Media Inspired by the Salem Witch Trials

Thanks to our school and pop culture, the Salem witch trials are a well-known historical event. Many movies draw inspiration from this era, putting you in the shoes of the accuser or the accused. Here are four forms of media influenced by the Salem witch trials

The Fear Street trilogy has many examples of the Salem Witch Trials’ influence. The first two films set up Sarah Fier as the villain, an evil witch responsible for everything wrong in Shadyside. However, Fear Street Part Three: 1666 reveals her true backstory. It turns out that she was, in fact, not a witch at all; she was simply an outcast who loved another woman and was too off-putting to others. Her nonconformity led Solomon to be able to frame Sarah as the witch in the town and turn against her.

While the third movie wasn’t as scary as the first two were, it provides a powerful look at how the mob mentality targets anyone who is different. The plot twist overturns who the viewers thought was the witch all along. All the theories you have from watching the first two movies immediately go out the window. This proves that the facts you saw in the first two movies were all based on a lie.

The Crucible, a classic play adapted into a film, takes place during the Salem witch trials. The panic begins when a group of girls is accused of witchcraft because they were caught dancing with Reverend Parris’ slave, Tituba. When Reverend Parris catches them, his daughter Betty goes into a coma-like state. To save themselves, the girls begin falsely accusing people of witchcraft.

The movie will make you furious. Although the girls are young, they clearly know what they are doing. One of the main characters, Abigail, accuses a man’s wife of being a witch just because she wants the husband for herself. Later, when one of the girls, Elizabeth, tries to tell the truth, the group turns on her until she breaks and rejoins them. Rarely has a movie ever made me feel so furious at every single character on the screen.

Charmed is a TV show that follows three sisters who discover that they come from a long line of witches. It becomes their job to keep everyone they know safe from the evil going after them. The series draws influence from the Salem Witch Trials, as it incorporates real people from the event and relates it to the characters in the show.

While it’s an old show that has a basic plot, I did find myself watching it with my older cousin. Even though the plotline reflects its early 2000s era, in the 2000s, it is an enjoyable show that keeps you entertained.

Hocus Pocus is a movie that follows three witches who were executed during the Salem Witch Trials. Centuries later, in 1993, they are resurrected by a character named Max. Once reborn, the sisters start trying to devour young people’s souls to regain their youth.

This movie is an absolute Halloween classic in my household. We never let the holiday pass without watching it, because it’s kid-appropriate, supports family values, and has some killer music.

Four forms of media that the Salem Witch Trial strictly or loosely inspires. They’re enjoyable and will get you into the spirit for the Witch’s holiday.