Roald Dahl's The Witches debuts a new trailer and a release date on HBO Max

Roald Dahl's The Witches is coming to HBO Max on October 22, and its new trailer introduces the kids, witches, and one determined grandmother at the center of the story.

The movie is an adaptation of the 1983 novel by children's author Roald Dahl, who also penned Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and many more adapted books. It stars Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch, Jahzir Bruno as its kid protagonist (with narration from Chris Rock as his grown-up counterpart), and Octavia Spencer as the protective grandmother.

The story unfolds at a ritzy hotel as the witches gather to begin a terrible new scheme: a plot to transform all of the world's children into mice, starting with our unfortunate protagonist. From there, he'll need all of his mousey agility, and a lot of help from his grandmother, to foil the witches' plans before they get any closer to their nefarious ambitions.

The trailer shows that Hathaway and Spencer – both Oscar winners – are really going for it here, delivering lines like "I'll never let you get away with your filthy, evil plot!" and "Who's gonna stop me?!" with campy glee. Hathaway lays on the faux-Transylvanian accident thick enough to instantaneously carve every pumpkin within a one-mile radius of her character, and I have nothing but the highest respect for that classic horror energy.

You can see what else is coming to the new streaming service next with our guide to what's new on HBO Max in October.

Connor Sheridan

I got a BA in journalism from Central Michigan University - though the best education I received there was from CM Life, its student-run newspaper. Long before that, I started pursuing my degree in video games by bugging my older brother to let me play Zelda on the Super Nintendo. I've previously been a news intern for GameSpot, a news writer for CVG, and now I'm a staff writer here at GamesRadar.

Latest in Movies
WandaVision episode 8
Robert Downey Jr's WandaVision Easter egg in the Avengers: Doomsday announcement has me thinking Scarlet Witch will be in the movie after all
channing tatum gambit in deadpool and wolverine
Marvel fans are hoping Channing Tatum's Gambit return in Avengers: Doomsday will be different from Deadpool and Wolverine
Spider-Man 4
There might be an obvious reason why Tom Holland's Spider-Man wasn't announced for Avengers: Doomsday
Patrick Stewart in X-Men
Marvel fans are already theorizing how Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden's X-Men will be integrated into Avengers: Doomsday
Daredevil: Born Again episode 6
Daredevil's Charlie Cox isn't in the Avengers: Doomsday cast list – but Marvel fans have an idea about how he might still show up
Chris Evans in Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Doomsday release date, cast, plot, and more news
Latest in News
Nintendo Switch 2 controller slot
Best Buy Canada just confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date, and there's only days left to wait
WandaVision episode 8
Robert Downey Jr's WandaVision Easter egg in the Avengers: Doomsday announcement has me thinking Scarlet Witch will be in the movie after all
Mario & Luigi: Brothership trailer still
"They are really feelin' the pressure": Former Nintendo staff think today's Direct, just 6 days before the Switch 2 Direct is a "bad idea strategically"
channing tatum gambit in deadpool and wolverine
Marvel fans are hoping Channing Tatum's Gambit return in Avengers: Doomsday will be different from Deadpool and Wolverine
Final Fantasy 16 protagonist Clive uses magic in closeup screenshot
Despite fans begging for Tifa, Final Fantasy 16's Clive is "significantly more popular" than any other Tekken guest fighter
Spider-Man 4
There might be an obvious reason why Tom Holland's Spider-Man wasn't announced for Avengers: Doomsday