Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Witches. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: The boy narrator, turned into a mouse by the Grand High Witch, uses her own formula to turn every witch in England into mice at a hotel dinner. He accepts that he will remain a mouse and will live about as long as his beloved grandmother, and the two plan to wipe out the witches of the world together.
Quick facts
– Book: The Witches by Roald Dahl
– First published: 1983
– Type: A children's fantasy novel
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet and brave
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
After his parents die in a car crash, the narrator lives with his Norwegian grandmother, who tells him that witches are real and hate children. On holiday at a seaside hotel, he accidentally discovers a meeting of English witches led by the Grand High Witch, who reveals a plan to turn all children into mice. The witches catch him and turn him into a mouse.
What Happens at the End of The Witches
The mouse boy sneaks into the Grand High Witch's room and steals a bottle of Formula 86. He drops it into the soup served to the witches at their banquet, and they all turn into mice and are killed by the hotel staff. The boy and his grandmother return home, rich with the Grand High Witch's money and the address of her castle. He learns that, as a mouse, he will live about nine years, and he is glad because his grandmother will not have to live without him.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The boy defeats the witches with their own potion.
- He is never turned back into a human.
- He is happy to share his lifespan with his grandmother.
- The two plan a mission to destroy the rest of the witches.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| The narrator | Remains a mouse |
| Grandmamma | Plans to fight witches with him |
| The Grand High Witch | Turned into a mouse and killed |
| Bruno Jenkins | Remains a mouse with his parents |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows courage in the face of loss. The boy accepts his new life and finds comfort in love.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers find the ending sad, while others see it as brave and hopeful. Dahl refused to give the boy a magical cure.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Courage. A small boy defeats powerful enemies.
Love. His bond with his grandmother matters most.
Acceptance. He accepts being a mouse.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Witches as bittersweet and brave. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Roald Dahl to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet and brave will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Roald Dahl closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1990 film adds an ending where the boy is turned back into a human, which Dahl disliked.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Witches with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about courage, and do you agree with Roald Dahl's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet and brave, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces courage and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Roald Dahl leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Witches often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Witches earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After The Witches
Related: The Witches by Roald Dahl: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Witches You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Witches?
The boy narrator, turned into a mouse by the Grand High Witch, uses her own formula to turn every witch in England into mice at a hotel dinner. He accepts that he will remain a mouse and will live about as long as his beloved grandmother, and the two plan to wipe out the witches of the world together.
Is the ending of The Witches happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet and brave.
What does the ending of The Witches mean?
The ending shows courage in the face of loss.
Is the ending of The Witches the same in the adaptation?
The 1990 film adds an ending where the boy is turned back into a human, which Dahl disliked.
Who wrote The Witches and when was it published?
The Witches was written by Roald Dahl and first published in 1983.
Is The Witches worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's fantasy novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Roald Dahl prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Witches before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.