From fairy tales to the modern classic that has become Harry Potter, stories of witches and wizards have always fascinated young and old alike. Beyond a card trick or two, for most people magic is accessible only through fiction. With its infinite possibilities that go beyond the limits of reality, there is nothing imaginable that a witch, warlock, magician, wizard - or other unique and somewhat extravagant name for what amounts to the same thing - cannot do.
Today we flee from a boring reality in which unfortunately we can't get flames out of our hands or move objects by snapping our fingers no matter how hard we try - and believe us... it's been tried - and we present to you the best witch series on Netflix and HBO.
Top 10 Best Witch Series on Netflix and HBO
Whether it's classic witches in pointy hats and flying broomsticks, or modern witches using their magic to avoid rush hour traffic jams or warm up a coffee that's gone cold, the fantastical character of the witch, wizard or sorceress doesn't seem to have an expiration date.
The following selection of witch series demonstrates this very well, as you can find classics, remakes of classics, as well as series fresh out of the oven from Netflix or HBO. We leave you with the best ones!
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Also known as The Hidden World of Sabrina in Spanish America, this series premiered in 2018, but its protagonist has already participated in so many previous adventures in the world of witchcraft that her name will sound to most. And is that the series is based on the comics of the same name (2014), which in turn are a darker version of the comics of the 70s, which in turn also inspired a "sitcom" series in the 90s and even more projects. It's all a bit complicated, but that's what success is all about.
Our already known Sabrina is a teenager with a dilemma like so many others... choosing between the world of witches and the world of humans, not without external problems, of course. Although the series includes impeccable aesthetics and many comic and quirky moments, fans of the 90's/2000's series should not expect a simple remake, because, as the title indicates, the series makes sure to show us how creepy Sabrina's adventures can be, a magical mix of horror and fun!
- Seasons: 2 (4 parts in total)
- Release Year: October 2018
- Platform: Netflix
Shadow and Bone.
Premiering this year with the promise of a second season already, Shadow and Bone has been a hit because of its praised adaptation of the popular young adult book saga of the same name written by Leigh Bardugo. The series is a must-see for fans of the saga, as it is an innovative story that includes other characters and stories from different books by the author. Even so, Shadow and Bone can also be enjoyed by anyone who doesn't know the characters, as the fantasy world it presents is as fascinating as it is dangerous.
Shadow and Bone doesn't call the characters capable of magic "witches" - they're called "grisha," which is more mysterious - but their control of the elements and other magical abilities makes them basically the cool cousins of the lifelong witch. Alina, our protagonist, is one of them without knowing it, and the discovery of her abilities turns her life upside down, as she's used to drawing maps for war and hanging out with her best friend Mal. And magic is often accompanied by all sorts of problems...
- Seasons: 1 (for now)
- Release year: April 2021
- Platform: Netflix
Always a Witch
Siempre bruja is another one of the best witch series of the moment. It's another adaptation of a book - in this case"Yo, bruja" by Isadora Chacón - "Siempre bruja" is a Colombian offering that tells us about a young 17th century witch who narrowly escapes her death sentence and is sent from the past to the present to try to remedy her tragic love story. Here she will have to try to fulfill her mission while she struggles to control her powers, and to understand a little bit how it all goes in the present...
It's a romantic comedy with a fantasy protagonist - played by Angely Gaviria - that is a breath of fresh air among the mainly American catalogue that floods the series platforms.
- Seasons: 2
- Premiere Year: 2019
- Platform: Netflix
American Horror Story: Coven
Those familiar with the quirky format of American Horror Story will know that while all the seasons have the common denominator of being terrifying as hell, the themes of each are so different and varied that there's really something for everyone. The third season, called "Coven", deals with the theme of witchcraft from its characteristic creepy point of view.
Following the structure of American Horror Story, the season keeps the actors of the series (such as Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Emma Roberts and Evan Peters among others), but radically changes the plot, setting and characters. This time, the story focuses on the present (with flashbacks, yes) in a coven of witches in New Orleans fighting for their survival. The season received very good reviews and remains one of the best rated of the series. Of all the witches on the list, these witches are the ones you'll find in your nightmares.
- Seasons: 1, the third of 9 (soon to be 10) seasons of the series.
- Release year: October 2013
- Platform: Netflix
Fate: The Winx Sagafate: The Winx Saga
We continue to get to know the most interesting witch series. Premiering in 2021, the Netflix series Fate: The Winx Saga is an adaptation of the popular animated series Winx Club that has given much to talk about among all those who have childhood memories of these animated fairies (whose series continues today, by the way). Bloom, a fairy with fire powers, has grown up among humans, but now, with the help of her new friends, she will have to adapt and fight in the magical world.
Although the new series is inspired by the original and follows Bloom as she arrives at the magical school for fairies, the content is adapted to a current and slightly older audience, and what were clearly fairies in the cartoon are closer to the typical witch/mage profile we know so well - who knew that the absence of wings could change everything so much...
- Seasons: 1, but has already been renewed for a second one
- Premiere year: January 2021
- Platform: Netflix
Legacies
From magic school to magic school, Legacies is billed as a sort of "spin-off" of the popularseries The Originals and The Vampire Diaries. While the previous series included all sorts of supernatural characters, focusing on vampires, Legacies seems to put witches and their powers at the center to tell the story of Hope Mikaelson, who has the distinction of being descended from a powerful family of both witches and vampires and werewolves - she's hit the supernatural lottery, let's just say. The series follows her and her schoolmates, their relationships and the problems they encounter with their powers.
While fans of the previous series will recognize some of the characters, storylines and references, the series can be followed on its own without prior knowledge of the saga, and is ideal for anyone who would have liked to see a Hogwards with vampire and werewolf students.
- Seasons: 3, renewed for a 4th.
- Release year: October 2018
- Platform: HBO
Charmed
Another remake of a classic in the world of witchcraft fiction, the Charmed series is a reboot of the original story of the same name aired between 1998 and 2006. Mel and Maggie's mother passes away under mysterious circumstances, and soon the sisters discover the existence of an older sister, Macy. From here, the three will begin to receive magical powers and will have to accept their destiny as the most powerful trio of witches and fight demons and supernatural creatures.
Although the main plot follows the original story, the new series incorporates several changes, one of the biggest being the shift to a family of Afro-Latin sisters. A supernatural drama with an emphasis on family that both fans of the original and newcomers to the story can enjoy. For the more nostalgic there's always the original witches, but the first series unfortunately isn't on these streaming platforms.
- Seasons: 3, renewed for a 4th.
- Release year: October 2018
- Platform: HBO
The Worst Witch
The Worst Witch is another one of the most highly recommended witch series. A British-German co-production, The Worst Witch (or The Worst Witch) is a proposal aimed at children's audiences who, like everyone else, love this supernatural subgenre. The series is based on the saga of children's novels of the same name written and illustrated by Jill Murphy. The story already has several adaptations, including a series that aired between 1998 and 2001.
It's clear that being a witch goes hand in hand with education, as The Worst Witch is also set in a magic academy for young witches, where we meet Mildred Hubble and follow her quirky and magical adventures at school. Mildred is a bit of a clumsy witch, having grown up in a family with no powers, but her journey of learning will be a fun one no doubt.
- Seasons: 4
- Release Year: January 2017
- Platform: Netflix
Luna Nera
Witches, history, 17th century and also in Italy? You can't ask for more! This series arrived last year on Netflix deals with the - unfortunately real - era of witch hunts, focusing on a group of women accused of doing black magic who live together at the edge of the forest. Young protagonist Ade will seek refuge among them after being accused, but everything is more difficult when there's a love story involved... with the son of a witch hunter to boot!
The story incorporates elements of local Italian legends and true stories, as well as being written, directed and produced entirely by women - a great way to enjoy the Italian countryside with a fascinating story!
- Seasons: 1
- Premiere Year: January 2020
- Platform: Netflix
Good Witch
A classic Hallmark series for the whole family, Good Witch is a simple series that doesn't require a lot of concentration or mind games, but is now in its 6th season. The series combines everyday with small elements of magic as it follows the life of Cassie Nightingale, who lives in a small American town with her teenage daughter, and who develops a special relationship with skeptical newcomer doctor Sam Radford.
It may not be the most exciting choice on the list, but Good Witch is a good choice for a quiet Sunday breakfast to enjoy magic without rushing or danger - and there are witches for everyone!
- Seasons: 6
- Release Year: February 2015
- Platform: Netflix
Finally, we also want to make special mention to other very good witchcraft series that neither Netflix nor HBO have in their lists, but that deserve to be named: The Discovery of Witches (Movistar Plus, fuboTV), Salem, Motherland: Fort Salem (Prime Video, Hulu) and The Magicians (Prime Video).
And with this selection of the 10 best witch series you'll find on Netflix or HBO, we hope we've satisfied your magic cravings and served as a little consolation for the fact that it has to stay within the confines of fiction. If that never getting the Hogwards letter hurt us all...
