WATCH: ‘The Witches’ trailer

Warner Bros. has released for the first official trailer for The Witches, Robert Zemeckis’ new adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic story.

The Witches will be premiering this month on HBO Max, just in time for Halloween. The Witches centers on a young boy (Jahzir Bruno) and his grandmother (played by Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer) who encounter a nefarious coven of witches, led by the Grand High Witch (played by Academy Award-winner Anne Hathaway) who are determined to turn all children into mice. Roald Dahl‘s book was previously adapted for the big screen in 1990 with Anjelica Huston playing the Grand High Witch.

The studio has also released the first batch of images from the film, giving a better sense of this new adventure. The trailer showcases a sleek production, all-star cast, and a fast-paced family film that might be the perfect entertainment for the spooky season.

Here is the official synopsis of the film:

“Based on the timeless story, the reimagined Roald Dahl’s The Witches is flying into your homes, premiering exclusively in the U.S. on HBO Max on October 22.  Robert Zemeckis, the Oscar-winning director and master storyteller (Forrest Gump, The Polar Express and the Back to the Future trilogy) brings a fresh sense of humor along with warmth and the unexpected to what is sure to be a Halloween favorite! It’s a wickedly funny and heartwarming tale about a young boy who stumbles upon a secret coven of witches and, with the help of his loving grandmother, must try to stop their evil plan to turn all the world’s children into mice. Roald Dahl’s The Witches is the film the whole family can enjoy together this Halloween season.

The incredible cast includes powerhouse performances by Anne Hathaway as the sly, menacing Grand High Witch and Octavia Spencer as the tough but loving grandmother who will fight her to the end. Stanley Tucci is the hotel manager unwittingly hosting the witches’ convention; Kristin Chenoweth lends her familiar voice and energy to the action; and the heart of the film is the young boy, played by Jahzir Bruno [adult narration by Chris Rock], who becomes a brave but unlikely hero by teaming with his friends and grandma to stop the witches’ evil plan. Director/producer/co-writer Robert Zemeckis is joined by a world-class team of filmmakers, including Alfonso Cuaron, Guillermo del Toro and Kenya Barris.”

The Witches will debut on October 22 on HBO Max.

Check out the trailer and images below: