On Oct. 20, Freeform celebrated the 25th anniversary of the popular Halloween movie, “Hocus Pocus.” The film depicts a teenage boy who takes his chances exploring a well-known house that used to belong to three witches during the Salem Witch Trial Era. He goes to the house with his love interest Allison and younger sister Dani.
While at the house, Allison tells Max about the history and the three sisters who lived there, the Sanderson sisters. Attempting to impress Allison, Max foolishly lights a candle that brings the Sanderson sisters back to life, unleashing an unruly amount of consequences. With the help of a talking cat, the three kids have to steal the witches’ magical spell book and stop them from turning themselves immortal and destroying Salem. This classic Halloween film was celebrated by having a “Hocus Pocus” Anniversary Bash. The bash was in a concert/ award show setting hosted by Vanessa Hudgens and Jordan Fisher; the audience members included a large part of the movie’s cult following. There were people dressed as characters from the film such as the three Sanderson sisters and Max Dennison. The party also featured guest stars from the movie to share their personal memories and favorite scenes.
Actress Bette Midler who plays Winifred Sanderson mentioned that she was drawn to the script the first time she read it. She said it was interesting and a different type of comedy that is broader than what you normally see, according to an interview with Pop Sugar.
The original costumes from the movie were featured at the D23 Expo 2011. Fans were able to marvel at the simplistic style of the dresses of the witches as well as gain inspiration for variations of the costumes for themselves. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
However, Sarah Jessica Parker who portrays Sarah Sanderson said that she found the script surprisingly dark, especially since it is a Disney movie. She found the plot of the Sanderson sisters chasing children to destroy them awful, but since it was in a comedic and fun way, she agreed to the part.
Parker also has an extra connection with her character due to one of her ancestors being arrested for witchcraft long ago.
Disney World also centers their Halloween event around the film and its villains at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which is extra special this year since the film is celebrating an important anniversary.
The Halloween celebration is going to be just as extravagant as all of their other ones with fireworks, Pixar-worthy visuals, amazing dancing that has been expertly choreographed, and other great surprises. There will be other Disney villains present such as Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, and Maleficent, according to Bustle.
During the pop-up edition of the film that Freeform aired, there were comedic commentary and trivia. Some interesting trivia facts that were shown included that the cat’s voice was not the voice of Sean Murray, who portrayed the human version of Binx. Since the producers did not want inconsistencies like this, they did a voice over of Sean Murray’s parts with the voice of Jason Marsden, the actor who voiced Binx in cat version.
Another trivia fact was that the outside of Allison’s house is a real haunted house that can be toured in Salem, Massachusetts. Also, the scene where Billy Butcherson cuts open his mouth and moths fly out was not CGI, those were real moths.
There was a little fan moment for “Friends” lovers as well, in the scene where Max tells Binx that he is now a Dennison. In the background, Dani and Allison are dancing around a fountain, the same fountain in the opening credits of the infamous television-comedy, “Friends.”
The film is considered a Halloween classic and Disney favorite. There are vast amounts of people dressed in costume as the Sanderson sisters every Halloween as the three sisters make a great trio costume idea.
