The 7 Best Cozy Witch Movies To Watch While You Wait For ‘Practical Magic 2’
Practical Magic (1998) isn't a perfect movie, but it's the kind of cozy witch movie that essentially warrants its own subgenre. It's what started an obsession that's lingered like an old spell and a familiar charm.
Comforting, nostalgic, and fun, there's something indescribable about how deeply the movie resonates with those of us who grew up with it. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman make a flawless team as the Owens sisters, and the coastal New England town is the kind of cottagecore escape we're all yearning for these days.
With Practical Magic 2 (2026) set to release later this year, we're fully back in our witchy mood despite it not being Fall yet, so here are some of the best movies to revisit on streaming platforms like Prime Video, Disney+, and more, while we wait. And if you're looking for TV perfection, I always find myself going back to A Discovery of Witches (2018) for the same cozy vibes.
The original is an obvious must-watch, for countless reasons, but more importantly, because no matter how good the sequel might be, it'll never top our introduction to the Owens women. Practical Magic is the definition of cottagecore cozy witchy fall because it's equal parts comforting and a little scary, making it the perfect movie for every type of witch fan.
From sisterhood to romance and the '90s aesthetic, everything about Practical Magic screams perfection. And it gets better and better with every viewing when we recognize just how much shows and movies back then gave us brightness in all forms. Everything was prettier and more kaleidoscopic—vivid in a way that's tragically rare today. And because a lot of us were younger when these movies came out, the nostalgia hits harder the older we get. Bottom line is, if you loved the sisterhood in Wicked (2024) but hoped for a happier ending, Practical Magic has you covered.
Everyone has that one Studio Ghibli movie that they consider to be top-tier perfection, and the one they'll always choose when someone asks them for a favorite. For me, it'll always be Howl's Moving Castle. While the witchy portion of the movie is more on the curse side, the story is still an indescribably whimsical adventure that's perfect for romance and found family fans.
There's a warmth in Howl's Moving Castle that's unlike any of Hayao Miyazaki's films, in that it feels so specifically made for the '90s kids who were (and still are) obsessed with Beauty and the Beast (1991). Curses and talking creatures, and the most endearing, unlikely love story blossoming in forced proximity. It's charming, gorgeously animated, profoundly moving in every theme it explores, and the best kind of cozy witchy movie that I'm convinced everyone would love.
While the witches in Hocus Pocus don't exactly give off cozy vibes, the entire movie is an autumn dream, making it a yearly must-watch. From the moment the movie starts, and we see a figure run through a mountain of fallen leaves, everything about Salem comes to life gorgeously. Like Practical Magic, it's the lighting and colors that make these classics near-impossible to replicate. And as great as Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) is in providing a heartwarming backstory to the Sanderson sisters, the glow of the original is unrivaled.
It's Alison's house and all her outfits too that provide something extra cozy, because let's be real, while most of us were probably Danny's age when we watched the movie, we likely grew up wanting to be just like Alison, right? Effortlessly cool and a little whimsical. Black cats, witches, zombies, and spells, cobbled with ridiculous jokes and enamoring performances from the whole cast, there's a reason Hocus Pocus is the quintessential witch movie for every type of spooky season fan.
If, like me, the first Studio Ghibli film you watched was the iconic Spirited Away (2001), but you wanted something more whimsical and bright, then I hope you're also aware of the magic in Kiki's Delivery Service. The titular character is joy personified, and so well written that it makes for a perfect story about purpose and destiny as well as a tender coming-of-age account.
Like most cozy witch movies on this list, we also have a delightful black cat sidekick that completes the puzzle and effortlessly contributes to the thematic relevance of finding oneself. Brimming with Hayao Miyazaki's breathtaking colors and inimitable animation techniques, this one's for the girls who grew up with the whimsy etched inside of them. Kiki would've fit in perfectly with the younger Owens girls, Kylie and Antonia.
Teen Witch, like Casper Meets Wendy (1998), sometimes feels like a fever dream that I conjured myself because it's not every witch fan who remembers it as closely as I do. It's the quintessential teen drama that features the nerdy girl wanting to be popular, but this time, her "makeover" comes in the form of a prophecy fulfillment and her powers finding her on her sixteenth birthday.
It's dreamy, delightful, and achingly sweet, with one of the best school dance scenes that adds magic to the ordinary in a really lovely way. It's the kind of scene that makes coming-of-age films so remarkably nostalgic, and it's something that's always lived rent-free in my mind, especially with the needle drop of "Finest Hour." If you love teen dramas and shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996), few things top the nostalgic magic in Teen Witch. It's also one of the most underrated movies from the late '80s and feels like the best kind of warm hug.
Nicole Kidman playing another witch outside of Gillian Owens in Practical Magic? Yes, please. Say less. And while the movie version of Bewitched isn't as perfect as the classic series, Bewitched (1964), it's still an enjoyable ride worthy of watching solely for the cast. It's fun and whimsical, and the exact type of cozy witchy movie that people who prefer lighter content would appreciate.
More than anything, it's a Nora Ephron film, and as the queen of rom-coms, it deserves tireless praise solely for her vision and the fact that everything she touched was full of immense heart. It's not every remake that works, but it's obvious right from the start that there's care placed at the center of this version, making it one that's worthy of recognition despite its understandable flaws. So if you want something that'll bring romance and comedy, look no further.
There's nothing Jimmy Stewart can't do, and when you pair him with Kim Novak—see also Vertigo (1958)—you get magic. Bell, Book and Candle is a delightful classic witchy romantic comedy that's glistening with bright colors and stunning performances in every scene. It's got all the conventional tropes that are usually present in movies and TV shows surrounding witches, and it does a gorgeous job of navigating through them.
Funnily, the movie is a recent discovery for me, which is actually quite a shame because it's so delightful, I don't know how it didn't cross my radar before. Some of the best classic movies are the underrated ones, and this one's perfect for Bewitched fans who want a romance that's brimming with excellent chemistry and a little whimsy.
