Calling all 90s Goth kids, outsiders, and misfits. The movie that helped shape your teenage years is now streaming for free just in time for All Hallow’s Eve. Yes, there were a lot of great movies during the decade that can be regarded as influential classics, but perhaps none has more of a cult following than this one.
Released on May 3, 1996, The Craft defined what it was to be one of those kids who felt like they were outside the mainstream. Starring Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True, people instantly latched on to the cult favorite thanks to its themes of the occult, identity, and empowerment. While it was certainly more popular with teenage girls at the time, boys coming into their own also found something to like thanks to its main cast and dark horror elements that appealed to their more primal nature.
Produced on a budget of just $15 million, The Craft became a sleeper hit. It earned $6.7 million domestically during its opening weekend, which was enough for it to take the top spot at the box office. Ultimately, the iconic classic would go on to rake in a little over $55 million worldwide. Today, it remains one of the best movies about witchcraft ever made. If you don’t already have it in your physical media collection, you can relive all the spells, backstabbing, and drama thanks to Tubi, where The Craft is now streaming for free. Check out the synopsis below to remind yourself just how good it is:
“After transferring to a Los Angeles high school, Sarah (Tunney) finds that her telekinetic gift appeals to a group of three wannabe witches, who happen to be seeking a fourth member for their rituals. Bonnie (Campbell), Rochelle (True) and Nancy (Balk), like Sarah herself, all have troubled backgrounds, which combined with their nascent powers lead to dangerous consequences. When a minor spell causes a fellow student to lose her hair, the girls grow power-mad.”
‘The Craft’ Still Holds Up 30 Years Later
Though some movies fall out of favor thanks to being products of their time, The Craft isn’t one of those films. Sure, it might feel dated in many ways because there’s no cell phones or internet, but that’s all just surface stuff. Every teenager knows about high school cliques, and what it feels like to be an outcast. No matter the decade, that’s a timeless theme that still resonates today. The Craft latches onto that and exploits it to perfection.
Also dealing with themes of bullying, sexism, and trauma, The Craft is one of those movies you can confidently sit down and watch with your own teenagers and say, “Look, that is what it was like for me growing up.” From the fashion to the lingo, it encapsulates the 90s more than most. Be sure to add it to your watch list, and make time this spooky season to relive The Craft for free on Tubi. The guardians of the watchtowers command it.
- Release Date
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May 3, 1996
- Runtime
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101 minutes
- Director
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Andrew Fleming
- Writers
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Peter Filardi, Andrew Fleming
- Producers
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Douglas Wick