Hocus Pocus is one of the most iconic Disney movies and Halloween movies! There are so many cool Hocus Pocus facts that I’m going to share with you in this post.
Hocus Pocus was released in 1993 and had a sequel called Hocus Pocus 2 that came out in 2022.
It’s about a teenage boy, Max Dennison, who moves from California to Salem, Massachusetts.
He accidentally brings back the Sanderson Sisters, Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, then he has to figure out how to get rid of them.
This movie is funny, spooky, and downright amazing! Are you ready to learn some cool facts about it? Come, we fly!
1. It Was Released In The Summer
You’d think this movie would have been released in September or October since it’s a Halloween movie, but for some reason it came out in the summer. The release date was July 16, 1993.
Related Content: 8 Best Hocus Pocus Disneybound Outfit Ideas
2. It Didn’t Do Well Initially
This movie was not a hit when it came out. It took years for it to take off, which is so surprising considering how loved it is today!
3. Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Down A Role
Leonardo DiCaprio auditioned for the role of Max Dennison and landed the part, but he ended up turning it down to be in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
While I originally thought it would have been cool if he was in the movie, I can’t imagine anyone other than Omri Katz. He’s played the role of Max so perfectly!
4. Thackery Binx The Cat And The Person Have Different Voices
Thackery the human was portrayed by Sean Murray, but the voice of Thackery as a cat was done by Jason Marsden.
Related Content: 46 Hocus Pocus Quotes That Freakishly Hit The Mark
5. It’s The First Disney Movie To Say Virgin In It
Max being a virgin and lighting the black flame candle is obviously a big part of Hocus Pocus.
It may feel a little cringe and uncomfortable that they use the word virgin though since younger audiences like the movie too.
6. The Moths Were Real
I don’t know how he did it, but Doug Jones (the actor who played Billy Butcherson) had real moths in his mouth that he coughed up for the scene where they come flying out.
The special effects makeup person for the film, Tony Gardner, built a little contraption that went into Doug’s mouth. I can’t even handle how disgusting that is!
7. James Horner Wrote A Song
James Horner wrote the song “Come Little Children” that Sarah Sanderson sings in the movie. He is also known for writing the Titanic song “My Heart Will Go On”.
8. The Date Of The Movie Doesn’t Add Up
Remember how Max went to school on Halloween before the events of the night ensued?
Well, this wouldn’t have happened because Halloween 1993 was on a Sunday and we all know there’s no school on Sundays.
9. The Friends Fountain Is In The Movie
Remember the iconic fountain you see during the theme song of the show Friends? It’s in Hocus Pocus too!
The fountain is located in Los Angeles, California and is on the Warner Bros lot.
You can see it in Hocus Pocus when Dani, Allison, Max, and Thackery Binx are running around celebrating getting rid of the Sanderson Sisters.
9. Rosie O’Donnell Turned Down A Role
Rose was offered the part of Mary Sanderson. She’s turned it down and the part went to Kathy Najimy instead.
10. The Movie Has A Sequel
Hocus Pocus 2 was released on Disney+ in September 2022.
Some people don’t love the movie, but I do! It’s not as good as the original, but how could it be? The best part about it is that the original actresses who played the Sanderson Sisters did it again.
We were missing an update on Max and Allison though, and of course a Dani update too.