As October rolls around, fans of Hocus Pocus are gleefully revisiting the Halloween classic. But here’s a twist: it seems like Winifred Sanderson herself, played by the legendary Bette Midler, isn't as into the annual binge-watch as the rest of us. Surprisingly, the star admitted that she hasn't seen the spooky movie in at least two decades. Can you believe that?
At her annual Hulaween charity event on October 29, Bette opened up to People about her relationship with the film. "I do not watch it regularly," she confessed. The 72-year-old actress explained that she only revisited the movie the night before its 25th-anniversary celebration in July. "I thought it was so funny!" Bette exclaimed. "When I watched it the first time, I was only focused on myself. But this time, I saw everybody. And let me tell you, those girls in the back—they were going full blast! They were giving me a run for my money. The kids were fantastic, and everyone was just great!"
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Back to the Beginning: The Story of 'Hocus Pocus'
Released in 1993, Hocus Pocus tells the tale of three mischievous witches, the Sanderson Sisters, who are accidentally resurrected by a group of kids. Played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, these witches are determined to become immortal, and it's up to the kids, with the help of a magical cat, to stop them. The plot might sound dark, but the movie's humor and charm make it a family-friendly favorite.
A Rocky Start Turned Halloween Classic
Interestingly, Hocus Pocus didn’t start out as the beloved classic it is today. When it premiered on July 16, 1993, it flopped at the box office. Who would've thought that a summer release with such a dark theme would eventually become a Halloween staple? Yet, here we are, 25 years later, celebrating it as one of the most cherished Halloween films.
At the 25th-anniversary event hosted by Freeform, Sarah Jessica Parker expressed her surprise at Disney's willingness to create such a dark movie. "I guess what I remember most is how awful we were as characters," Sarah shared with People. "The idea was to get a child and essentially destroy them, but because it was done in such an exaggerated, ridiculous way, it was a blast."
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From Scary to Silly: The Making of 'Hocus Pocus'
While the plot might seem scary on paper, the magic happens when you add in the humor. Kathy Najimy explained during an interview with Entertainment Tonight that the movie's tone shifted once they were all in character and costume. "It seems scarier on paper," she said. "But once you get me, Sarah, and Bette in our characters, with all the jokes flying around and everyone bumping into each other, sucking the life out of kids becomes secondary. It's not scary anymore—it's fun!"
Whether you find it hair-raising or hilarious, Hocus Pocus has carved out a permanent place in the hearts of Halloween lovers everywhere. To celebrate this year, Bette began posting a series of 25 images from the film on her Instagram starting October 2. Her feed is now filled with nostalgic pictures that she says "intrigued" her. "It was an opportunity to do things that I really loved to do," Bette told People at the 25th-anniversary event.
As Halloween wraps up, we'll have to wait another year to get back into the Hocus Pocus spirit. But who knows? Maybe next year, Bette will join in the fun. Until then, let’s keep shouting, "Amuck! Amuck! Amuck!"
