CMRS Film Series: Magic and Witchcraft

The Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies has released its schedule for the autumn 2026 film series. This semester, CMRS is focusing on themes of magic and witchcraft to align with our undergraduate GE course of the same name (MedRen2666). Join us on select Wednesdays for classic films that explore the consequences of living in a world (our own or a fantasy world) in which magic and witchcraft are real forces that can shape peoples' lives. Sometimes comic, sometimes terrifying, sometimes just wildly enchanting; these films ask us to imagine “what if?” and then take the resulting answers seriously. 

CMRS has been offering a film series for many years. After taking a hiatus for a few years following COVID, the series returned in the spring of 2024.  Themes are chosen to coordinate with a current CMRS course offering or event—students need not be taking a course to attend, however, as all are welcome. The films range from classics to recent releases, with special interest in films that are hard to find. Previous themes for the series include medieval Kyoto, 90s movies based on Shakespeare's plays and films about Queen Elizabeth I. All screenings are free and open to the public. 

All movies in this series are at 7:00 pm on Wednesday nights in 180 Hagerty Hall, followed by a brief talk and Q+A. Free pizza and refreshments will be served. These screenings are free and are open to all. This semester's schedule includes:

August 26 - Stardust (2007)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn and adapted from Neil Gaiman’s novel, Stardust follows Tristan Thorn as he crosses into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star, only to discover she is actually a celestial woman named Yvaine. To protect her and safely make the journey home, Tristan must defend Yvaine from a wicked witch seeking eternal youth and a cutthroat prince vying for the throne.

September 30 - Spirited Away (2001)

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away follows ten-year-old Chihiro as she accidentally enters a surreal spirit world where her parents are transformed into pigs. To save them and return home, she takes a job at a magical bathhouse run by a tyrannical witch, finding her inner strength along the way with the help of a mysterious river spirit named Haku.

November 4 - The Witch (2015) (event page coming soon)

Directed by Robert Eggers, The Witch follows a devout 17th-century Puritan family exiled to a remote New England wilderness, where the mysterious disappearance of their infant son ignites paranoia and despair. As supernatural forces and dark witchcraft tear the family apart from within, their eldest daughter, Thomasin, becomes the primary target of suspicion and ultimate corruption.

December 2 - Matilda (1996) (event page coming soon)

Directed by Danny DeVito and adapted from Roald Dahl’s novel, Matilda follows a brilliant young girl with telekinetic powers who is mistreated by her shallow parents and terrorized by her school’s tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. With the encouragement of her kindhearted teacher, Miss Honey, Matilda uses her extraordinary mind and magic to stand up to her oppressors and reclaim her own happy future.

Find more information on each movie in the series on their individual listing on our event calendar. Questions? Email cmrs@osu.edu with any questions.