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Hocus Pocus debuted in 1993 and is a household name today. The film stars the Sanderson Sisters, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. Now learn, 10 fascinating facts you didn’t know about Disney Hocus Pocus!
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Hocus Pocus Costume Display at Spirit Halloween 2020 photo: Thanks, Sara
1. Box Office Performance
The initial release of Hocus Pocus was not anything overwhelming claiming #4 in the box office opening weekend. However, this movie has continued to grow in popularity and is now a pop culture staple. During the uncertain times of 2020, Disney re-released Hocus Pocus in the theaters and it earned over $3 million in 10 days, an impressive achievement!
2. Filming Locations
The movie is set and primarily filmed in Salem, Massachusetts (home to the infamous The Salem Witch Trials of 1692). While many scenes from Hocus Pocus were set in Salem, such as in Salem’s Pioneer Village, some were filmed in Burbank, California within sound stages. Additionally, the Cemetery seen in the film is said to be located in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with graves dating back to the 17th century.
3. Not a Halloween Release
Both Hocus Pocus and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas were released in 1993. Hocus Pocus did not take the Halloween release month however, instead Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas was released on October 13, 1993. Hocus Pocus actually released during the summer, on July 16, 1993.
4. Stars that turned down Hocus Pocus Roles
Leonardo DiCaprio turned down the role of Max Dennison when offered. Instead, he chose to appear in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, earning Leonardo DiCaprio an Academy Award nomination. It is also reported that Rosie O’Donnell turned down the role of Mary Sanderson because the idea of being a scary witch did not appeal.
5. Real-Life Salem, Mass. Connection
One of the Sanderson sisters has a real-life connection to Salem, Massachusetts. Sarah Jessica Parker discovered in her family history that her 10th great-grandmother had actually been accused of “acts of witchcraft”! Her name, Esther Elwell, got out lucky as the witch trials had ended.
6. Hocus Pocus, the bedtime story
The origin of Hocus Pocus comes from writer David Kirschner, telling the story at bedtime to his children. He later wrote it down and submitted to the late magazine, Muppet Magazine. This caused the story to gain popularity.
7. The Pitch to Disney
Writers used clever and elaborate props to pitch the movie idea to Disney. This includes entering a dark room with broomsticks and 15 pounds of candy corn scattered throughout the room!
8. Nine Cats
They say cats have 9 lives, and that Hocus Pocus had 9 cat actors that played Binx. Each cat had its own role to play and did so better than others! For instance, one cat could jump on command, while another was great for cuddling with the kids.
9. Iconic Fountain
During the film, be sure to notice a familiar water fountain. Then, re-watch a FRIENDS episode for the intro song and you will notice the same iconic water fountain is seen!
10. Hocus Pocus + American Beauty Connections
Thora Birch, a child during Hocus Pocus, took on another role later in life during American Beauty. The irony is the house seen in Hocus Pocus, when the kids think they have locked the Sanderson Sisters in the kiln, is the same house her character lives in during American Beauty!