Don’t believe anything you read. Hocus Pocus is a damn good movie. From its opening frame, the 1993 film contains all the magic and wonder you could want from a gateway horror movie – earning its place next to other ‘90s essentials like Halloweentown. It’s got a talking black cat, spooky spellcasting, a zombie, and three children-eating witches – oh my! Released in the height of summer (July 12), the Kenny Ortega-directed feature hasn’t lost its allure. In fact, its legacy is as strong as ever. It’s still an extraordinarily fun picture 30 years later.
Hocus Pocus endures because of nostalgia. In the era of TV reboots, remakes, and requels, millennials yearn for their childhood and a simpler time. There’s a reason we got a completely unnecessary sequel last fall. But more importantly, Hocus Pocus defines an entire generation of horror fans. For many, it was their very first spooky movie.
Hocus Pocus endures because of nostalgia. In the era of TV reboots, remakes, and requels, millennials yearn for their childhood and a simpler time. There’s a reason we got a completely unnecessary sequel last fall. But more importantly, Hocus Pocus defines an entire generation of horror fans. For many, it was their very first spooky movie.
- 8/17/2023
- by Bee Delores
- bloody-disgusting.com
Salem may never be free of witchery, especially when it comes to the Sanderson sisters from “Hocus Pocus.” When they first came to Salem to wreak havoc on the town and claim the lives of children to stay young and beautiful, it was 1993, 300 years after they were initially hung for draining the life source of one Emily Binx. Just in the nick of time, Winifred Sanderson cast a curse that ensured the return of the tricky trio. All it took was some airhead virgin lighting a candle.
“Hocus Pocus 2” sees the return of the witches alongside some new characters. A black cat named Cobweb reminds us of Thackery Binx from the first film. Chaos ensues as the Sanderson sisters try to accomplish their original goal in 2022, with iPhones, a Walgreens, Rumba vacuum cleaners and more.
Fans of the original “Hocus Pocus” or those just joining the fandom may be...
“Hocus Pocus 2” sees the return of the witches alongside some new characters. A black cat named Cobweb reminds us of Thackery Binx from the first film. Chaos ensues as the Sanderson sisters try to accomplish their original goal in 2022, with iPhones, a Walgreens, Rumba vacuum cleaners and more.
Fans of the original “Hocus Pocus” or those just joining the fandom may be...
- 9/30/2022
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
"Hocus Pocus 2" has a very funny moment that calls back to one of the stranger - and most criticized - parts of the 1993 original. In "Hocus Pocus," the Sanderson sisters can only return to Salem if a virgin teen lights the Black Flame candle. Max (Omri Katz) is the one to do it, and the movie is shameless in mocking him for his lack of sexual experience. Even his 8-year-old sister, Dani (Thora Birch), makes fun of him for it.
The focus on virginity is a little weird for a movie ostensibly for kids, and it's been the subject of a lot of criticism over the years for buying into tropes of toxic masculinity. Max doesn't deserve to be mocked because of what he has or hasn't done in his relationships (never mind the fact that virginity is a construct). "Hocus Pocus 2" makes a great change around this plot point,...
The focus on virginity is a little weird for a movie ostensibly for kids, and it's been the subject of a lot of criticism over the years for buying into tropes of toxic masculinity. Max doesn't deserve to be mocked because of what he has or hasn't done in his relationships (never mind the fact that virginity is a construct). "Hocus Pocus 2" makes a great change around this plot point,...
- 9/30/2022
- by Victoria Edel
- Popsugar.com
I was not allowed to see Hocus Pocus when it opened in theaters in 1993. Even at the ripe and mature age of six, it was considered to be too dark, and worse still too scary, for the youngest of audiences. That was the conclusion our local newspaper’s critic came to, in any event.
The evaluation would’ve probably amused the writers who first began spinning Hocus Pocus’ bewitching web in the 1980s. Originally the brainchild of writer/producer David Kirschner (who would go on to help create Chucky and the Child’s Play franchise), the first draft of Hocus Pocus was penned by Mick Garris (future creator of Masters of Horror). And the pair initially imagined it to be a darker movie for a slightly more adolescent audience. At one point, it was even almost a Steven Spielberg/Amblin production, with a tone that might’ve been closer to...
The evaluation would’ve probably amused the writers who first began spinning Hocus Pocus’ bewitching web in the 1980s. Originally the brainchild of writer/producer David Kirschner (who would go on to help create Chucky and the Child’s Play franchise), the first draft of Hocus Pocus was penned by Mick Garris (future creator of Masters of Horror). And the pair initially imagined it to be a darker movie for a slightly more adolescent audience. At one point, it was even almost a Steven Spielberg/Amblin production, with a tone that might’ve been closer to...
- 9/27/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Mark your calendars, virgins! Freeform just announced that a Hocus Pocus anniversary special is headed to the network, just in time for Halloween. The film's official 25th anniversary passed back in July, but Freeform picked a slightly more appropriate time to celebrate the occasion, given all the Halloween inspiration Hocus Pocus has contributed to pop culture since it was first released in 1993.
The Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash will air on Oct. 20 as part of the network's 31 Nights of Halloween lineup, and it's set to feature interviews with a few of the movie's original castmembers: Sarah Jessica Parker, Thora Birch, Kathy Najimy, and Amanda Shepherd. Sharon and Kelly Osbourne will also be in attendance at the bash to host a costume contest, and Dove Cameron is one of three artists set to perform. It might be a while before we get that Hocus Pocus sequel, but if you're feeling antsy about it,...
The Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash will air on Oct. 20 as part of the network's 31 Nights of Halloween lineup, and it's set to feature interviews with a few of the movie's original castmembers: Sarah Jessica Parker, Thora Birch, Kathy Najimy, and Amanda Shepherd. Sharon and Kelly Osbourne will also be in attendance at the bash to host a costume contest, and Dove Cameron is one of three artists set to perform. It might be a while before we get that Hocus Pocus sequel, but if you're feeling antsy about it,...
- 10/20/2018
- by Danielle Jackson
- Popsugar.com
Update: Bette Midler, the one and only Winifred Sanderson, has joined Freeform's Hocus Pocus special. See her teaser below. Previously: Sisters! Get ready to sing. Freeform announced it will air a star-studded Hocus Pocus 25th anniversary special on Saturday, Oct. 20. The new special, Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash, will air as part of the network's new 31 Nights of Halloween programming block. The celebration of the cult-classic film's anniversary will feature interviews with the movie's stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Doug Jones, Amanda Shepherd, Larry Bagby, Jason Marsden and Tobias Jelinek, as well as director Kenny Ortega, writers Mick Garris and...
- 10/18/2018
- E! Online
Sarah Jessica Parker was the belle of the ball at the New York City Ballet Fashion Gala on Thursday night. The actress made a dazzling appearance with husband Matthew Broderick, and we simply couldn't take our eyes off her gorgeous red gown. Clearly aware of how incredible she looked, Sarah twirled around on the red carpet and posed for a few photos of her own.
Sarah's glamorous appearance comes on the heels of Freeform's announcement that a Hocus Pocus anniversary special is headed to the network, just in time for Halloween. In honor of the beloved film's 25th anniversary, the Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash will air on Oct. 20 and will feature interviews with the original cast, including Sarah, Thora Birch, Kathy Najimy, and Amanda Shepherd. How exciting!
Related: Over 20 Years Worth of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's Big City Love...
Sarah's glamorous appearance comes on the heels of Freeform's announcement that a Hocus Pocus anniversary special is headed to the network, just in time for Halloween. In honor of the beloved film's 25th anniversary, the Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash will air on Oct. 20 and will feature interviews with the original cast, including Sarah, Thora Birch, Kathy Najimy, and Amanda Shepherd. How exciting!
Related: Over 20 Years Worth of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's Big City Love...
- 9/30/2018
- by Monica Sisavat
- Popsugar.com
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