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:

year 1993 | 17th century | halloween | spell | witch | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ernie "Ice", also has 'ice' shaved into the back of his head. His nickname and appearance is a rip on the early 90s rapper, Vanilla Ice.

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Goofs

When Max first gives Allison his number, the 9 is hardly legible. Once they are outside and she returns the paper, the 9 is clear.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[a witch passes by the window of Thackery Binx and Emily's bedroom; Thackery wakes up then a few seconds later, he lays back and sees that Emily is gone]
Thackery Binx: Emily? Emily!
[he leaves the house to search for Emily]
Thackery Binx: Emily!
[he runs up to Elijah]
Thackery Binx: Elijah! Elijah! Hast thou seen my sister Emily?
Elijah: Nay. But, look.
[he points to purple smoke in the sky]
Elijah: They conjure.
[...]

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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

Featured in 'Hocus Pocus' 25th Anniversary Panel at Midsummer (2018)

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Soundtracks

I Put a Spell on You
Written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Performed by Joseph Malone (as Joe Malone)

User Reviews

Hocus Pocus' Cute Energy And Halloween Spirit Make It A Sweet, If Familiar Treat.

In the years since its release in 1993, thanks to annual showings on television, Hocus Pocus has become something of a Halloween classic. I didn't grow up with the movie, and I don't think it is an especially well-crafted work, so I can't necessarily vouch for Hocus Pocus' "classic" status, but what I can vouch for is the movie's wholesome family spirit. This is a lovable little movie, the kind that renders any faults moot by the sheer charm of the production. I guess it's not a very good film, but its black magic worked on me.

I'll keep the summary short. Three witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) are resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts and they wreak havoc on Halloween night. A small band of kids try to stop them. That's really all the plot you need to know. What's important to consider is that the movie takes place on Halloween, and it makes the most of that setting. I've always had a soft spot for Halloween and Halloween-related accoutrement: Monsters, ghouls, jack-o-lanterns, and the like. So Hocus Pocus appeals to me on the basis of simply being about the holiday, and relishing in the spirit of Halloween. It is also one of the few Halloween movies to capture that specific "spooky, but not scary" feeling Halloween night had as a kid. For someone who has long outgrown trick-or-treating, it's an inviting bit of nostalgia.

Let's talk about the cast. Has there ever been a more likable bunch of actresses than the three witches here? Midler, Parker, and Najimy show no pretenses. They are just out there goofing around and having fun. Their performances aren't anything special, of course, but you can't tell me they didn't add more than their share of cute energy to the proceedings. Speaking of cute energy, I have to give a special shoutout to Thora Birch as the young sister, who gushes with charm. She's the heart of the movie, she's got screen presence, and she's a good little actress.

Not everyone will see Hocus Pocus the way I do. I have a pesky habit of rooting for movies because they are silly and innocent, rather than in spite of. Others find that sort of thing unbearable. In this case, Hocus Pocus has two things that distract me from its formulaic, kids- save-the-day plot: A lovable cast, and Halloween spirit. As dumb as it is, I still get the urge to revisit it every October. You could say I fell under its spell.

66/100

Details

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)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,125,471, 18 July 1993

Gross USA:

$44,342,713

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$44,947,705

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners 1

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1