Many 90's kids probably can’t specifically remember the first time they saw the movie Hocus Pocus, but it’s almost certain that they remember watching it constantly during the Halloween season. Today the film’s considered a cult classic.
However, while Hocus Pocus has established a reputation as a must-watch Halloween movie, it wasn’t always clear that it would have the level of success it has grown into. The story behind Hocus Pocus and its turbulent debut echoes that of a phoenix rising from the ashes. While the Sanderson sisters may be defeated at the climax of the film, the movie's subsequent popularity found among younger audiences has allowed them to transcend death and come back again year after year. Here’s how Hocus Pocus went from box-office flop to a Halloween tradition.
It Began as a Bedtime Story
The inception of Hocus Pocus was not originally as a movie at all according to an article by the Logan County Public Library. The movie found its start as a bedtime story that the film’s Producer, David Kirschner (of Child’s Play fame), would tell to his children.
After submitting the story he told to his kids to Muppets Magazine, Kirschner received positive reactions and feedback that encouraged him to take the story to Disney. Disney picked up Hocus Pocus under its original name, Halloween House, and planned it as a Disney Channel Original Movie. Studio heads then decided after further review that the script had potential to be something huge. While they were eventually correct, the initial release of the film wasn’t particularly successful.
Halloween in July and Mixed Reception
Hocus Pocus, despite being set on Halloween, was actually released in July of 1993 as opposed to October. This decision was to avoid other Halloween films at the box office, however the film only managed to take in $39.5 million. The film had a budget of $28 million, making this a decidedly poor performance, especially for a Disney film.In addition to a lackluster audience turnout, critical reception was negative as well. Roger Ebert felt Hocus Pocus was “a film desperately in need of self-discipline.”
Despite an initially disappointing turnout for the movie, this would not spell the end for the witchy tale. Just like the Sanderson sisters, Hocus Pocus would be back again. Luckily for audiences, it didn’t take another 300 years.
Sleeper Success and Cult Status
For those who remember growing up watching Hocus Pocus, the areas in which the film finally found success shouldn’t be surprising at all. The VHS release of the film made its way to many families and continued to spread most notably through seasonal television events like Disney Freeform’s (ABC Family for the true children of the era) annual “13 Nights of Halloween.” As a not-too-spooky tale that nonetheless embraced the spirit of the season, Hocus Pocus was a perfect treat for younger viewers, and it became part of their yearly Halloween ritual.
Interestingly enough, the phrase “Hocus Pocus,” from the 1600s was used to describe a magician or someone who used sleight of hand. By appearing to burn out at the box office Hocus Pocus was able to brew a potion for success and pull off its greatest trick in becoming one of the most well-known Halloween movies ever made.