Hocus Pocus is celebrating its 25th anniversary
By Kara Hedash
Dust off those broomsticks, it’s time to celebrate! The Disney cult classic, Hocus Pocus, debuted 25 years ago. Let’s take a look back at the film’s legacy!
Halloween is still months away, but there’s already a major reason to celebrate. The beloved Disney movie Hocus Pocus hit theaters 25 years ago today. If that makes you feel old, you are certainly not alone. The movie, which told the tale of a trio of witches, is a TV staple come October. With the right amount of comedy and children-appropriate horror, Hocus Pocus is on the must-watch list every Halloween season.
The film was originally intended to debut as a Disney Channel original movie until Walt Disney Studios caught wind of the script. With Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker in the leads, Disney rolled the dice. The three actresses portrayed the role of the menacing Sanderson sisters, a group of witches from the 1600s that hunt children. After a teenager named Max lights the infamous Black Flame Candle on Halloween, it breaks a spell and resurrects the witches. Max, along with his sister Dani and friend Allison, must stop the witches from wreaking havoc on Salem, Massachusettes. And let’s not forget their key ally in Thackery, a teenage boy who is stuck to live an immortal life as a black cat.
A growing legacy
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The Sanderson sisters sure put a spell on us because, with time, Hocus Pocus has become a cult classic hit. DVD sales skyrocketed over the years after its initial release and connected to a new audience who might have been too young to watch in the early ’90s. The generation who grew up watching the movie were gifted to numerous TV airings each year on the Disney Channel and 13 Nights of Halloween on ABC Family (now Freeform). As millennials continue to soak up the nostalgia, the importance of catching Hocus Pocus each year has only grown.
Over the two and a half decades since the debut, Disney and the cast have embraced the film’s legacy. Hocus Pocus became a prominent presence in Disney Parks’ Halloween celebrations and was honored at D23 during its 20th anniversary. Midler who starred as the eldest Sanderson, sister, Winnie, even dressed as her character to perform “I Put a Spell on You” during one of her tours.
What’s the future of the franchise?
So will we ever see the Sanderson sisters run amok again? For years there have been rumors regarding a planned Disney sequel. The core cast even expressed interest in returning to reprise their roles. One of the film’s writers, Mick Garris, hinted at the possibility of a Hocus Pocus sequel for a TV film. Then in September of last year, Disney confirmed Hocus Pocus will make a return but as a remake. There’s a chance that the original cast could be involved in some way. Considering Midler’s unfavorable reaction to the remake news, it might be safe to assume she won’t be back. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate the original film any less. It’s also important to add that Funko will be releasing a set of Hocus Pocus Pops just in time for the Halloween season.
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How will you be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hocus Pocus? Tell us in the comments below!