Boston.com
Getting in the Halloween spirit? Check out these Salem movies (and one TV show)
By Eva Levin
Oct 17, 2024
We rounded up some of the best movies and shows that take place in and around Salem to gear up for Halloween
We are less than a month out from Halloween, which means it is time to get into the spooky season spirit.
Where better to get your thrills and chills than Witch City, a.k.a. Salem, Massachusetts? Check out our list of movies and shows that take place in and around Salem for the perfect Halloween vibes.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Rating: PG
Bette Midler stars as one of three Sanderson sisters, witches who return to modern-day Salem to wreak havoc on the town. We would be remiss to start this list without including Hocus Pocus. A classic Halloween movie, it follows the Sanderson sisters, three witches who were hanged in Salem on Oct. 31, 1693. When an unsuspecting kid accidentally brings them back to life, he and his friends must save the whole town from the trio.
Bewitched (1964 – 1972)
The iconic sitcom cemented its legacy with a statue of its protagonist, Samantha, in the middle of downtown Salem. Bewitched follows the witch Samantha and her very normal husband as they try to live the dream suburban life. Samantha’s powers inevitably get in the way, and the duo have to work their way out of it.
The Crucible (1996)
Rating: PG-13
This dramatization of the accusation that started the Salem witch trials in 1692 has an absolutely stacked cast and boasts two Oscar nominations. An adaptation of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible stars Daniel Day Lewis as John Proctor and Winona Ryder as Abigail Williams. Some of it was even filmed in and around Salem.
Hubie Halloween (2020)
Rating: PG-13
If you’re an Adam Sandler fan, this is the Halloween movie for you. It follows Hubie, a Salem resident, who assists the town every year as it’s “Halloween Helper.” But when a convict is set loose in the town, it’s up to Hubie to save the day. Now, this movie was definitely not a critical success. But, it was almost entirely filmed in Salem, so viewers can spot tons of landmarks.
I Married a Witch (1942)
Rating: None
This charming film stars Veronica Lake. A Salem witch killed in the trials, she uses the last of her living power to seek revenge on her killer. But when she and her father come back to life, she ends up meeting her killer’s descendant — and falling in love with him. Hijinks ensue, plans go awry, and it’s all together a delightful time.
The Witch (2015)
Rating: R
Anya Taylor-Joy’s feature film debut is a terrifying horror movie set in 1630s New England. A witch steals a child from a Puritan family, which sets off a sequence of very spooky, sometimes esoteric, events. Parents, beware: this is not a family film.
