Hocus Pocus is a 1993 American fantasy-comedy film directed by Kenny Ortega. The film follows a trio of witches—Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson—who are accidentally resurrected by a teenage boy in Salem, Massachusetts. After they are brought back to life, the witches wreak havoc in the town as they search for immortal youth. Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the witches, Hocus Pocus is an iconic Halloween movie that has become a cult classic over the years. If you haven’t seen it yet, now is the perfect time to get acquainted with this magical movie!Hocus Pocus is a 1993 American fantasy-comedy film directed by Kenny Ortega. It stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as a group of witches who are accidentally resurrected by a teenage boy in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween. The film follows the witches as they wreak havoc in the town while being pursued by an immortal teenager and an immortal cat.
Characters in ‘Hocus Pocus’
The 1993 fantasy-comedy movie ‘Hocus Pocus’ features three main characters. They are the Sanderson sisters, Winnie, Mary and Sarah. These three witches are the antagonists of the movie. The protagonist of the movie is Max Dennison. He is a young boy who accidentally resurrects the Sanderson sisters after 300 years of sleep. His sister Dani Dennison also plays a major role in the movie and helps Max to defeat the Sanderson sisters.
Allison, a new student at Max’s school, helps him to investigate about the witches and their evil plan. Jay and Ernie, two bullies at Max’s school, are also important characters in the movie as they help Max and Dani to fight against the witches. Billy Butcherson is another character in ‘Hocus Pocus’. He was once killed by Winifred Sanderson but was later resurrected by her magic spell. He acts as an ally to Max and his friends throughout the movie.
The other characters include Thackery Binx who acts as a guardian angel for Dani; Bus Driver Stan who helps them with their plan; Emily Binx who was killed by Winifred 300 years ago; Ice cream man Mr. Swedelson; Reverend Johnathan Hightower; Margaret Hamilton’s character of Winnie’s old master and many more minor characters who help in developing the story of ‘Hocus Pocus’.
Where Was ‘Hocus Pocus’ Filmed?
Hocus Pocus, the classic Halloween movie starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, was filmed primarily on location in Salem, Massachusetts. The exterior shots of the Sanderson House were taken at a real house in Salem that still stands today. The interior shots of the house were filmed on a set built to look like the exterior of the house. Other locations used in the film include The Ropes Mansion (which was used as Thackery Binx’s house), the Witch Trials memorial, and the Old Burying Point Cemetery (where Thackery Binx is buried).
In addition to these iconic Salem locations, Hocus Pocus was also filmed in Los Angeles and Ventura County, California. The scenes at Billy Butcherson’s grave were shot at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills and some of the night scenes were filmed on a soundstage in L.A. Lastly, some of the aerial shots used to establish Salem were filmed over Ventura County.
More than 25 years later, Hocus Pocus continues to be one of the most beloved Halloween films of all time. Whether you’re watching it for nostalgia or introducing it to a whole new generation of fans, you can rest assured knowing that much of what you see on screen is from real-life locations around Salem and beyond!
When Was ‘Hocus Pocus’ Released?
Hocus Pocus is a 1993 American horror-comedy fantasy film directed by Kenny Ortega. It was released by Walt Disney Pictures on July 16, 1993. The film stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy in Salem, Massachusetts.
The film follows the three sisters as they wreak havoc on the town and its citizens while struggling to stay alive. Despite its initial poor box office performance, it has since become a cult classic and has spawned several merchandise items and a direct-to-video sequel. The film’s iconic song, “I Put A Spell On You”, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1994.
It was well received by critics upon its release and has since gone on to gain a strong cult following over the years. It also earned positive reviews from notable critics such as Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, who praised the performances of Midler, Parker, and Najimy as well as its campy humor.
Hocus Pocus remains one of Disney’s most beloved films and continues to be celebrated every Halloween season with screenings at select movie theaters across the United States. In 2019 it was reported that Disney is developing a remake of the film with actress/singer/songwriter Jenna Ortega set to star in one of the lead roles.
In conclusion, Hocus Pocus was released by Walt Disney Pictures on July 16th 1993 and has become an iconic Halloween classic over the years with its unique blend of horror comedy and fantasy elements.
Fun Facts About ‘Hocus Pocus’
Hocus Pocus is a classic Halloween movie that has been beloved by many for decades. It follows the story of three witches, Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, who are brought back from the dead after 300 years to wreak havoc on the town of Salem. Here are some fun facts about this cult classic:
The movie was released in 1993 and was directed by Kenny Ortega. It starred Bette Midler as Winifred, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah, and Kathy Najimy as Mary. It also featured Thora Birch and Vinessa Shaw in supporting roles.
The movie was initially a box-office failure when it first released but has since become a cult classic. It has become a staple of Halloween viewing for many fans.
Some of the iconic lines from the movie include “I Put A Spell On You”, “Amok! Amok! Amok!” and “It’s Just A Bunch Of Hocus Pocus”. The song “I Put A Spell On You” was performed by Bette Midler in her role as Winifred and is considered one of her signature songs.
The film received two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song (for “I Put A Spell On You”) and Best Visual Effects (for its special effects).
Hocus Pocus is one of Disney’s most beloved films and continues to be popular among fans today. Its popularity has spawned an animated sequel as well as several books based on the original film.
Critic Reviews of ‘Hocus Pocus’
Hocus Pocus is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Kenny Ortega. It follows the villainous trio of witches, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy in Salem, Massachusetts. The film has gained a cult following over the years and has become a Halloween classic. Critics have commended the film for its lighthearted tone and comedic performances.
The New York Times’ Janet Maslin praised the film for being “a bright and lively Halloween romp” that had “just enough spooky effects to make it appropriate for younger viewers.” She also noted that the casting of Midler, Parker and Najimy was “inspired”.
Variety’s review of Hocus Pocus was also positive, stating that it was “an infectious comic fantasy” that was “skillfully tailored to exploit its stars’ comic charms”. They also praised Ortega’s direction for creating a fun atmosphere.
Roger Ebert gave Hocus Pocus three out of four stars in his review. He found the plot to be predictable but praised the acting as well as the comedic elements in the script. He also noted that it was “a movie with tremendous charm”.
The majority of critics have praised Hocus Pocus for its lighthearted tone and enjoyable performances from Midler, Parker, and Najimy. The film has become a Halloween staple over the years and continues to be enjoyed by audiences each year.
Where Can I Watch ‘Hocus Pocus’?
If you’re looking for a way to watch the classic 1993 Halloween movie, ‘Hocus Pocus’, you have several options. You can rent it or purchase it through digital retailers such as Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, and YouTube. It’s also available to rent or purchase on DVD or Blu-ray. Additionally, the movie is sometimes available to stream on Netflix and Hulu. Finally, the film can be found on many cable providers’ On Demand services. No matter which way you choose to watch ‘Hocus Pocus’, it’s sure to be a spooky and fun experience!
Is There a Sequel to ‘Hocus Pocus’?
Ever since the release of Disney’s iconic 1993 fantasy-comedy film ‘Hocus Pocus’, fans have been wondering if there will ever be a sequel. The movie starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters has developed an enormous cult following over the years.
The good news is that a sequel could be in the works. In 2019, it was reported that Disney was in early development for a follow-up film to ‘Hocus Pocus’. It is said that the project is being overseen by original producer David Kirschner and screenwriter Jen D’Angelo.
However, the original cast members have yet to confirm their involvement in the project. Bette Midler has previously teased fans with her interest in returning to her role as Winifred Sanderson, but Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy have been more guarded about their thoughts on a sequel.
In addition to this, it is unknown at this point if director Kenny Ortega will return for the sequel film or if original writers Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris will have any involvement in it. Fans will just have to wait and see what happens next!
Conclusion
Hocus Pocus is a movie that will forever be remembered as a Halloween classic. Even after 25 years, the film still resonates with people of all ages due to its clever mix of horror, comedy, and the supernatural. The Sanderson Sisters are perhaps the most iconic villainesses in the history of the genre, and their spell-casting hijinks never fail to bring a few belly laughs. The movie also succeeds in giving us a unique moral lesson about appreciating what we have and not taking things for granted. With its charming characters and great music, Hocus Pocus is an unforgettable experience that will stay with us for years to come.
Whether you’re watching it on your own or with friends, Hocus Pocus is sure to provide great entertainment during this spooky season. This timeless tale of good vs evil is sure to keep you laughing all night long!