How at The Game of Nerds have we not reviewed the movie Hocus Pocus?! The fandom for this movie is strong. To be fair, Hocus Pocus came out in 1993, which was before TGON was born. We had mentioned it before in articles but never reviewed it. I am here to fix that. Also, Hocus Pocus 2 comes out Friday, September 30th, 2022, on Disney+. Be sure to check it out. Let’s get to the movie.
This movie has it all. There is magic, enchanted black flame candles, zombies, witches, family, and friends. The film even has a black cat guardian. It has comedy and drama, and even some touching moments.
When the movie opens, we are taken to the past when the Sanderson witches Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) set their spell to come back when the black flame candle was lit and was hung. Coming to the present day (in 1993 anyway), we meet Max (Omri Katz) and his sister Dani (Thora Birch). It is Halloween and Max had a bad day on the way home from school. He doesn’t want to take Dani trick-or-treating but does so because he wants to be a good big brother.
It turns out it’s a good thing he did. Max and Dani meet Allison (Vinessa Shaw), and the three of them go to the Sanderson sister’s house. Max lights the black flame candle, setting off the spell that brings back the witches. After that, it is up to Max, Dani, and Allison with the help of Binx (Jason Marsden voice). Binx is a kid that the witches turned into a black cat and killed his sister.
In true Disney fashion, there is a terrific musical number. Bette Midler sings I Put A Spell On You and it enchants the whole town. I love how each of the witches has their unique talents. Winifred being the leader, is played spectacularly by Ms. Midler. Ms. Parker plays Sarah, an airhead, to perfection. Ms. Najimy is wonderfully funny as Mary.
Max, Allison, and Dani are brave kids. Max loves his sister as much as Dani loves him, and they are definitely Disney siblings. They get through everything effortlessly. The three of them fall in love with Binx. Billy the zombie (Doug Jones) is silly but needed.
I love this movie. It is something the whole family can watch. I am stupidly excited to see Hocus Pocus 2 on September 30th. I will be reviewing that for you right here at TGON. I can’t wait to share this with my kids too. Have you watched Hocus Pocus? Are you excited to watch Hocus Pocus 2? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Until next time, have fun storming the castle!
