20 Best Movie Witches of All Time | Witchy Cinema Icons & Candle Pairings

Witches have long cast a powerful spell over the silver screen. Whether they’re sinister sorceresses, wise women of the woods, or misunderstood outcasts, witches embody a unique mix of mystery, strength, and magic. Their stories often explore themes of transformation, vengeance, self-discovery, and power — themes that resonate across genres and generations.A split image features Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus, Ravenna in Snow White And The Huntsman, and Lamia in Stardust

As Halloween draws near or anytime fans crave a good dose of cinematic enchantment, these witches remind us that magic can be as dangerous as it is beautiful. From the charmingly good to the deliciously wicked, here are the 20 best movie witches of all time — and the spellbinding scents from Aarka Origins that pair perfectly with each one.


1. Hermione Granger – Harry Potter Series

One of the most beloved and iconic witches of all time, Hermione Granger stands out not just for her magical prowess but for her sharp mind, loyalty, and fierce sense of justice. A brilliant student at Hogwarts, Hermione’s deep knowledge of spells, potions, and magical creatures often saves her friends from peril.

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger brandishing her wand in Harry Potter

Her style of magic is structured, scholarly, and precise — a perfect match for Aarka Origins’ Witch’s Journal Soy Candle – Wild Sage + Chamomile + Citrus + Magic. This scent evokes an old wizard's study filled with ancient books and wisdom.

Witch's Journal Soy Candle from Aarka Origins – wild sage, chamomile, citrus magic blend in mystical jar


2. Nancy Downs – The Craft

Nancy Downs is the definitive 1990s witch — rebellious, powerful, and completely unhinged. Played with intense ferocity by Fairuza Balk, Nancy’s descent into madness and power-hungry chaos is both tragic and terrifying. She doesn't just dabble in magic — she consumes it, letting it consume her right back.

A closeup of Nancy Downs (Fairuza Balk) in The Craft

Her intensity and emotional chaos call for a darker, fruit-laced scent like Persephone Soy Candle – Pomegranate + Dark Cherry + Blood Orange + Honey — sweet, rich, and shadowy, much like Nancy herself.

Forest Witch Soy Candle from Aarka Origins – earthy forest scent with apple and cinnamon bark


3. The Sanderson Sisters – Hocus Pocus

No witch list is complete without the Sanderson Sisters: Winifred, Sarah, and Mary. These three are as entertaining as they are dangerous, using their powers to steal the youth of children and ensure their immortality. With Winifred’s commanding voice, Sarah’s siren-like charm, and Mary’s child-tracking sniff, they are a formidable (and hilarious) trio.

The Sanderson sisters in the woods in Hocus Pocus 2

For their whimsical, mischievous nature, Strawberry Picking Soy Candle – Juicy Strawberries + Whimsical Magic perfectly captures their playful and youthful essence — with just a hint of danger.

Strawberry Picking Soy Candle by Aarka Origins – juicy strawberry fragrance with whimsical summer vibes


4. Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) – Marvel Cinematic Universe

From grief-stricken Avenger to world-altering witch, Wanda Maximoff is one of the most powerful sorceresses in cinematic history. Her journey through pain, loss, and power is deeply moving — and chilling. “WandaVision” finally cements her place in pop culture as the Scarlet Witch, a being capable of rewriting reality.

Wanda Maximoff with glowing red eyes in WandaVision

Her blend of raw emotion and immense power suits the complex fragrance of Scars Like Stars Soy Candle – Green Leaves + Pear + Cinnamon + Woods — a scent that layers warmth, mystery, and depth.

Scars Like Stars Soy Candle – Aarka Origins blend of green leaves, pear, and cinnamon woods


5. Queen Ravenna – Snow White and the Huntsman

Charlize Theron’s Queen Ravenna is the very embodiment of vanity, power, and fear. Consuming the beauty of others to maintain her own, she casts an icy presence with her dark magic and shape-shifting abilities. She is beauty weaponized — cruel and commanding.

Charlize Theron as Ravenna in The Huntsman: Winter's War

A chilling forest aroma like Forest Witch Soy Candle – Forest Apple + Cinnamon Bark mirrors Ravenna’s cold, ancient, and hauntingly regal nature.

Forest Witch Soy Candle from Aarka Origins – earthy forest scent with apple and cinnamon bark


6. Kiki – Kiki’s Delivery Service

As sweet and sincere as any witch can be, Kiki flies into our hearts in Studio Ghibli’s classic tale. Though young and only capable of flight at first, her story of independence, kindness, and personal growth is universally relatable.

Kiki flying over the city on her broom in Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki’s world is full of sunshine, pastries, and gentle winds — a gentle contrast to darker witches. A scent like Strawberry Picking Soy Candle suits her youthful optimism and sweetness.

Strawberry Picking Soy Candle by Aarka Origins – juicy strawberry fragrance with whimsical summer vibes


7. Lamia – Stardust

Michelle Pfeiffer returns to witchy territory in Stardust as Lamia, a powerful crone who seeks the heart of a fallen star to regain her youth. Her magic is potent, her ambition endless, and her transformation from radiant to grotesque is a haunting reminder of the cost of vanity.

Lamia points a finger and uses her power in Stardust

The richly layered Persephone Soy Candle pairs perfectly with Lamia’s seductive and rotting elegance — fruity on the surface, but with a dark undercurrent.

Persephone Soy Candle – pomegranate, dark cherry, blood orange, and honey aroma by Aarka Origins


8. Eglantine Price – Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Played by Angela Lansbury, Eglantine is a warm-hearted but unconventional witch-in-training who attempts to use magic to help Britain during WWII. Her adventure is filled with charm and whimsy, even if her spellwork is occasionally a bit off.

Eglantine Prince holding her glasses in a library in Bedknobs and Broomsticks

For her homey and hopeful magic, Witch’s Journal Soy Candle is a fitting tribute to her cottage, her spellbooks, and her practical nature.


9. Helena Markos – Suspiria

Known as Mater Suspiriorum, Helena Markos is the ancient evil at the heart of Suspiria. As head of a dance academy, she hides her true form while draining life to maintain her power. She is terrifying in both versions of the film, and her mythos grows darker with every scene.

Helena Markos in Suspiria with her eyes closed

A truly sinister witch like Helena calls for no sweetness — only shadows. The Scars Like Stars Soy Candle channels a moody, earth-laced profile that evokes hidden rituals and blood-soaked secrets.


10. The Owens Sisters – Practical Magic

Sally and Gillian Owens, portrayed by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, are two sisters with inherited magical gifts — and a family curse. Their bond, along with their unique approach to love, loss, and power, makes them two of the most grounded and beloved witches in cinema.

Sally stands by while Gilly sits on the counter in the kitchen in Practical Magic

Their soft, herbal approach to potion-making and spellwork fits beautifully with Witch’s Journal Soy Candle — ideal for love spells and midnight rituals under the moon.


11. Marnie Piper – Halloweentown

In the realm of family-friendly witches, Marnie Piper stands tall. Learning of her magical heritage in Halloweentown, she trains under her grandmother Aggie to fight dark forces and embrace her lineage. Across four movies, Marnie grows into her powers and her role as a protector.

A split image features Kimberly J. Brown and Sarah Paxton as Marnie Piper in Halloweentown

Marnie’s autumnal, festive energy makes the Forest Witch Soy Candle the ideal match. It smells like Halloween magic and crisp October evenings.


12. Ursula the Sea Witch – The Little Mermaid

Ursula is cunning, theatrical, and delightfully wicked. She deceives Ariel into trading her voice for legs, reveling in the chaos that ensues. Her magical contracts and sea spells make her one of the most iconic Disney villains.

Ursula smiles in The Little Mermaid

For her dark, aquatic allure, Persephone Soy Candle gives a sense of undersea danger — sweet, rich, and deceiving.

13. Princess Asa Vajda – Black Sunday

Barbara Steele’s performance as Princess Asa Vajda in Black Sunday is iconic in gothic horror. Burned at the stake for witchcraft and vampirism, Asa returns two centuries later to seek revenge on her descendants. The holes in her face from the iron mask make her terrifying, while her telepathy and necromancy solidify her status as a true dark sorceress.

Princess Asa Vajda being forced to wear a mask in Black Sunday

Asa’s presence is earthy, ancient, and undeniably sinister. She pairs well with the evocative tones of Scars Like Stars Soy Candle – Green Leaves + Pear + Cinnamon + Woods — a candle as brooding and mysterious as Asa herself.

Scars Like Stars Soy Candle – Aarka Origins blend of green leaves, pear, and cinnamon woods


14. The White Witch – The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Tilda Swinton’s White Witch is elegance turned icy. She rules Narnia through eternal winter, turning enemies to stone with a flick of her wand and manipulating Edmund with enchanted Turkish delight. Her fearsome reign and striking visual presence leave a long-lasting impression.

Tilda Swinton as the White Witch standing in her sleigh in The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

To complement her frosty dominion and wintry spellwork, Forest Witch Soy Candle – Forest Apple + Cinnamon Bark captures the scent of a snow-covered orchard under a curse.


15. The Witch – Into the Woods

Meryl Streep’s portrayal in Into the Woods delivers the archetypal fairy tale witch with complexity and style. Initially appearing as a curse-casting antagonist, her motivations stem from pain and loss. She both nurtures and manipulates, offering a blend of villainy and maternal love — especially toward Rapunzel.

The Witch erupts into the Baker's home in Into The Woods

Her personality mirrors the contradiction of Witch’s Journal Soy Candle – Wild Sage + Chamomile + Citrus + Magic — a layered scent that is part healing herb, part mystic spellwork.


16. Lady Van Tassel – Sleepy Hollow

Miranda Richardson’s Lady Van Tassel is elegant, cold, and merciless. Orchestrating deaths using the Headless Horseman, she is a master of deceit, revenge, and blood magic. She murders her way into power, showing no hesitation in sacrificing others — including her own family.

Lady Van Tassel using an ax in Sleepy Hollow

Such calculated cruelty and forest-driven dark arts are echoed in the spicy woods and green undertones of Scars Like Stars Soy Candle. It feels like a hidden grove where evil rituals unfold under moonlight.

Scars Like Stars Soy Candle – Aarka Origins blend of green leaves, pear, and cinnamon woods


17. Alexandra, Jane, & Sukie – The Witches of Eastwick

Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer bring charm, sensuality, and elemental power to this iconic trio. Representing the Triple Goddess in modern witchcraft lore, these women awaken their true potential only after falling under — and then rebelling against — the influence of the devilish Daryl Van Horne.

Jane, Alex, and Sukie stab a wax doll with needles in The Witches of Eastwick

The power they gain from embracing their womanhood and unity deserves a romantic, sultry candle. Persephone Soy Candle – Pomegranate + Dark Cherry + Blood Orange + Honey reflects their lush, vibrant, and dangerously alluring magic.


18. Minnie Castevet – Rosemary’s Baby

At first glance, Minnie Castevet seems like a nosy old neighbor. But beneath the surface lies one of cinema’s most cunning witches. Minnie helps orchestrate a demonic pact, manipulates Rosemary’s pregnancy, and ushers in the Antichrist — all under the guise of grandmotherly care and herbal drinks.

Minnie Castevet through a peephole in Rosemary's Baby

This deceptive facade and her disturbing rituals suit the grounded, camouflaged spellwork of Witch’s Journal Soy Candle — the type of scent that could quietly mask something much more sinister.


19. Eva Ernst/The Grand High Witch – The Witches

Anjelica Huston’s performance in The Witches is horrifying and unforgettable. Eva Ernst, leader of all witches, hides beneath a glamorous facade to conceal her grotesque true form. Her plan to eliminate all children using magical chocolate is as disturbing as her appearance.

A close up of the Grand High Witch in The Witches

Eva’s grandeur and gruesomeness call for a complex scent — a mix of sweetness with a sharp twist. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Strawberry Picking Soy Candle – Juicy Strawberries + Whimsical Magic — playful on the outside, but not without menace.

Scars Like Stars Soy Candle – Aarka Origins blend of green leaves, pear, and cinnamon woods


20. The Wicked Witch of the West – The Wizard of Oz

The quintessential witch, Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch of the West shaped the public image of witches for decades. Her green skin, black hat, broomstick, and army of flying monkeys define a cinematic archetype. She is ruthless in her quest for the ruby slippers and melts into pop culture immortality with her death.

The Wicked Witch Of The West intimidates Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz

For such a legendary figure, a bold and grounded scent like Forest Witch Soy Candle is the perfect pairing — earthy, dramatic, and iconic.


Why Witches Endure in Cinema

Across horror, fantasy, family films, and thrillers, witches remain some of the most powerful and compelling figures in film. They embody themes of transformation, rebellion, independence, and mystery. Whether portrayed as heroines or villains, their presence signals a confrontation with forces beyond the ordinary — and often within ourselves.

From The Craft’s high school coven to Harry Potter's classrooms, and Stardust’s magical quests to Suspiria’s twisted rites, witches are symbols of fear and freedom, depending on the perspective. What makes these 20 witches unforgettable isn’t just their power — it’s how they wield it, what it costs them, and what they represent to us.


Explore the Magic with Aarka Origins

If the magic of witches has enchanted you, let that spell continue in your own home with Aarka Origins — where literature meets fragrance, and memory meets magic.

Aarka Origins crafts luxury, eco-friendly, and non-toxic soy candles that are more than just scent — they are portals to stories, places, and emotions. Whether you long for the herbal whisper of a hidden forest or the nostalgic scent of an ancient tome, there’s a candle waiting to bring that magic alive.

Each fragrance is inspired by rich narratives, from myth to movie, fairy tale to folklore:

  • 🌿 Witch’s Journal: For quiet evenings of journaling, reading, or spellcraft.

  • 🍓 Strawberry Picking: Light-hearted, vibrant, and perfectly playful.

  • 🍒 Persephone: Sweet with shadow — lush, rich, and royal.

  • 🍏 Forest Witch: Evokes walks through fallen leaves and apple groves.

  • 🍐 Scars Like Stars: A journey of resilience and healing in scent form.

Whether you’re a practicing witch, a seasonal decorator, a fantasy enthusiast, or a scent-lover seeking peace, Aarka Origins brings the story home. These are more than candles — they are experiences.


Final Thoughts

From terrifying matriarchs to misunderstood heroines, witches continue to captivate audiences for good reason. They reflect the evolving narrative of female power, rebellion, and transformation. These movie witches each leave their mark on the screen — and in our imaginations.

So the next time you light a candle, let it do more than scent your space. Let it cast a spell — of calm, courage, or creativity. With Aarka Origins, every flame tells a story.