Hocus Pocus
Stream
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After 300 years of slumber, three sister witches are accidentally resurrected in Salem on Halloween night, and it is up to three kids and their newfound feline friend to put an end to the witches' reign of terror once and for all.
What critics thought
Critics largely panned Hocus Pocus on release, finding the plot muddled and the comic energy wasted on thin material — a particular sting given the caliber of its three leads. The film has since found a devoted cult audience, especially around Halloween, making the gulf between its critical drubbing and its enduring popularity one of the more striking reversals in 1990s family-film history.
“a confusing cauldron in which there is great activity but little progress, and a lot of hysterical shrieking”
Roger Ebert·The Chicago Sun-Times
“acceptable scary-silly kid fodder that adults will find only mildly insulting. Unless they're Bette Midler fans. In which case it's depressing as hell”
Ty Burr·Entertainment Weekly
“Trying to break expectations isn't always a wise idea and here Disney show how not to do it. With this supposed-family movie, they disappoint on nearly every level. The plot is weak, the action poor and it's got Bette Midler, simply dreadful.”
Kim Newman·Empire
Genres
Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Cast & Crew
Kenny OrtegaDirector
Omri KatzMax Dennison
Thora BirchDani Dennison
Vinessa ShawAllison
Bette MidlerWinifred Sanderson
Sarah Jessica ParkerSarah Sanderson
Kathy NajimyMary Sanderson
Tobias JelinekJay
Larry BagbyErnie / 'Ice'
Doug JonesBilly Butcherson
Amanda ShepherdEmily
Stephanie FaracyJenny Dennison
Charles RocketDave Dennison
John DebneyComposer
David KirschnerWriter
Mick GarrisWriter
Hiro NaritaCinematographyHocus Pocus
After 300 years of slumber, three sister witches are accidentally resurrected in Salem on Halloween night, and it is up to three kids and their newfound feline friend to put an end to the witches' reign of terror once and for all.
What critics thought
Critics largely panned Hocus Pocus on release, finding the plot muddled and the comic energy wasted on thin material — a particular sting given the caliber of its three leads. The film has since found a devoted cult audience, especially around Halloween, making the gulf between its critical drubbing and its enduring popularity one of the more striking reversals in 1990s family-film history.
“a confusing cauldron in which there is great activity but little progress, and a lot of hysterical shrieking”
Roger Ebert·The Chicago Sun-Times
“acceptable scary-silly kid fodder that adults will find only mildly insulting. Unless they're Bette Midler fans. In which case it's depressing as hell”
Ty Burr·Entertainment Weekly
“Trying to break expectations isn't always a wise idea and here Disney show how not to do it. With this supposed-family movie, they disappoint on nearly every level. The plot is weak, the action poor and it's got Bette Midler, simply dreadful.”
Kim Newman·Empire
Genres
Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Cast & Crew
Kenny OrtegaDirectorOmri KatzMax DennisonThora BirchDani DennisonVinessa ShawAllisonBette MidlerWinifred SandersonSarah Jessica ParkerSarah SandersonKathy NajimyMary SandersonTobias JelinekJayLarry BagbyErnie / 'Ice'Doug JonesBilly ButchersonAmanda ShepherdEmilyStephanie FaracyJenny DennisonCharles RocketDave DennisonJohn DebneyComposerDavid KirschnerWriterMick GarrisWriterHiro NaritaCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy