We Loved The Worst Witch… So Why Did Its Creator Hate It
Before Hogwarts, there was Miss Cackle’s Academy—and a Halloween movie unlike anything else. The Worst Witch gave us Fairuza Balk, Diana Rigg, and Tim Curry singing in a rainbow cape. We loved it. Its creator had a very different reaction.
For this Spooktober episode of Dial-Up Dayz, we’re revisiting The Worst Witch (1986), the wonderfully strange TV movie that became part of our childhood Halloween traditions. Behind the broomstick disasters, ridiculous hats, and unforgettable musical number is a story about a girl who just wanted to belong—and an author who felt the adaptation let her down.
We explore Jill Murphy’s inspiration for Mildred Hubble, what changed when her book reached the screen, and why Tim Curry’s “Anything Can Happen on Halloween” became the moment nobody forgot. Plus, we look at the witch school that existed long before Harry Potter—and the familiar details that make those Hogwarts comparisons so hard to resist.
Was this movie a mess, a Halloween classic, or somehow both? Grab your broom. We’re heading back to Miss Cackle’s.
What do YOU remember most: Mildred and her kitten, Miss Hardbroom’s “pleasant nightmares,” or Tim Curry and that tambourine? Did you watch on HBO, the Disney Channel, or a worn-out VHS? Tell us in the comments!
Subscribe to Dial-Up Dayz for more forgotten favorites, childhood memories, and the stories behind the entertainment we grew up with. Check out the rest of our Spooktober videos, and leave your next Halloween nostalgia request below.
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@freakshowfilmfestival3591
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I'll say it, JK stole this idea. Lol Just like Toy Story stole from The Christmas Toy. (There ya go Dial Up, Jim Henson's The Christmas Toy was on Nickelodeon)
@LizM894
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I watched it on TV in the UK and had it on Video. I loved it…and it's cute bad special effects.
@bubbz2978
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I just rewatched this recently!! I watched this all the time when I was little!! What a fun walk down memory lane!! 🧡🖤
@zeframmann1641
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
Damn, somebody JK ripped off even more than Neil Gaiman (see: Books of Magic).
@Smarty1600
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I loved this movie so much!!
@jimk5447
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
Yes the worst witch is the original Harry Potter
@ToliBera
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I never saw the movie, Loved the tv series, and its sequel series at Weird Sisters College
@outpostcheerfuloyster
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
1997 🤯
I could swear that I remember HP books in the late 80s, or at least the early 90s, being performatively given to children of those parents who bought their kids King Arthur Legos, because they're against war toys. 🌙
@vivalaminion2936
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
If only we "lost" Rowling…
@shadow177a17
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
Can you please do a video about the Halloween Tree?
@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I don't want to be that person, but as a Ravenclaw Potterhead, I have to. It's pronounced "rowing," as in rowing a boat. 🤓💙🤎
@itsallchemical42
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I just really digged the song hearing it as a kid
@Erykthebat
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I have been in love with fairuza balk since return to oz
@marioaustin9312
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
"Has anybody seen my tambourine?" 😂
@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
Can you please make a video about Nickelodeon's Are You Afraid of the Dark episode named "The Tale of the Chameleon (featuring Tia and Tamera Mowry)"? In my own opinion. the most memorable and messed up story (told by Kiki,) EVER! 🎃😱📺
@jamesrussel6975
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
The tv show used to come on the HBO Family channel. It. “Growing Up Isn’t Easy” was the theme song I remember. It didn’t click for a long time that Fairuza Bulk was Vicki in the Waterboy movie.🐜
@darkinetix
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I also loooove that Fairuza Balk has two slots in my top 10 favorite film witches.
@darkinetix
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I was a literal child when the first film came out and I definitely considered HP a rip off given TWW was one of my favorite movies (I will still randomly sing the movie's opening song and Tim Curry's song, and I'm a 40 year old man lol). It really is sad that the production didn't stand up to the cast, but it's still a fun and very enjoyable movie that's super rewatchable (but I'm biased of course).
Tim Curry is like 80% done with his song and randomly breaks out a tambourine from his cape after singing "Has anybody seen my tambourine?" hahahahahahahaha… I LOVED THAT.
@JTamarin
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
(Would have been good to save that so weird one for this month.)
There were a bunch of network primetime dramas that did odd Halloween themed episodes (like Touched by and Angel, Walker Texas Ranger, Party of Five, Diagnosis Murder, 7th Heaven, etc.). Maybe a top 10 oddest Halloween episodes. 😂
@firstresponders72
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
I need a review of superbook and flying house. I want to hear the story behind why they're so similar
@cooperationiskey
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
Tim Curry was the ultimate professional, no joke. Missing him already.
@IsitheJosh
October 21, 2026 at 10:23 am
This video smacked me right in the nostalgia. Masterfully done. Thank you so very much and keep it up…