Hocus Pocus (movie) facts for kids

Hocus Pocus is a fun American fantasy comedy movie from 1993. It was directed by Kenny Ortega. The main stars are Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. They play three silly and spooky witch sisters called the Sanderson Sisters.

The story is about a teenager named Max (Omri Katz). He accidentally brings the witches back to life. His younger sister Dani (Thora Birch) and his friend Allison (Vinessa Shaw) join him. Together, they try to stop the witches from causing trouble. When it first came out, some movie critics didn't love it. But it did well in theaters, earning over $39 million. Later, when it was released on home video, many people started to really enjoy it. It became a cult classic, which means lots of fans love it even years later!

What Happens in Hocus Pocus?

The Sanderson Sisters' Return

The movie starts in the 17th century in Salem, Massachusetts. Three witch sisters, Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson, are caught. They are sentenced to death for their magic. Before they are stopped, Winifred casts a curse. This curse says they will return if a virgin lights a special candle on Halloween.

Three hundred years later, in 1993, a teenage boy named Max Dennison moves to Salem. He thinks the stories about the witches are just old tales. On Halloween night, Max takes his sister Dani trick-or-treating. They meet Allison, a girl Max likes.

A Spooky Halloween Night

To prove he's not scared, Max lights the Black Flame Candle in the old Sanderson house. This brings the three witches back to life! Winifred, Sarah, and Mary are very confused by modern-day Salem. They quickly learn they need to steal the life force from children to stay young and alive forever. They plan to do this using a special potion.

Max, Dani, and Allison must work together to stop the witches. They try to keep the witches away from the town's children. They also try to find a way to make the witches disappear for good. They get help from a talking cat named Thackery Binx. He was a boy turned into a cat by the witches centuries ago.

The Race Against Time

The witches chase the kids all over Salem. They use their magic in funny and sometimes scary ways. The kids have to be smart and brave to outwit them. They use things like sunlight, which hurts the witches, and even a school kiln.

The movie ends with a big showdown. Max, Dani, and Allison must stop the witches before sunrise. If the witches drink the potion before the sun comes up, they will become immortal. The kids fight hard to save themselves and the children of Salem.

When Hocus Pocus Was Released

In Movie Theaters

Hocus Pocus first came out in the United States and Canada on July 16, 1993. It opened in fourth place at the box office. It earned about $8.1 million in its first weekend. The movie ended up making $39.5 million in total in North America. Later, it was released in other countries in October 1994.

On Home Video and TV

The movie became very popular after it was released on VHS on January 5, 1994. It was also released as part of the Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection and Gold Classic Collection. Later, it came out on DVD on June 4, 2002.

Hocus Pocus continued to sell well every year, especially in October around Halloween. On September 4, 2012, Disney released the movie on Blu-ray for the first time. Many families now watch it as a Halloween tradition.

Who Are the Stars?

The movie features a talented cast who brought the characters to life:

• Bette Midler plays Winifred Sanderson, the leader of the witch sisters.
• Sarah Jessica Parker plays Sarah Sanderson, the beautiful and silly witch.
• Kathy Najimy plays Mary Sanderson, the witch who can smell children.
• Jason Marsden is the voice of Thackery Binx, the talking cat.
• Omri Katz plays Max Dennison, the teenager who lights the candle.
• Thora Birch plays Dani Dennison, Max's younger sister.
• Vinessa Shaw plays Allison, Max's friend.

Awards and Special Mentions

Hocus Pocus received some awards and nominations for its fun story and performances.

More About the Movie

Images for kids

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  Midler dressed as Winifred Sanderson during her Divine Intervention Tour in 2015