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
Sarah Jessica Parker	...	Sarah
Kathy Najimy	...	Mary
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

The three little girls who steal the witches' brooms from in front of the house are dressed as the sisters themselves: Winifred has red hair and a green cape, Mary has black hair and a red cape, and Sarah has blonde hair and a purple cape.

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Goofs

When Sarah flies back to the house after singing her song, her costume has shifted and the right leg of her denim shorts beneath is clearly visible.

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Quotes

Winifred Sanderson: Oh, cheese and crust! He's lost his head! Damn that Thackery Binx!

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Crazy Credits

The Walt Disney logo at the start is tinted blue (the one at the end has the usual coloring).

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Alternate Versions

When ITV showed the film at Easter 2001, the following scenes were cut: the witches hanging, Max swinging a branch at Billy Butcherson and the subsequent loss of his head, the shot of a flattened Binx the cat after he's run over by the bus, Billy cutting open his mouth after he snatches the knife off Max, and Billy losing his head for a second time. The ending was also altered, skipping over the parents leaving the party and Ernie & Jay still locked in their cages, cutting straight to the book's eye opening.

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Connections

Referenced in The Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash (2018)

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Soundtracks

I Put a Spell on You
Written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Produced and Arranged by Marc Shaiman

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!