20 best film witches of all time
Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Is even Hocus Pocus too much for you? Or perhaps you just need a break from all of the jump scares and menace in many of the other movies on this list. Luckily, Kiki’s Delivery Service is gentle enough for even the tensest, most fright-phobic watchers amongst us.
This 1989 fantasy anime was written, produced and directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. It’s an adaptation of a 1985 novel by author Eiko Kadono. In the world of both film and book, witches are magical people with flying brooms, but they are rarely malevolent.
In this world, 13-year-old witches are encouraged to strike out on their own for a full year. It’s meant to develop their independence and unique magical skills, which could falter under the cushy conditions of their homes. Thus, young Kiki leaves on the night of a full moon, seeking her fortune.
Kiki’s not alone, thankfully. She takes along her familiar, a talking black cat named Jiji. The pair hops on a flying broomstick and make their way to Koriko, a port city. Kiki promises to help Osono, a bakery owner, in exchange for lodging.
In particular, Kiki decides to open a delivery business, aided by her unique flying skill. Things go okay for a while, though her first delivery is nearly thwarted by a heavy wind. She tries to befriend some people, including young aviation enthusiast Tombo, but soon becomes lonely and depressed. Poor Kiki even discovers that she’s lost the ability to understand Jiji.
Perhaps even worse, Kiki learns that she’s lost the ability to fly. She’s forced to shutter her growing delivery business. A painter friend, Ursula, suggests that Kiki’s stalled powers are really a form of artist’s block. Thanks to an airship accident, Kiki’s discovers a new purpose when she helps rescue people, including Tombo. She becomes confident again, resumes her delivery service, and ends the film as a happy young woman.