Witches have been some of the most in-demand baddies in recent history, surpassing even zombies as the monster du moment. American Horror Story: Coven, The Witches of East End, new show Salem and the soon-to-be-released Maleficent are all exemplary portraits of powerful witchy women doing their deeds, but what about the source? We would all agree that the source lies somewhere in Oz. Yet which witch is the witchiest and wickedest of all the Oz witches, without which we would all be witchless? Cast your vote (and your spell?) here…
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Elphaba, Wicked
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Theodora & Evanora, OZ the Great and Powerful  |
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One of the original stories told from the villain’s point of view, Maleficent wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for this little gem, a novel turned smash Broadway musical (and soon, a film too). Watching Elphaba’s journey to becoming the Witch who ‘matches them in renown’ is unlike anything else. |
The stunning Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz portrayed these two evil sisters, the Wicked Witches of the West and East, respectively, in 2013’s modern look at the Oz universe (which will be followed up by a sequel next year). These ladies are not impressed by the tricks up the Wizard’s sleeve, and why should they be? They’re witches! |
| Wicked Witch, Once Upon a Time
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The Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard of Oz |
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As this inventive series shows with every fairytale it takes on, the story of the Witch here is not all that seems. Focusing heavily on the Witch’s (or Zelena’s) relationship with her sister Regina (aka the Evil Queen herself!) and family, the character gets space to grow here in a similar fashion to Wicked.
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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There are grown men roaming the planet today who would readily admit how the timeless villain from this film—made in 1939—kept them up at night with terror. Margaret Hamilton was the first, and arguably the best witch ever put on screen. |
