It failed.
When the Disney movie Hocus Pocus first hit theaters in July 1993, it was a total box office dud. Critics hated it. Gene Siskel basically called it a mess, and it got buried under the massive success of Free Willy. Honestly, the timing was just weird. Who releases a movie about soul-sucking witches in the middle of a summer heatwave? Disney did. And they paid for it at the time.
But then something shifted.
Thanks to the power of basic cable reruns on the Disney Channel and Freeform’s "31 Nights of Halloween," this movie didn't just survive; it became a lifestyle. You can’t walk into a Target in October without seeing Bette Midler’s buck teeth on a coffee mug. It’s a cult classic that somehow skipped the "cult" part and went straight to mainstream dominance.
The Chaos Behind the Scenes of the Disney Movie Hocus Pocus
People think this movie was just another assembly-line Disney project. It wasn't. The script started out way darker. Originally, it was meant to be a straight-up horror film for kids, inspired by a bedtime story producer David Kirschner told his daughters. Somewhere along the way, it morphed into the campy, musical, slightly-adult-joke-filled romp we know now.
You’ve probably heard the rumors about the casting, but they’re actually true. Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the role of Max Dennison. He turned it down to do What's Eating Gilbert Grape, which, to be fair, earned him an Oscar nomination. But can you imagine him trying to be "the virgin who lit the black flame candle"? It’s hard to picture. Omri Katz stepped in and gave us that perfect, slightly-annoying-teenager energy that made Max relatable.
Then there’s the makeup. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker didn't just put on wigs. They transformed. Midler’s look was inspired by a mix of 1940s glamour and a cartoon villain. She’s famously said that Winifred Sanderson is her favorite role she's ever played. Think about that for a second. The woman has Grammys, Emmys, and Tony awards, yet she loves the buck-toothed witch the most. That's the magic of the Disney movie Hocus Pocus.
The Sarah Jessica Parker Urban Legend
There is a weirdly specific fact about Sarah Jessica Parker that fans love to bring up. While filming, she found out through Who Do You Think You Are? that she actually has an ancestor, Esther Elwell, who was accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. It’s one of those "truth is stranger than fiction" moments. She’s literally playing a witch in a movie set in Salem while having a bloodline connected to the real-life hysteria.
Why the Physics of the Sanderson Sisters Actually Works
It sounds nerdy, but the chemistry between the three leads is the only reason this movie works. If one of them was "off," the whole thing would have felt like a cheap Saturday morning special.
- Winifred (The Brains): She's the classic eldest sibling. Controlling. Mean. Deeply insecure about her looks.
- Mary (The Muscle... sort of): Kathy Najimy came up with Mary's crooked jaw herself. It wasn't in the script. She decided that because Mary was constantly sniffing out children, her face just stayed that way.
- Sarah (The Distraction): She’s the siren. SJP plays her with this bizarre, airy, "puppy-dog" energy that contrasts perfectly with Winifred’s constant screaming.
They are terrible people. They literally want to murder children to stay young. Yet, we root for them? That’s the "Bette Midler Effect." You can't help but love her stage presence during the "I Put a Spell on You" sequence. That scene, by the way, wasn't supposed to be a big production. It was meant to be a small moment, but when you have Midler on set, you don't do "small."
The Black Cat and the CGI Nightmare
Let's talk about Thackery Binx. In the early 90s, talking animals were a technical nightmare. The production used real cats, animatronic cats, and very early CGI. If you look closely at the Disney movie Hocus Pocus, you’ll notice Binx’s face changes slightly depending on which technology they were using in that specific shot.
The kids who voiced Binx and played human Binx were actually two different people. Jason Marsden did the voice because the producers thought the actor who played human Binx, Sean Murray (who you might know from NCIS), sounded too modern. They wanted that 1600s flair.
Salem vs. Hollywood: What’s Real?
If you go to Salem, Massachusetts, today, you can actually visit several of the filming locations.
Max and Dani’s house? It’s a private residence at 4 Ocean Avenue.
The school where they try to burn the witches? It’s the old Phillips Elementary School.
The "Town Hall" where the party happens? That’s actually Old Town Hall in Derby Square.
However, the "Old Burial Hill" cemetery where Max loses his shoes is actually in Marblehead, not Salem. Hollywood likes to move things around for the "vibe." Also, the Sanderson sisters' house was entirely built on a soundstage in California. You can't visit the cottage because it never really existed as a permanent structure.
Basically, the movie treats Salem like a playground, and the locals have embraced it. Even though the real witch trials were a tragedy where no "real" witches were actually involved, the Disney movie Hocus Pocus has turned the town into a year-round Halloween destination.
The 2022 Sequel and the Legacy
For years, people begged for a sequel. We finally got Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+, and it broke streaming records. It was the biggest opening for a streaming movie ever at the time. Why? Because the original fans were now parents.
The sequel leaned heavily into the backstory, showing how the sisters got the Book (which is made of human skin, by the way—Disney got pretty dark there). But it also highlighted a shift in how we view these characters. In 1993, they were just villains. In 2026, we see them as a weird, dysfunctional family. We love their loyalty to each other, even if that loyalty involves a lot of slapping and hair-pulling.
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Is a third movie happening?
Yes. Disney confirmed Hocus Pocus 3 is in development. Jen D'Angelo, who wrote the second one, is back. The challenge is keeping that 90s camp alive in a world that’s much more CGI-heavy. Fans are skeptical, but let's be real—we're all going to watch it the second it drops.
Common Misconceptions About the Movie
- The "Come Little Children" Song: Everyone thinks Sarah Jessica Parker just sang it, but did you know it was actually written by the same guy who did the music for The Nightmare Before Christmas? It has this haunting, lullaby quality that’s genuinely creepy.
- The Billy Butcherson Prosthetics: Doug Jones, the actor who played Billy, actually had real moths in his mouth for that scene where he finally unsews his lips. No CGI there. Just a guy with a mouth full of bugs for the sake of art.
- The "Industrial Strength" Vacuum: When Mary Sanderson flies on a vacuum cleaner, it was a subtle joke about the modernization of witchcraft. It's one of the most iconic visual gags in 90s cinema.
How to Experience Hocus Pocus Today
If you’re a superfan, watching the movie on a loop isn't enough. You’ve got to dig into the culture.
- Visit Salem in the Off-Season: If you go in October, it’s a mosh pit. Go in September or early November. You can see the Ropes Mansion (Allison’s house) without 5,000 people in your selfie.
- Read the Sequel Novel: Disney released a book called Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel. It follows Max and Allison’s daughter, Poppy. It’s actually a different story than the second movie, which is a bit confusing but great for lore hunters.
- Check the Backgrounds: Next time you watch, look at the background characters in the town hall scene. One of the partygoers is dressed like Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast. It’s a classic Disney Easter egg.
The Disney movie Hocus Pocus is a rare example of a film that was "born again." It proves that critics don't always know what they're talking about and that sometimes, a movie just needs a decade or two to find its people. It’s a messy, loud, colorful, and occasionally scary film that captures exactly what it feels like to be a kid on October 31st.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Rewatch
- Spot the "Fake" Binx: Try to identify which scenes use the animatronic cat versus the real one. Hint: if the cat is talking and moving its head realistically, it’s the robot.
- Host a "Siren" Night: Watch the movie and specifically track the references to 1990s pop culture that haven't aged well (like the bus driver scene).
- Analyze the Spellbook: Look for the various props used for "Book." There were several versions made, including one that was "hidden" in the Walt Disney Archives for years before being brought out for the sequel's promo.
- Track the Lighting: Notice how the color palette changes from warm oranges in the Dennison house to cold, eerie greens and purples whenever the sisters are on screen. It's a masterclass in visual storytelling.