It’s hard to believe Hocus Pocus is now over 20 years old. I still remember the first time I watched this film. The magic, adventure and fun characters immediately captivated my attention. Needless to say, I have been a huge Hocus Pocus fan ever since. It is not only a Halloween movie staple in my household but a movie we enjoy year round. In honor of Halloween, let’s take a look at some eerily fun Hocus Pocus facts and trivia tidbits.
- Hocus Pocus began life as a bedtime story that producer David Kirschner would tell to his daughter. He continued to develop the bedtime tale of the Sanderson Sisters into a short story that appeared in Muppet Magazine. Eventually, this short story evolved into the movie script that would become Disney’s Hocus Pocus.
- Originally, Hocus Pocus was slated to be a Disney Channel movie. However, the Disney executives were quickly agreed to make Hocus Pocus into feature film after the pitch presentation where the conference room tables were full of candy corn and various witchy props decorated the room.
- Filming was a long process and stretched from October 1992 to February 1993 due to the restrictions placed on under aged actors.
- Even though Hocus Pocus is set in the eerie town of Salem, Massachusetts the majority of the movie was filmed in Burbank on Disney’s soundstage 2 – the largest soundstage on property. The massive soundstage held an old, mossy filled grave yard and a complete full-sized version of the Sanderson Sister’s home.
- Peggy Holmes was contracted to be the choreographer for the film. Due to the extended period of filming, Holmes was able to choreographer every aspect of the film from the Sanderson Sister distinct walk to how the sisters flew their respective brooms/vehicles.
- Kenny Ortega of High School Musical fame directed Hocus Pocus. This is the first and only movie that Ortega directed but did not choreograph.
- Bette Midler designed the look and makeup of Winifred Sanderson and still has Winifred’s false teeth.
- Sarah Jessica Parker performed her own vocal tracks for Hocus Pocus.
- Originally, Leonardo DiCaprio was slated to play Max Dennison. However, he turned the role down to star in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
- Sean Murray (NCIS) was the actor who played young Thackery Binx. Interestingly, Murray did not provide Binx’s voice while in cat form. Binx’s feline voice was provided by Jason Marsden.
- Hocus Pocus had a total budget of $28 million. Upon its release in 1993, the film grossed $40 million which was slightly less than projected numbers.