Top 10 Behind the Scenes Secrets About Hocus Pocus

Unless you were a fan of all things Halloween growing up, stories about evil child-hungry witches and cursed cats probably weren’t what you wanted to hear before lights out. However, for David Kirschner, a spooky bedtime story went on to inspire a cult classic. He conjured up the tale for his daughters that spotlighted his love for spooky season, and soon, a movie was born. While pitching the narrative to Disney, he transformed their meeting room into a Halloween spooktacular. Brooms were hanging from the ceiling, pictures of black cats were dotted around the room, and a 15-pound bag of candy corn sat on the table. Is it any wonder Disney was so keen to get on board?

In a former life, Winifred Sanderson and Billy Butcherson were an item. And, let’s just say things didn’t end on good terms. So, when she brings him back from the dead to help carry out her evil scheme, he has a few choice words for his former flame. According to actor Doug Jones, these weren’t the words originally scripted for his grand return. After unsealing his mouth, he was meant to call Winifred something that rhymes with “witch.” Jones didn’t feel comfortable hurling that kind of language at Midler, and in a kids’ movie, no less, so he changed it. Well, Billy did have to wait 300 years to deliver the perfect insult, and he nailed it.

Did you ever notice how the way each Sanderson sister rides her broomstick reflects her character? Winnie’s quite vigorous, Mary’s more guarded, and Sarah throws caution to the wind. This was carefully choreographed by Peggy Holmes, who had an interesting way to gauge the actress’ household appliance riding styles. She joined each one on a car journey, examined how they drove, and incorporated it into their flying technique. And the coolest part is that they were actually flying! Ok, so Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker didn’t magically develop flying skills, but it wasn’t CGI either. Parker especially enjoyed getting hoisted into the air on a harness and would happily stay up there for ages.

The "Hocus Pocus" cast couldn't have been more perfect. So it's almost unimaginable that in a parallel universe, the role of Max could've gone to Leonardo DiCaprio. According to the actor, Disney offered him a large monetary sum to come on board. Director Kenny Ortega recalled being asked to meet with this relatively new actor even though he wasn't available for the job. Specifics aside, both accounts agree on the fact that DiCaprio was never actually involved in the project. Instead, he went on to star in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," which arguably launched his career, earning him the first Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.

Unless you're a super-duper huge "Hocus Pocus" fan, you might not know that the movie was partially filmed in Salem. You can visit Pioneer Village, which set the tone for the movie at the beginning, or stop by the Old Town Hall, where the iconic Halloween party scene occurred. If you ever dreamt of attending a soiree at the Ropes Mansion, also known as the exterior of Allison’s residence, good news, you can – well, kind of. It’s now part of the Peabody Essex Museum. While they probably don't host any raucous All Hallows’ Eve parties, you can still visit! In 2022, the museum resurrected the spirit of the 1993 cult classic with some festive decorations. Just stay clear of any Black Flame candles!

At the start of the movie, we meet Thackery Binx, a young man who’s turned into a cat after failing to rescue his sister from the witches. He later helps Max, Allison, and Dani save Salem from their clutches. According to the latter, played by Thora Birch, it’s true what they say about working with animals. While the human Binx is indeed portrayed by “NCIS’” Sean Murray, the voice we hear actually belongs to Jason Marsden, a.k.a Max from “A Goofy Movie.” Per Marsden, Murray’s voice sounded too modern for a 300 or so-year-old feline. So, instead, they asked him to dub the role, both human and cat, with a more era-appropriate inflection.

If the idea of life-sucking witches gave you nightmares as a kid, we hate to break it to you, but “Hocus Pocus” could’ve been much scarier. As Kathy Najimy once revealed to SyFy Wire, the film initially focused more on the Sanderson sisters than on the kids. She shared that what audiences saw was far from the movie they originally shot. Disney decided it needed to be more child-friendly and changed the vibe in post-production. Several deleted scenes spotlighted the witches and their antics, one of which can briefly be seen in the trailer. Even if they ultimately got less screen time, no one gives off more main character energy than the Sanderson sisters.

How many of us dreamt of dressing as a Sanderson Sister for Halloween? As designer Mary Vogt told Glamour, much thought and a lot of money went into creating outfits that reflected the characters' personalities. Mary's dress resembles a baker; Sarah's was modeled after "Sleeping Beauty," and who else could inspire Winnie’s outfit than the legendary Bette Midler herself? However, this consumed much of the costume budget, so they got creative, using old Disney looks in some places and getting crafty in others. Max and Dani's mom's Madonna costume is a notable example; after all, the DIY look works with the plot, and it’s undeniably epic. We have to give credit where it's due; even on a tight budget, Vogt's costumes are iconic!

As we've already discussed, the scene where Billy first speaks is pretty memorable. However, it's also a little gross since moths and dust fly out his mouth, but you'd be mistaken if you thought this was some cool CGI trick. Yep, that's right; the moths were real. The actor shared that he had a “dental dam” placed in his mouth with a latex covering and that the creatures were placed on it using tweezers. Unfortunately for Jones, a light broke during their first take, so they had to try again. Jones also filmed a dance number for a scene, but it was cut. An award just for his commitment to the role wouldn't be amiss.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

A Nod to “Gypsy”
We’ll Always Let Her Entertain Us

Satan’s Creepy Relationship
Director Garry Marshall & His Sister Penny Cameo as a Couple

Everyone Did Their Own Singing
We Can Confirm That Yes, Those Are Sarah Jessica Parker’s Dulcet Tones

Bette Midler’s Ye Old Cursing Improv
Midler Was Reportedly Committed to Making Sure Her Swears Were Era-Appropriate

Tony Gardner Released BTS Photos
The Animatronic Effects Artist Shared Pics from His Time on the “Hocus Pocus” Set

We know this secret is pretty shocking, but it's true! David Kirschner didn't think a musical number would fit the film's overall tone, and felt that its inclusion would ruin the movie. However, you can't cast Bette Midler and not expect her to sing! In fact, this lively version of Jay Hawkins' classic tune was arranged for the actress by Marc Shaiman. It also would've been wrong not to take full advantage of Kenny Ortega's far-reaching talents. Indeed, it became the most legendary scene of the entire movie, and for good reason. In hindsight, Kirschner happily admits just how wrong he was. With its enchanting melody, party vibes, and star power, we're glad this number ultimately "put a spell" on him too.