10 Surprising Things You Didn't Know About 'Hocus Pocus'

Oh look, another glorious Halloween season. Time to binge-watch Hocus Pocus!

Updated on August 10, 2020

Since its premiere in 1993, Hocus Pocus has become a Halloween icon—so much so, that it's scheduled to appear no less than 27 times in Freeform's Halloween programming, and Spirit Halloween even has a whole costume line dedicated to the movie. While you run amok, amok, amok waiting for the film to appear on your television screen this year (or snag the DVD at Target for $6), catch up on your Hocus Pocus trivia with these surprising facts.

Halloween Movie Hocus Pocus Sanderson Sisters — Image courtesy of Freeform.

01 of 10

It's Bette Midler's Favorite Film

Bette Midler, who plays Winifred Sanderson, once said that Hocus Pocus is her favorite movie she's ever been a part of—even though she didn't re-watch the movie for at least 20 years.

02 of 10

Those Were Real Moths!

The actor who played Billy Butcherson had to hold real live moths in his mouth until it was time for them to be released. Eeek! The production team had to fashion a dental contraption to keep the moths alive and off the actor's tongue during filming.

03 of 10

It Was Originally a Bedtime Story

David Kirschner originally wrote this as a bedtime story for his kids. They loved it so much, he sent it to Muppet Magazine, and it was published there before it was turned in to the movie.

04 of 10

9 Different Cats Played Binx

According to Humane Hollywood, nine different cats played Binx. It turns out this is a common practice for animals in films; it keeps the animals from getting too tired during the busy filming schedule.

05 of 10

Leonardo DiCaprio Almost Played Max

You know him as your favorite 90s heartthrob—but we would have known him as Max Dennison, had Leo not turned down the part for What's Eating Gilbert Grape. After Leo declined, the role was given to Omri Katz.

06 of 10

Rosie O'Donnell Almost Played a Witch

Rosie O'Donnell revealed she was offered the part of Mary Sanderson, but she turned it down because she said she was nervous to play a "scary" part. We really can't imagine anyone other than Kathy Najimy as Mary!

07 of 10

The Movie Was a Flop at First

When Hocus Pocus was released, it made $39.5 million and was fourth place in the box office, which is on the low end for a Disney movie at that time. It probably didn't help that it was released in July, rather than at Halloween like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Addams Family Values, which were released the same year.

08 of 10

The Music Is Based on "The Wizard of Oz"

The music from the cemetery fight scene at the end of the movie was based on the Wicked Witch's theme song from The Wizard of Oz. We love that there's a connection between these two iconic films.

09 of 10

Disney Waited 8 Years to Make It

Disney received the script in 1984, but wasn't excited enough about the film to actually make it until 1992. We're glad they changed their minds and decided to make it!

10 of 10

Sarah Jessica Parker Did Eat the Spider

On the Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Bash, which premiered on Freeform last October, Sarah Jessica Parker revealed the answer to something we've been wondering for 26 years—she really did eat the spider!

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