# The Witches

> 2020 film directed by Robert Zemeckis

**Wikidata**: [Q63630439](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63630439)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witches_(2020_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-witches

## Summary
*The Witches* is a 2020 fantasy comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis, based on Roald Dahl's novel of the same name. The movie follows a young boy who encounters a coven of witches while staying at a hotel with his grandmother. It stars Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, and Stanley Tucci, and is notable for its blend of live-action and visual effects.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: October 22, 2020 (United States), October 29, 2020 (United Kingdom), November 5, 2020 (other regions).
- **Director**: Robert Zemeckis.
- **Based on**: Roald Dahl's 1983 novel *The Witches*.
- **Genre**: Fantasy, comedy, family.
- **Production Companies**: ImageMovers, Warner Bros. Pictures.
- **Country of Origin**: United States, United Kingdom, Mexico.
- **Language**: English.
- **Runtime**: 106 minutes.
- **Budget**: Estimated $90 million.
- **Box Office**: $131.5 million worldwide.
- **Cast**: Anne Hathaway (Grand High Witch), Octavia Spencer (Grandmother), Stanley Tucci (Mr. Stringer), Jahzir Bruno (Hero Boy).
- **Screenplay**: Robert Zemeckis, Kenya Barris, Guillermo del Toro.
- **Cinematography**: Don Burgess.
- **Music**: Alan Silvestri.
- **Distributed by**: Warner Bros. Pictures.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q10045.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0805647.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 49% (critics), 47% (audience).
- **Metacritic Score**: 47/100.
- **Awards**: Nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2021 Saturn Awards.

## FAQs
**What is *The Witches* about?**
*The Witches* is a fantasy comedy film about a young boy who stumbles upon a secret gathering of witches at a hotel. With the help of his grandmother, he must stop the witches' plan to turn all children into mice.

**Who directed *The Witches*?**
The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, known for his work on *Back to the Future*, *Who Framed Roger Rabbit*, and *Cast Away*.

**When was *The Witches* released?**
The film was released on October 22, 2020, in the United States, with subsequent releases in the United Kingdom and other regions.

**Who stars in *The Witches*?**
The main cast includes Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch, Octavia Spencer as the Grandmother, Stanley Tucci as Mr. Stringer, and Jahzir Bruno as the Hero Boy.

**What is the genre of *The Witches*?**
The film is a fantasy comedy, blending live-action with visual effects to create a whimsical and sometimes eerie atmosphere.

**What is the runtime of *The Witches*?**
The film has a runtime of 106 minutes.

**What is the budget and box office performance of *The Witches*?**
The film had an estimated budget of $90 million and grossed $131.5 million worldwide.

**What awards has *The Witches* received?**
The film was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2021 Saturn Awards.

## Why It Matters
*The Witches* is significant for its adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved novel, bringing a classic children's story to a new generation of viewers. The film's blend of live-action and visual effects showcases Robert Zemeckis's technical prowess and creative vision. It also highlights the enduring appeal of Dahl's storytelling, which continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The film's themes of bravery, family, and the battle between good and evil resonate with viewers of all ages, making it a notable addition to the fantasy genre.

## Notable For
- **Adaptation of a Classic Novel**: Based on Roald Dahl's *The Witches*, a beloved children's book.
- **Star-Studded Cast**: Features performances by Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, and Stanley Tucci.
- **Visual Effects**: Nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2021 Saturn Awards.
- **Director's Vision**: Directed by Robert Zemeckis, known for his innovative use of visual effects and storytelling.
- **Global Release**: Released in multiple countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Mexico.
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed $131.5 million worldwide.
- **Genre Blending**: Combines fantasy, comedy, and family elements to create a unique cinematic experience.

## Body
### Overview
*The Witches* is a 2020 fantasy comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The movie is based on Roald Dahl's 1983 novel of the same name and follows the story of a young boy who discovers a coven of witches during a stay at a hotel with his grandmother. The film stars Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch, Octavia Spencer as the Grandmother, Stanley Tucci as Mr. Stringer, and Jahzir Bruno as the Hero Boy.

### Production
The film was produced by ImageMovers and Warner Bros. Pictures. Robert Zemeckis, known for his work on *Back to the Future* and *Who Framed Roger Rabbit*, directed the film. The screenplay was written by Zemeckis, Kenya Barris, and Guillermo del Toro. The cinematography was handled by Don Burgess, and the music was composed by Alan Silvestri.

### Release and Reception
*The Witches* was released on October 22, 2020, in the United States, with subsequent releases in the United Kingdom and other regions. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 49% and a Metacritic score of 47/100. Despite the mixed reviews, the film was a box office success, grossing $131.5 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $90 million.

### Cast and Characters
- **Anne Hathaway** as the Grand High Witch: The leader of the witches who plans to turn all children into mice.
- **Octavia Spencer** as the Grandmother: The Hero Boy's grandmother who helps him fight against the witches.
- **Stanley Tucci** as Mr. Stringer: The manager of the hotel where the witches gather.
- **Jahzir Bruno** as the Hero Boy: A young boy who discovers the witches' plan and must stop them.

### Visual Effects and Technical Achievements
The film is notable for its blend of live-action and visual effects, which were used to create the witches' transformations and other magical elements. The visual effects were nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2021 Saturn Awards, highlighting the technical prowess of the film's production team.

### Themes and Adaptation
*The Witches* explores themes of bravery, family, and the battle between good and evil. The film's adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel brings a classic children's story to life, showcasing the enduring appeal of Dahl's storytelling. The film's whimsical and sometimes eerie atmosphere captures the spirit of the original novel, making it a notable addition to the fantasy genre.

### Related Entities
- **Robert Zemeckis**: The director of *The Witches*, known for his work on *Back to the Future*, *Who Framed Roger Rabbit*, and *Cast Away*.
- **ImageMovers**: The production company founded by Robert Zemeckis in 1997.
- **Warner Bros. Pictures**: The production and distribution company behind *The Witches*.
- **Roald Dahl**: The author of the original novel *The Witches*, on which the film is based.
- **Anne Hathaway**: The actress who played the Grand High Witch in the film.
- **Octavia Spencer**: The actress who played the Grandmother in the film.
- **Stanley Tucci**: The actor who played Mr. Stringer in the film.
- **Jahzir Bruno**: The actor who played the Hero Boy in the film.

### Conclusion
*The Witches* is a significant film for its adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic novel, its blend of live-action and visual effects, and its star-studded cast. The film's themes of bravery, family, and the battle between good and evil resonate with viewers of all ages, making it a notable addition to the fantasy genre. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box office success and showcases Robert Zemeckis's technical prowess and creative vision.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. The Movie Database
3. Roald Dahl's The Witches. Rotten Tomatoes
4. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
5. BBC Things
6. IMDb
7. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-witches-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00otk1ndm)
8. Kinopoisk
9. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/roald-dahl-s-the-witches/)
10. Entertainment Identifier Registry
11. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2020&s_month=11&e_year=2020&e_month=11&pageID=2)
12. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/153826)
13. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=77593)
14. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
15. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/149120/34/149120/1/209.pdf)
16. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=16432)
17. [Source](https://fpbquery.fpb.org.za/erms/film_details.aspx?ref=84201)
18. Bechdel Test Movie List
19. mymovies.it
20. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAADtxAAE)
21. Moviepilot
22. [Source](https://norske-dubber.fandom.com/no/wiki/Roald_Dahls_Heksene_(Film)?oldid=142498)
23. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=424858)
24. [Source](https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/006CBA5700737014)
25. [Source](https://cinema.bamid.gov.tw:9443/TheaterMangSystem/Pages/MovieRating/movieInfo.aspx?group=A109517)
26. FilmVandaag.nl