History Main / TheWitchHunter

The Witch Hunter is the grim, broody, [[BadassLongcoat badass-longcoated]], and [[NiceHat nice-hatted]] guy who is always prepared to lead a WitchHunt, but beware, for this guy, as much as he is [[WellIntentionedExtremist well intentioned]] and [[SoulsavingCrusader soul-saving]], often [[KnightTemplar leaves that pesky sort-them-out trade to the Lord]], and he tends to be [[PrinciplesZealot a bit creepy]] about [[LawfulStupid his principles]]. He can be seen handing out the TorchesAndPitchforks, and "BurnTheWitch" is his favourite solution. Due to these traits, a witch hunter is usually a perpetrator of VanHelsingHateCrimes either out of genuine hatred, or mere cruelty and profit; thus, when the Witch Hunter appears, he is usually a villain or (in settings where witches are actually [[AlwaysChaoticEvil evil by default]]) a ''very'' dark AntiHero.

* ''ComicBook/TheUltraverse'' had Witch Hunter, a.k.a. Maria [=DeLorentti=], a member of the Seventh Sign, a secret organization dedicated to the eradication of evil supernatural forces. Unlike more traditional witch hunters, she hunted witches in a {{Stripperific}} outfit featuring AbsoluteCleavage rather a BadassLongcoat and a NiceHat. She still carried a {{BFS}}, though.

* ''Series/MotherlandFortSalem'': The Camarilla, an ancient group of them thought destroyed by Adler, return in the first season finale, proving deadlier than before as they managed to duplicate witches' powers [[{{Magitek}} using technology]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' we discover that [[spoiler: Phillip Wittebane, the man who would become Emperor Belos]], was a Witch Hunter before his arrival on the Boiling Isles. Given his history, he was most likely involved in the Connecticut Witch Trials. He even insists his title is "Witch Hunter General", a play on Matthew Hopkins' self-given title in real life.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' we discover that [[spoiler: Phillip Wittebane, the man who would become Emperor Belos, was one of these before his arrival on the Boiling Isles. Given his history, he was most likely involved in the Connecticut Witch Trials.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' we discover that [[spoiler: hillip Wittebane, the man who would become Emperor Belos, was one of these before his arrival on the Boiling Isles. Given his history, he was most likely involved in the Connecticut Witch Trials.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' we discover that [[spoiler: Phillip Wittebane, the man who would become Emperor Belos, was one of these before his arrival on the Boiling Isles.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' we discover that [[spoiler: Phillip Wittebane, the man who would become Emperor Belos, was one of these before his arrival on the Boiling Isles.]]

[-[[caption-width-right:349:[[https://www.artstation.com/artwork/lVdzo5 Image]] by [[https://www.artstation.com/bogdanartist Bogdan Tomchuk]]. Used with permission.]]-]

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[[quoteright:320:[[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/witch-hunter-omnibus_125.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:320:"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." -- [[Literature/BookOfExodus Exodus 22:18]]]]

* The [[MagicalGirl Magical Girls]] of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' exist to fight {{Eldritch Abomination}}s which are called "witches". Of course, there is a dark twist. [[spoiler: Which is that because of the way [[TheCorruption magic works]] in the Puella Magi universe, every Magical Girl is doomed to [[AndThenJohnWasAZombie become a Witch]].]]

%%* ''Series/Charmed1998'': The people in colonial America who executed Melinda Warren count, as does the FBI Agent Jackman. %% Zero Context Example

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In "The Witchfinders", the TARDIS team arrives in 17th Century Lancashire and become embroiled in a series of witch trials, where 36 people have already been drowned. With the arrival of King James I, the hunt for witches intensifies.

[[caption-width-right:320:"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." -- [[Literature/BookOfExodus Exodus 22:18]]

[[caption-width-right:320:"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." -- Exodus 22:18]]

* Creator/VincentPrice plays an evil witch hunter in the 1970 ''Film/CryOfTheBanshee''. Lord Edward Whitman is just as much a bastard as Price's similiar role in ''Film/WitchfinderGeneral'' (see below), and his crimes are horrific enough that the title sidhe is called upon to destroy him and his family, most of whom are just as vicious as him.

While we are at it, Van Helsing, the TropeNamer for the latter trope, hunted vampires instead of witches, but even the standard ones are rarely above an occasional hunt after [[VampireHunter a vicious vampire]] or [[DemonSlaying demon]]. That said, witches generally have different connotations than most other classic monsters, due to the [[RealitySubtext uncomfortable reality]] of historical {{witch hunt}}s, which killed a lot of [[WidowWitch innocent people]]. Vampires and werewolves don't have that same historical baggage, and although you may the occasional FriendlyNeighborhoodVampire or heroic werewolf who is able to ResistTheBeast, they're still a lot more likely to be cast as AlwaysChaoticEvil monsters. Therefore, the VampireHunter is typically a relatively uncomplicated hero in a way that the Witch Hunter is not.

* Creator/VincentPrice plays an evil witch hunter in the 1970 ''Film/CryOfTheBanshee''. Lord Edward Whitman is just as much a bastard as Price's portrayal of Hopkins, and his crimes are horrific enough that the title sidhe is called upon to destroy him and his family, most of whom are just as vicious as him.

The Witch Hunter is the grim, broody, [[BadassLongcoat badass-longcoated]], and [[NiceHat nice-hatted]] guy who is always prepared to lead a WitchHunt, but beware, for this guy, as much as he is [[WellIntentionedExtremist well intentioned]] and [[SoulsavingCrusader soul-saving]], often [[KnightTemplar leaves that pesky sort-them-out trade to the Lord]], and he tends to be [[PrinciplesZealot a bit creepy]] about [[LawfulStupid his principles]]. He can be seen handing out the TorchesAndPitchforks, and "BurnTheWitch" is his favourite solution. Due to these traits, a witch hunter is usually a perpetrator of VanHelsingHateCrimes either out of racism, or mere cruelty and profit; thus, when the Witch Hunter appears, he is usually a villain or (in settings where witches are actually evil) a ''very'' dark AntiHero.

* [[UrExample A notorious example from real history]] is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Hopkins Matthew Hopkins]], the original "Witchfinder General". During the UsefulNotes/EnglishCivilWar, Hopkins traveled through eastern England at the head of a team of self-styled witch-hunters; within two years -- from 1645 to 1647 -- he and his accomplice John Stearne caused the deaths of about 300 women, who were executed by hanging. Though Hopkins claimed to have a mandate from the English Parliament, this was probably a lie (the title "Witchfinder General" was his own invention) -- however, Parliament obviously tolerated his actions. As if that wasn't enough, Hopkins's book ''The Discovery of Witches'', which he published shortly before his death in 1647, helped to spread the witch-craze to the New England colonies, where it immediately sparked a wave of {{witch hunt}}s. The Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s still used Hopkins's methods.

* Vincent Price plays another evil witch hunter in the 1970 ''Film/CryOfTheBanshee''. Lord Edward Whitman is just as much a bastard as Price's portrayal of Hopkins, and his crimes are horrific enough that the title sidhe is called upon to destroy him and his family, most of whom are just as vicious as him.

* Creator/VincentPrice plays one in Creator/TigonBritishFilmProductions' ''Film/WitchfinderGeneral'', which is based on the historical figure of the 17th century "witchfinder" Matthew Hopkins. This is not a fantasy movie, and Hopkins is portrayed as neither a grim hero nor a KnightTemplar fanatic; he's a cynical opportunist and a deeply evil man, exploiting the [[WitchHunt superstitions]] of those around him for personal gain.

* Played with in ''Literature/GoodOmens''. While played straight in Agnes Nutter's case, Witchfinder Sergeant Shadwell, a modern professional witch hunter, doesn't get much work these days.

--> Witch. Hunter. Hunts witches. It can't be that difficult.
* Wizards can become [[{{Hellgate}} portals to hell]] in Myke Cole's ''The Sacred Throne'' trilogy, so the Order is tasked with hunting down wizards according to the martyred Emperor's edict "suffer not a wizard to live". The Order has since degenerated to becoming tyrannical fanatics of the TorchesAndPitchforks set who are as much into RapePillageAndBurn as they are actually hunting wizards.
* Literature/SolomonKane is a quite unambiguously good case and likely the TropeCodifier. Even the slouch hat, worn by Kane, wound up on many characters who followed his legacy when GorgeousPeriodDress would be out of place.

* Both the Spook and the Quisitor in ''Literature/TheWardstoneChronicles''. The major difference is that the Spook a) has some magical knowledge himself and b) cares whether the women accused of witchcraft are actually guilty.
* Mathias Thulmann, main protagonist of the short stories by C.L. Werner set in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' universe (and the guy portrayed on the trope image above) certainly qualifies.
* The Hell-bards of ''Literature/TheWitchlands'' are an elite unit whose job is hunting down witches who didn't register with the government or committed a crime.

* The Witchsmeller Pursuviant from ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'', who finds the title character guilty of witchcraft via an over-the-top KangarooCourt. Being ''Blackadder'', Pursuviant is merely a lunatic who falsely accuses people in droves for witchcraft either over InsaneTrollLogic or petty spite, and [[EvilIsPetty Edmund made the mistake of insulting him within earshot]]. Less conventionally for the series however, Edmund is saved after Pursuviant ends up suffering a KarmicDeath when he spontaneously combusts in what is heavily implied to be an act of ''real'' witchcraft he overlooked, [[spoiler: by Edmund's mother, Queen Gertrude]].
%%* ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'': The people in colonial America who executed Melinda Warren count, as does the FBI Agent Jackman. %% Zero Context Example

* ''Series/{{Good Omens|2019}}'': Thou-Shalt-Not-Commit-Adultery Pulsifer was a witchfinder, while Shadwell tries to be one as well, recruiting Pulsifer's descendant Newton. Adultery found at least one witch but [[TakingYouWithMe died when he burned her (and the fifty pounds of gunpowder under her skirts) at the stake]], Shadwell never realizes how close he was to a witch and witch-related people, while Newton stumbled upon a witch mostly on accident.

* Subverted in ''Series/{{Kaamelott}}'': The local Witch Hunter (Répurgateur, the term used in the French translation of ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'') is a complete and utter dumbass and the epitome of ActivistFundamentalistAntics who tries to set fire to anyone he disagrees with (pagans, magic-users, heretics, women, Myth/KingArthur...). In the pilot, he suffers a minor brain freeze when Arthur points out that his sword is magical (and thus heretical) before trying to have Arthur burned, and ends up tied at his own stake. His final appearance has him declare he's become a paladin, demand Arthur's sword, and prove himself incapable of defeating the village idiot in a swordfight.
* The Witchfinder in ''Series/MaddigansQuest''. Atypically for this trope, she's a woman.
* The Witchfinder in ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}''. However, he [[spoiler: was actually fabricating all of his evidence.]]

* Brad from ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'' is a descendant of Witchhunters and can subconsciously sense magic when a spell is made in his presence. Its the main reason why he's an ass to Sabrina, who happens to be the girlfriend of his best friend.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'': Witch hunters are a specialized order within the Empire tasked with hunting down heretics, magic-users, cultists, monsters and the undead and exterminating them with extreme prejudice. The relatively recent legalization of magic within the bounds of the Imperial-approved Colleges infuriates them. They're uniformly dogmatic and ruthless figures, wholly convinced of their own righteousness and of the corruption of their targets. In early editions of the game they often worship Solkan, the god of order and revenge, while later versions of the game[[note]]where Solkan was {{retconned}} out of existence[[/note]] has the witch hunters belong to the Holy Order of the Templars of Sigmar (or Order of Sigmar for short).

* Inquisitors in ''TabletopGame/AnimaBeyondFantasy'' are far more this than a ChurchPolice, and extending their work to hunt supernatural/non-human entities too[[note]]Paradoxically even if they hunt supernatural stuff, they have supernatural abilities, which are considered by the Church to be a gift from God[[/note]]. [[BurntheWitch Burning at the stake]], sometimes after [[ColdBloodedTorture torture to extract information from them]], is the usual fate for those they capture and don't kill on the spot.
* Many Hunters of ''TabletopGame/HunterTheVigil'' would fit the description quite well, too, but perhaps the closest types are the Malleus Maleficarum and the Knights of the Order of St. George. The Malleus are basically the Inquisition with machine guns, bearing both holy rituals and a "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" policy. The Knights are a division of the Anglican Church that pursue sorcerers almost exclusively and use "divine magic" ([[spoiler:really rituals learned from an EldritchAbomination]]) to sabotage magic.
* Following in the steps of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' and Robert E. Howard, Paizo Publishing's ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' now [[http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/inquisitor features an Inquisitor class]]. The iconic Inquisitor could only look more like this trope with a burning heretic at her feet, though in personality and outlook she is a far cry from the stereotyped angry witch hunter and more of a kind-hearted scholar who happens to engage in the grim business of monster-hunting. The Inquistor class even has an archetype (class variant) ''called'' Witch Hunter, who drops some of the Inquisitor's abilities to counter beasts and discerning lies and alignments for [[MageKiller abilities aimed at arcane spellcasters]].
* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'':
** There is some deviation from the norm, in that some Witch Hunters are merely petty tyrants who only signed up for the opportunity to bully people around, and do very little in the way of actually killing witches. They often worship Solkan, the god of order and revenge, which further separates them from organised structures.
** Later versions of the game[[note]]when gods like Solkan seemed to be {{retconned}} out of existence[[/note]] had the witch hunters belong to the Holy Order of the Templars of Sigmar (or Order of Sigmar for short).

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerAgeOfSigmar'': The old-school Witch Hunters of WHFB have a descendent order in the successor game, the Order of Azyr. Aside from hunting down cults, killing daemons, and dealing with [[WildMagic rogue Endless Spells]] and such, they also hunt down more mundane threats as part of their StateSec duties. Interestingly, from the background of the GaidenGame Warhammer Quest: Cursed City, it's possible to be kicked out of the Order for being ''too'' zealous and paranoid. The possibility of [[GodEmperor Sigmar himself]] physically showing up and personally yelling at them for getting it wrong gives them a lot more oversight than their predecessors had.
* The game ''Witch Hunter: The Invisible World'' (now in its second edition) is a horror game set in an alternative earth that can best be called a Literature/SolomonKane story with less sexism, racism, and cultural superiority. Witch Hunters are individuals from any place that have learned secrets once woven into the Seal of Solomon. They use this to fight against supernatural terrors that serve the Adversary, a cosmic evil being (or group) whose identity is unknown (most Witch Hunters equate the Adversary with the BigBad of their religion, such as the Christian Satan, hence the name). Since the core rulebook focuses on Europe and the Americas in the 17th century, most Witch Hunters will be a walking embodiment of this trope. The remainder are this trope only seen through the culture they come from. For example, imagine this trope, only the hunter happens to be from the Ottoman Empire. With a little work, your Witch Hunters are this trope in [[RecycledInSpace any pre-Industrial time and culture]].

* ''ComicBook/TheUltraverse'' had Witch Hunter, a.k.a. Maria [=DeLorentti=], a member of the Seventh Sign, a secret organization dedicated to the eradication of evil supernatural forces. Unlike more traditional witch hunters, she hunted witches in a {{Stripperific}} outfit featuring AbsoluteCleavage rather a BadassLoncoat and a NiceHat. She still carried a {{BFS}}, though.

* Carl Douglas, best known for the song "Kung Fu Fighting", had a song called "Witchfinder General", which was specifically about the Creator/VincentPrice [[Film/WitchfinderGeneral movie]].

* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'': [[Characters/Warhammer40000Inquisition The Holy Orders of the Emperor's Inquisition]] have three branches devoted to hunting daemons (Ordo Malleus), heretics (Ordo Hereticus), and aliens (Ordo Xenos), each of which has a militant arm: the Grey Knights (an entire chapter of psychic SpaceMarines), the Sisters of Battle (an AmazonBrigade that [[KillItWithFire loves burning witches and heretics]]), and the Deathwatch (a corps of expert Space Marines from various chapters). The Inquisition in general is closest to the traditional "witch hunter", down to the longcoat and hat. Despite the clear descent of Inquisitors from Solomon Kane, both Warhammers likely popularized the image of the Witch Hunter enough that some fans [[OlderThanTheyThink think it was Games Workshop's creation.]]
* Many Hunters of ''TabletopGame/HunterTheVigil'' would fit the description quite well, too, but perhaps the closest types are the Malleus Maleficarum and the Knights of the Order of St. George. The Malleus are basically the Inquisition with machine guns, bearing both holy rituals and a "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" policy. The Knights are a division of the Anglican Church that pursue sorcerers almost exclusively and use "divine magic" ([[spoiler:really rituals learned from an EldritchAbomination]]) to sabotage magic.
* Following in the steps of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' and Robert E. Howard, Paizo Publishing's ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' now [[http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/inquisitor features an Inquisitor class]]. The iconic Inquisitor could only look more like this trope with a burning heretic at her feet, though in personality and outlook she is a far cry from the stereotyped angry witch hunter and more of a kind-hearted scholar who happens to engage in the grim business of monster-hunting. The Inquistor class even has an archetype (class variant) ''called'' Witch Hunter, who drops some of the Inquisitor's abilities to counter beasts and discerning lies and alignments for [[MageKiller abilities aimed at arcane spellcasters]].
* Inquisitors in ''TabletopGame/AnimaBeyondFantasy'' are far more this than a ChurchPolice, and extending their work to hunt supernatural/non-human entities too[[note]]Paradoxically even if they hunt supernatural stuff, they have supernatural abilities, which are considered by the Church to be a gift from God[[/note]]. [[BurntheWitch Burning at the stake]], sometimes after [[ColdBloodedTorture torture to extract information from them]], is the usual fate for those they capture and don't kill on the spot.

* The immortal protagonist of ''VideoGame/KnightsContract'' was originally this trope. After WhoWantsToLiveForever set in, he ended up joining forces with the witch who cursed him in hopes of a [[DeathSeeker way to die]].
* In ''VideoGame/{{Disciples}}'' games, the Empire unit Squire can be upgraded to be a Witch Hunter, which is resistant against magical attacks.

* In ''Videogame/TheWitcher3WildHunt'', the Witch Hunters of the Eternal Flame are a fanatical faction bent on tracking down and exterminating anyone using magic or occult practices, as well as magical non-human creatures. The ones in the free city of Novigrad are responsible for the worst atrocities, but they tend to pop up all over the North, hunting down mages and other creatures deemed abhorrent by their faith - including those creatures and mages who are completely benign. They're unfriendly toward Geralt, the game's protagonist, because he's a mutant Witcher, but a combination of powerful friends and the fact that [[OneManArmy Geralt can butcher a dozen of them in less than a minute]] leads to them ''usually'' leaving him be.
** The Witchers themselves can be considered Witch Hunters, though they are less "empowered by faith" and more "tried and true tactics and lore". They hunt and destroy the supernatural monsters that plague humanity, and also occasionally moonlight as warriors for hire, or sorcerer-killers.

* Witch Hunter is a premade character class in both ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'' and ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion''. In their description, it's noted that their purpose is to combat cults and necromancers. In gameplay terms, their skills gravitate towards being a MageMarksman, taking elements from the archer and thief classes and the schools of destruction, conjuration and mysticism.
* ''VideoGame/GrimDawn'' has the Inquisitors of the Luminari order, charged to protect [[TheEmpire Erulan]] from witches, cultists, renegade arcanists, and other occult dangers. Playable Inquisitors are skilled with ranged weapons and make use of runic magic and replicas of arcane artifacts that the Luminari have captured and studied. Inquisitor Creed is the SupportingLeader and closest thing to a BigGood on humanity's side, willing to work with necromancers and the witches of Ugdenbog to fight against the Aetherials.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{AmericanDad}}'' episode ''The Witches of Langley'', Principal Lewis is revealed to be a Witch Hunter, having descended from a long line of them. He hunts Steve when the latter begins to use "Blood Magic" at Pearl Bailey High School. Notably, he is tolerant of witches using their magic for good, even working with Good Witches Snot, Toshi and Barry to stop Steve when he becomes mad with power.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'': Alden Bitterroot is an IdenticalAncestor of [[ConspiracyTheorist Mr. Crocker]] who is not only a fraudulent witch-hunter, but an actual witch himself.

* ''Anime/WitchHunterRobin''. Pretty much ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin, and [[BadassLongcoat resembles the]] [[TheMenInBlack description]] [[BurnTheWitch pretty well]].
* ''Manga/SoulEater'': There's an academy dedicated to training them ([[EquippableAlly and their weapons]]) to slay witches and corrupted humans. Maka, TheHero, even has a special technique called "Witch Hunter". As of chapter 98, [[spoiler: they've actually made attempts to make peace and team up with the witches (the witches are considered evil because they, [[TokenHeroicOrc mostly]], have an inherent urge to destroy...but right now, they ''really'' need [[EldritchAbomination something]] destroyed).]]

* Silver Dagger and the Imperator, two of Comicbook/DoctorStrange's foes. The former is a genuine witch hunter, whereas the latter is more of a MageKiller.

* ''Magazine/DoctorWhoMagazine'': In "Witch Hunt", Clara is dressed as a witch for Halloween when she is transported through time to TheCavalierYears where she runs afoul of the Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins.
* In ''ComicBook/BlackMagick'', Aira is a witch hunting organization which kills those guilty of abusing magical powers. Unlike most examples of the trope, they explicitly state that magic itself is not evil and it is not their goal to kill all magic users, rather it is their duty to kill those who have succumbed to BlackMagic and used their powers to corrupt the minds of others.
* Sir Edward Grey is a heroic example from the ''ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}'' and ''ComicBook/{{BPRD}}'' verse, who eventually got his own spinoff series, ''Witchfinder''. He's a 19th century British paranormal investigator who, among other exploits, killed a trio of witches attempting to assassinate the Queen--earning himself knighthood and the official title of Witchfinder from the Crown. Though he's initially biased against magic-users from non-Christian traditions (as shown in "Lost and Gone Forever") he quickly grows more open-minded. In any case, he only executes those who use magic for malicious ends.
* Rondel, the title character of ''ComicBook/{{Hillbilly}}'', is a purely heroic take on this trope, using [[WeaponOfXSlaying the Devil's own meat cleaver]] to hunt down the {{wicked witch}}es that haunt the hills. Most MagicIsEvil in this setting, and when Rondel meets an extremely rare [[GoodWitchVersusBadWitch good witch]], he recognizes that she's not a threat and leaves her alone.

* Fanfic/ThePrayerWarriors are an ''extremely'' aggressive and fundamentalist version. They hunt ''[[RougeAnglesOfSatin Stan]][[HollywoodSatanism ists]], who, due to the [[DesignatedHero intolerance, general stupidity, and serious villainous tendencies]] of the heroes, come off as [[DesignatedVillain better than the protagonists]].

* If we are willing to [[WitchWithACapitalB widen the definition of "witch" a little]], there is Witch Hunter of ''Fanfic/BurnTheWitchMiraculousLadybug'', an Akumatized villain who was created by a bout of outrage at Lila Rossi's [[ConsummateLiar blatant, unrelenting lying]] and who has all of the symbolism of this trope, including [[TorchesAndPitchforks brainwashing Paris into going full Inquisition on Lila]]. The fact that Rossi [[LesCollaborateurs is an accomplice of Hawk Moth]] who gets Akumatized often probably also would fit as witchcraft.

* Creator/VincentPrice plays one in Creator/TigonBritishFilmProductions' ''Film/WitchfinderGeneral'', which is based on the historical figure of the 17th century "witchfinder" Matthew Hopkins. This is not a fantasy movie, and Hopkins is portrayed as neither a grim hero nor a KnightTemplar fanatic; he's a cynical opportunist and a deeply evil man, exploiting the [[WitchHunt superstitions]] of those around him for personal gain.

* ''Film/{{Warlock}}'': Giles Redferne is a witch hunter [[FishOutOfTemporalWater transported from the 17th century]] to kill the evil Warlock who [[YouKilledMyFather murdered his wife]]. He's actually a pretty nice guy, going out of his way to save as many innocent bystanders who fall prey to the Warlock as possible. He only has his salt-coated whip, knives, and some limited knowledge of the Warlock's weaknesses to defeat him.

* ''Film/{{Doctor Strange|2016}}'': [[spoiler:Mordo ends up taking this position at the end of the movie as the events convince him that there are too many sorcerers out there breaking the natural laws. As a sorcerer himself, this overlaps with HunterOfHisOwnKind.]]

* SolomonKane is a quite unambiguously good case and likely the TropeCodifier. Even the slouch hat, worn by Kane, wound up on many characters who followed his legacy when GorgeousPeriodDress would be out of place.

* One of these guys, referred to as simply "The Witchfinder," plays a small but important role in the [[TheDungAges DungAges]] prologue of ''Literature/TheFestering''. He's less interested in actually finding witches (assuming any exist) and more interested in just having a lot of political and religious clout in the English town of Garth, accusing and executing people on a whim in order to instill fear in the locals. His main role in the story is having PatientZero for ThePlague executed and buried without treatment and study, thereby ensuring the disease will return to threaten future generations in Garth.

* Evil wizards had essentially regressed much of the world from the 19th century to TheDungAges in Tamara Siler Jones's ''Dubric Byerly'' trilogy -- a DarkFantasy mixed with forensic mystery. These "mages" were beaten back by a crusade from a country that escaped this fate and after this victory, Dubric Byerly -- a [[EvilStoleMyFaith lapsed]] warrior-priest who's become an inspector, is tasked by the king with hunting those that still remain.
* Wizards can become [[{{Hellgate}} portals to hell]] in Myke Cole's ''The Sacred Throne'' trilogy, so the Order is tasked with hunting down wizards according to the martyred Emperor's edict "suffer not a wizard to live". The Order has since degenerated to becoming tyrannical fanatics of the TorchesAndPitchforks set who are as much into RapePillageAndBurn as they are actually hunting wizards.
* ''Literature/SwordOfTruth'': The Blood of the Fold are an organization of these, who firmly believe {{magic is evil}} and all magic users are banelings (i.e. serve the [[GodOfEvil Keeper]]). Similarly the Imperial Order loathes magic because of the inequality it entails, though in the short term both use this out of necessity.
* ''Literature/PrincessesOfThePizzaParlor'': In ''Boyfriends and Other Minor Annoyances'': As Bianca says, they exist, and as the narration indicates, they're inquisitors from the Order of San Matabruy:
--> Witch. Hunter. Hunts witches. It can't be that difficult.

* The Witchfinder in ''Series/MaddigansQuest''. Atypically for this trope, she's a woman.
* Subverted in ''Series/{{Kaamelott}}'': The local Witch Hunter (Répurgateur, the term used in the French translation of ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'') is a complete and utter dumbass and the epitome of ActivistFundamentalistAntics who tries to set fire to anyone he disagrees with (pagans, magic-users, heretics, women, Myth/KingArthur...). In the pilot, he suffers a minor brain freeze when Arthur points out that his sword is magical (and thus heretical) before trying to have Arthur burned, and ends up tied at his own stake. His final appearance has him declare he's become a paladin, demand Arthur's sword, and prove himself incapable of defeating the village idiot in a swordfight.

* ''Series/{{Good Omens|2019}}'': Thou-Shalt-Not-Commit-Adultery Pulsifer was a witchfinder, while Shadwell tries to be one as well, recruiting Pulsifer's descendant Newton. Adultery found at least one witch but [[TakingYouWithMe died when he burned her (and the fifty pounds of gunpowder under her skirts) at the stake]], Shadwell never realizes how close he was to a witch and witch-related people, while Newton stumbled upon a witch mostly on accident.
-->'''Anathema:''' You know, you're not actually a bad witchfinder. After all, you found me.
%%* ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'': The people in colonial America who executed Melinda Warren count, as does the FBI Agent Jackman. %% Zero Context Example
* ''Series/MotherlandFortSalem'': The Camarilla, an ancient group of them thought destroyed by Adler, return in the first season finale, proving deadlier than before as they managed to duplicate witches' powers [[{{Magitek}} using technology]].

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerAgeOfSigmar'': The old-school Witch Hunters of WHFB have a descendent order in the successor game, the Order of Azyr. Aside from hunting down cults, killing daemons, and dealing with [[WildMagic rogue Endless Spells]] and such, they also hunt down more mundane threats as part of their StateSec duties. Interestingly, from the background of the GaidenGame Warhammer Quest: Cursed City, it's possible to be kicked out of the Order for being ''too'' zealous and paranoid. Having the God-King they serve capable of physically showing up and personally yelling at them for getting it wrong gives them a lot more oversight than their predecessors had.