Hocus Pocus (1993)

A curious youngster moves to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.

Director:

Kenny Ortega

Writers:

David Kirschner (story), Mick Garris (story)

Stars:

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy

2 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bette Midler	...	Winifred Sanderson
Sarah Jessica Parker	...	Sarah Sanderson
Kathy Najimy	...	Mary Sanderson
Omri Katz	...	Max
Thora Birch	...	Dani
Vinessa Shaw	...	Allison
Amanda Shepherd	...	Emily
Larry Bagby	...	Ernie 'Ice' (as Larry Bagby III)
Tobias Jelinek	...	Jay
Stephanie Faracy	...	Jenny
Charles Rocket	...	Dave
Doug Jones	...	Billy Butcherson
Karyn Malchus	...	Headless Billy Butcherson
Sean Murray	...	Thackery
Steve Voboril	...	Elijah

Storyline

300 years have passed since the Sanderson sisters were executed for practicing dark witchcraft. Returning to life thanks to a combination of a spell spoken before their demise and the accidental actions of Max, the new-kid-in-town, the sisters have but one night to secure their continuing existence...

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Plot Keywords:

halloween | spell | black cat | witch | magic | 

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Taglines:

It's just a bunch of Hocus Pocus!

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some scary sequences, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

16 July 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hocus Pocus

Filming Locations:

Plimouth Plantation - 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$39,514,713

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rhythm & Hues Studios,Touchwood Pacific Partners 1,Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Emily Binx died on October 31, 1693.

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Goofs

Sarah sings her song in the sky above the lighthouse along the coastline of Marblehead, one town over from Salem.

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Quotes

Winifred Sanderson: Sisters! Behold!
Sarah: I am beautiful! Boys will love me!
Mary Sanderson: We're young!
[laughs and claps excitedly]
Winifred Sanderson: Well younger. But! It's a start!
Mary Sanderson: [the sisters dance laughing] Oh my, Winifred, you are the mere sprig of a girl!

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits, the parents finally stop dancing and leave the building, exhausted; Jay and Ernie have been forgotten about and are still dangling in their cages, singing Row Row Row Your Boat, then the camera pans over to the spell book as the eye opens once more.

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Alternate Versions

When aired on the ITV network in the UK, the scene where the witches were hanged and cast the spell that would bring them back were cut. Viewers therefore didn't know exactly how they would come back.

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Connections

Spoofed in Hocus Pocus XXX (2010)

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Soundtracks

Row Row Row Your Boat
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung A Cappella by Tobias Jelinek and Larry Bagby

User Reviews

Childrens Film

First of all, anyone watching this film has to remember that it is aimed towards children. You cannot have the expectations that there is some deep meaning connected with this film, or that it is going to be another Bette Midler comedy with R-rated humor. If that is what you are looking for, watch "Ruthless People". This film is funny and cute. That is all. If I was a 10 year old child, I would love this movie. It is a family film and nobody should expect anything more. Secondly, it has Bette Midler and a wonderfully funny Kathy Najimy and dim-witted Sarah Jessica Parker......so, ENJOY!