Witchy Cult Classic ‘The Craft’ Turns 30 [Video]

There are plenty of horror movies that capture the hell that is being a teenage girl, but long before Ginger Snaps, Jennifer’s Body, and this year’s Forbidden Fruits, there was The Craft, which celebrates its 30th anniversary today, May 3.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a horror fan (and if that’s the case, thank you for being here!), you’ve probably encountered The Craft at a sleepover—I can confirm that the first time I ever played the game Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board was after watching this at my best friend’s house late one night. For a lot of girls, this was their first introduction to the idea that witchcraft, or most realistically, sisterhood in general, could help them access power, control, and a sense of belonging.

What makes The Craft more than just a supernatural story about young witches is how grounded it is in real-world issues. Each of the girls are dealing with struggles like racism, abuse, insecurity, and class inequality. Fairuza Balk is the real standout here as Nancy, who remains one of the most compelling villains in teen horror (I’m not here to discuss whether or not Nancy is actually a villain—you’re going to have to debate that in the comments below).

I’m personally very interested in the way the film portrays sisterhood. I’ve always fantasized about being seen and understood growing up, of being friends with other weird girls share the same struggles and interests as myself. The Craft captures the intensity of that desire and shows us the magic that comes with “finding your people,” as they say, before things start falling apart.

We can see The Craft‘s impact on so many teen movies now, horror or otherwise, and I’m so thankful new generations are discovering it today. 30 years later, it still feels fresh and exciting, and it’s one of the few films that understands just how wonderful and how painful girlhood can be. It’s not currently streaming anywhere, but you can rent it now on Prime Video.