Robert Zemeckis's 2020 adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic dark fantasy novel brings a distinct visual style and a star-studded roster to a familiar story. If you're looking to understand who plays whom, how this version compares to the 1990 cult classic, and where you can stream it today, this breakdown cuts straight to the facts.
The film shifts the setting from 1980s Norway and England to late-1960s Alabama, following a young orphan boy who goes to live with his loving grandmother. They accidentally stumble upon a secret convention of child-hating witches led by a terrifying supreme leader. Below is a complete look at the talent behind the characters, production details, and your viewing options.
The Witches 2020 Main Cast and Characters
The ensemble cast blends Academy Award winners with talented child actors, anchoring the whimsical yet menacing tone of the film.
- Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch: Hathaway plays the supreme ruler of all witches. Eschewing a subtle approach, she brings a manic, theatrical energy to the role, complete with a sinister accent and grotesque prosthetics that reveal a Glasgow-smile mouth beneath her glamorous veneer.
- Octavia Spencer as Grandma: Spencer portrays the warm, knowledgeable grandmother who knows everything about witch lore. She acts as protector, medical guide, and emotional anchor for her newly orphaned grandson.
- Jahzir Bruno as Hero Boy: Bruno takes on the central role of the young protagonist who discovers the coven's plot and ends up transformed into a mouse.
- Stanley Tucci as Mr. Stringer: Tucci plays the beleaguered manager of the luxurious Hotel Cosmopolitan, where the witches hold their clandestine gathering.
- Chris Rock as Older Hero Boy (Voice): Rock provides the adult narration, framing the story as a retrospective tale told by an older version of the hero.
- Codie-Lei Eastick as Bruno Jenkins: Eastick plays the gluttonous, wealthy boy who is the first child turned into a mouse by the coven before the hero shares his fate.
- Kristin Chenoweth as Daisy / Mary: Chenoweth lends her voice to the hero's pet mouse companion, Daisy, who was once a human girl transformed years prior.
Where to Watch The Witches 2020
Originally slated for a traditional theatrical rollout by Warner Bros. Pictures, the movie shifted its distribution strategy due to public health restrictions in 2020. It premiered directly on streaming in the United States before hitting international cinemas.
You can find the film across major digital storefronts and subscription platforms depending on your region:
- Subscription Streaming: Depending on regional licensing agreements and local libraries, the movie rotates through platforms like Max and Netflix. Check your local service to confirm current availability.
- Digital Rental and Purchase: If it isn't currently free on your active streaming subscription, you can rent or purchase it digitally via Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
- Physical Media: Collectors can pick up the film on Blu-ray and DVD, which feature behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes.
Production Behind the Scenes
The film's creative pedigree is heavy with genre masterminds. Robert Zemeckis directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay alongside Kenya Barris and Guillermo del Toro. Del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón also served as producers, lending a dark fantasy sensibility that mirrors del Toro's own directorial work.
The production design relies heavily on CGI to bring the mouse transformations and witch unmasking scenes to life. While the 1990 version relied heavily on practical creature effects by Jim Henson's creature shop, Zemeckis opted for a heavily stylized digital approach, which sparked varied reactions from fans of the original book.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Viewers often confuse details between the 1990 adaptation starring Anjelica Huston and this 2020 reimagining. Keeping these distinctions clear helps set proper expectations:
- Setting Shift: The 2020 film moves the opening act to the American South in 1967, whereas the book and 1990 film are rooted in Norway and the UK.
- The Fate of the Heroes: Unlike the 1990 film, which leaves the main character as a mouse permanently, the 2020 version leans into a different resolution regarding the mice and their fight against the remaining global coven.
- Rating and Tone: Parents sometimes assume it's a lighthearted cartoon because of the animation style, but the PG rating reflects genuine body horror elements, scary imagery, and dark thematic moments that can startle younger viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Witches 2020 a sequel or a remake?
It's a fresh cinematic adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1983 novel, not a remake of the 1990 film. Both films draw from the same source material but take different creative liberties.
Why does Anne Hathaway's character look different from normal people?
In the story, witches aren't human. They wear disguises to hide their true features—such as clawed hands instead of fingers, bald heads hidden by wigs, wide nostrils for sniffing out children, and mouths that stretch from ear to ear.
Who narrated the movie?
Comedian and actor Chris Rock narrates the story as the older version of the hero mouse, guiding the audience through the events from a narrative distance.
Where was the hotel scenes filmed?
The grand hotel scenes were constructed on soundstages at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Hertfordshire, England, combined with digital set extensions.
