The Witches
The Witches Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Movie Overview: The Witches
| Movie | The Witches |
| Release Year | 1990 |
| Director | Nicolas Roeg |
| Genre | Fantasy / Family / Horror |
| Runtime | 91 minutes (1h 31m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Witches (1990) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Fantasy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Witches are led by Jasen Fisher . The supporting cast, including Mai Zetterling and Anjelica Huston , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Witches stands out as a strong entry in the Fantasy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Fantasy narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Witches has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Fantasy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Witches
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1990, The Witches is a Fantasy, Family, Horror film directed by Nicolas Roeg, written by Allan Scott. The narrative transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jasen Fisher as Luke Eveshim.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. While staying at a hotel in England with his grandmother, Helga, a young boy named Luke inadvertently spies on a convention of witches. The Grand High Witch reveals a plan to turn all children into mice via a magical formula. When they discover the eavesdropper, the witches test the formula on him. Now, with the help of Helga and hotel manager Mr Stringer, Luke the mouse must fight back against the witches. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The Witches establishes its world and central conflict efficiently, with Nicolas Roeg introducing Jasen Fisher as Luke Eveshim in the opening act, and over its 91-minute runtime, the pacing proves deliberate.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Jasen Fisher's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings the narrative threads together, with Jasen Fisher's arc reaching resolution. Nicolas Roeg's handling of the finale provides adequate resolution.
Ending Explained: The Witches
The Witches Ending Explained: Directed by Nicolas Roeg, The Witches resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core fantasy themes developed throughout the film.
The final moments emphasize tension and lingering uncertainty, particularly in scenes involving Jasen Fisher. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the fantasy themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Witches reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Witches?
Age Advisory: Rated PG.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Fantasy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jasen Fisher or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Witches
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $11.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $15.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Witches Budget
The estimated production budget for The Witches is $11.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Where to Watch The Witches Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Witches Parents Guide & Age Rating
1990 AdvisoryWondering about The Witches age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Witches (1990) is 91 minutes (1h 31m). Directed by Nicolas Roeg, the film runs for 91 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Witches is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1990 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Witches worth watching?
The Witches is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Witches parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Witches identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Witches (1990)?
The runtime of The Witches (1990) is 91 minutes (approximately 1h 31m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
