The Worst Witch (film)

The Worst Witch is a 1986 British made-for-television fantasy film based on the first book of the The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy. Produced by HBO and Central Independent Television, it stars Fairuza Balk as Mildred Hubble, a young witch attending Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches.

The film follows Mildred as she struggles to fit in at the academy and constantly makes mistakes, earning the ire of the strict deputy headmistress, Miss Hardbroom (Diana Rigg). Her attempts to improve often backfire, leading to comical and sometimes chaotic situations. The plot revolves around a planned attack by Miss Cackle's evil twin sister, Agatha (also played by Charlotte Rae, who plays Miss Cackle), and Mildred's eventual role in thwarting Agatha's scheme to take over the academy.

The film is known for its musical numbers, featuring original songs composed by Denis King and performed by the cast, most notably a performance of "Growing Pains" by Charlotte Rae. It also features Tim Curry as the Grand Wizard, who visits the academy to observe the witches' progress.

Despite mixed reviews upon its initial release, The Worst Witch has gained a cult following over the years, particularly among fans of the book series. It was followed by a spin-off television series, The Worst Witch, which aired from 1998 to 2001, and a rebooted series of the same name which aired from 2017 to 2020.