.
Carole & Tuesday2019
Both use the framework of a girl group discovering powers and friendship as the real magic. W.I.T.C.H. was portal-based adventure; this is concert-hall based but the emotional engine is identical.
Two girls meet on Mars, form a music duo, and navigate fame while uncovering a conspiracy. Gorgeously animated in a retro-futuristic style with real emotional stakes, genuinely surprising twists, and a perspective on friendship that feels earned.
But It's slower and more introspective than action-driven fantasy; if you're chasing magical battles, this trades them for character and music.
Young Justice2010
Both are ensemble shows about young people discovering teamwork under pressure. But where W.I.T.C.H. was Saturday morning, this is primetime—same story shape, infinitely more cynical and layered.
DC's sidekicks form a covert team, growing from kids into young adults across five seasons of escalating stakes. Surprisingly dense mythology, complex interpersonal drama, and willingness to let consequences reshape the story permanently.
But It's rooted in DC Comics continuity so dense you may need wiki-diving; also explicitly grimdark in places where W.I.T.C.H. balanced darkness with lightness.
