The Scary Movie Project

The podcast where we talk about scary movies.

Author: The Scary Movie Project

Get your horror movie fix with filmmaker and horror junkie Matt Lolich, as he reviews and deep dives into horror movies and other spooky topics!
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en

Genres: After Shows, Film Reviews, TV & Film

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Trailer:

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

Witches - From Salem To Witches In Horror Films
Episode 116
Thursday, 16 April, 2026

In this episode, Matt and Tara explore the fascinating and complex history of witches—from the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 to modern Wicca and paganism, then dive into witches in horror films and television.HISTORY COVERED:Salem Witch Trials 1692, Giles Corey pressed to death, torture methods (swimming a witch, the rack, Iron Maiden), Malleus Maleficarum witch hunting guide, 80,000 executed in Europe (1500-1660), modern Wicca founded by Gerald Gardner (1950s), contemporary persecution still happening worldwideMOVIES & SHOWS DISCUSSED:The Blair Witch Project, The Witch/VVitch, Lords of Salem, The Craft, Practical Magic, Witches of Eastwick, Hocus Pocus, American Horror Story: Coven, Sabrina the Teenage Witch vs Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Supernatural, BewitchedRESOURCES MENTIONED:• Time Life: Witches and Witchcraft• Scott Cunningham Wicca books • History.com: "Witches, Real Origins, Hunts and Trials" - https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-witches• The Atlantic: "Inside Paganism" - https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/10/inside-paganism/381764/• Salem Witch Museum - https://salemwitchmuseum.com/Special thanks to Megan Loney, Rachel Sullivan, Emily Cole, and Emily Fornof for research contributions.Follow Tara Garwood: https://www.instagram.com/tarakatafilms/SHOW OVERVIEW:Website: thescarymovieproject.comGet your horror movie fix with filmmaker and horror junkie Matt Lolich, as he reviews and deep dives into horror movies and other spooky topics!Now with spoilerier spoilers!https://youtu.be/GfyYEcCNVX4