Exploring Hocus Pocus - From Box Office Flop to Halloween Favorite

[@chartabona]

So they wanted Stephen Spielberg but couldn't get him, then released their Halloween movie, IN JULY, against Spielberg's Jurassic Park.

[@matthewdopler8997]

1993 was a good year for Spielberg. Jurassic Park was the highest grossing film of that year with him reporting earning $250 million. Schindler’s List also released that year and won multiple awards including best director and best picture.

[@Lucky_Chase]

Yea... It was an idiot move.

[@Patrick-jj5nh]

Releasing a Halloween picture in July...what could possibly go wrong.

[@LB74]

Dimension released all the HALLOWEEN flicks, except for CURSE, in July, August. The brains looked at it as a brand.

[@SunBunz]

I saw both Jurassic Park AND Hocus Pocus that month. Jurassic Park was AMAZING...but Hocus Pocus stole my heart and soul and I’ve never laughed so much in a movie theatre until “Cabin in the Woods.” Great childhood memories. 🥰

[@AkanamesMalestrom]

I remember seeing both movies in the Theater. I thought they should have released Nightmare Before Christmas during Thanksgiving. It would have made more sense, seeing how it's technically a Christmas movie. The people who made the decision to release 'Hocus Pocus' in July are indeed *idiots*.

[@2buxaslice]

I live in Salem MA and was a teenager when they filmed this. Everyone in Salem loves this movie. For the 25th anniversary there were a ton of huge Hocus Pocus characters and props in our Halloween parade. You can tell by the fencing in the movie when they are actually in the Salem Common and when they are on a set in California. Kind of hope they don't make a sequel if it won't be the same cast. This movie is great as a standalone.

[@sethleoric2598]

Ha! That's actually funny...Salem Massachusetts...hehe...hanging..

[@frankrabbit2247]

So true.

[@lightningmanmatthew]

Disney+ is going to release Hocus Pocus 2

[@frankrabbit2247]

@@lightningmanmatthew oh god no. They're not going to do it justice.

[@sinnsage]

2buxaslice i took the hocus pocus tour in salem and it was the best. a lot of great historical facts on top of seeing some cool houses and info from the movie :)

[@charlesprichard5235]

I could not imagine anyone else as Winifred except Bette Midler lol

[@maximumrisk2004]

Really, there is no option. She is so go hard or go home with her Performance and you can tell she is having fun. It was just a perfect match.

[@vguyver2]

I spent years showcasing this film to people. Couldn't get them to want to watch the film due to lack of hearing about it. Years later, try to show it to younger generation and they don't want to watch because they've seen it too much. Oh Irony...

[@Whimsy3692]

I've said it before, and i'll say it again: Hocus Pocus is the _perfect_ Halloween movie. There's just something about it that seems like it doesn't come _from_ the spirit of Halloween... The spirit of Halloween comes _from this movie._ Does that makes sense? If I ever have kids, this will be a family favorite, and I'll let them watch it over and over. I'm so glad this started out as a very personal, intimate little fairy tale between father and daughter. You can tell. It just shows. There's so much love and magic in it. As a writer who is writing a friendship story with some very dark tones in it, I can understand more and more how that is the only way people will look at your work. If your heart is in it.

[@brajeshsingh2391]

Its a great movie. And I am shocked it flopped. And you are right. Its a perfect Halloween movie and has everything going for it. A pretty good story themed on Halloween and quite original, very well defined characters, great costumes as well, pretty good acting especially from the little girl who played Dani and the 3 actresses playing the witches who acted with no inhibitions. It has emotions, spookiness good humor, and most importantly it has a heart showing the great relationship between a brother and sister. And the best thing is that this movie does not overplay anything. There is no silly humor and an attempt to inject too much emotion or sentiments. Everything is so natural. Yes it feels a little cheesy and contrived at times, but for its budget which I think was not much and the fact it was made almost 20 years ago, it still holds so well. In fact its almost a classic if not A classic. An 8 from me. Definitely a great movie.

[@sketchycat6223]

The fact that it takes place entirely during Halloween helps. So many quintessential Halloween films start or end on Halloween but Hocus Pocus is an all night Halloween delight

[@EternalChamp]

I agree

[@FansFAX]

Sarah Jessica Parker's peak hotness

[@BaconIover69]

"She played a witch in h p." " which one?" "The one you would f*ck."

[@petitmorte2186]

"tie him up and let me play with him" she was so hot.

[@wstine79]

Riding the broom.

[@dirgramsey6132]

Now she looks like she has athlete’s foot on her face

[@JurassicReptile]

Remember her in the The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs episode of South Park

[@DenerWitt]

female three stooges far better than the new ghostbusters movie Also, that blonde witch... dayum

[@zeroconsistancy]

28 year old sarah jessica parker nice choice

[@DenerWitt]

@@zeroconsistancy I looked her up and without the corset and strong make up she doesnt look THAT good. Still cute tho.

[@mogensschmidt2498]

you did it better than the nostalgia critic

[@sabrinaloizides-merideth9874]

I did, in fact, see this film in theaters with my parents when it originally came out. My mom's a huge Bette Midler fan and we went opening weekend. I've always had a fondness for this film. So much so that I bought the book they released last year that contains both the original story and, I guess, what would have been the sequel. The ideas were interesting, though and the book sold really well.

[@JL0ndon]

Sabrina Loizides-Merideth it seems that the sequel is happening now they just announced it the other day and i think it might be based on that book

[@Sp1n1985]

A sequel!

[@Ghostlyking-tc3vu]

Me too I saw this in theater too with my mom and younger cousin I still love this movie

[@JustNick432]

Hocus Pocus will always be a Halloween classic for my family! So many quotable lines!

[@jamesanthony8438]

Emily: "Thackery Binx, what took thee so long?" Thackery Binx: "I'm sorry, Emily. I had to wait three hundred years for a virgin to light a candle." =)

[@commandercorner5575]

"We want this Halloween movie to do well... lEt'S rElEaSe It In JuLy!¡"

[@waterking74]

Audience: *YOU FOOLS*

[@BrooklynBeTheBoro]

I LOOOOOOVED this movie from the moment it first aired on cable! I don't understand how critics could say that it was a bad movie.

[@toriecarter2711]

When I was younger, I remember being very confused that no one I knew had seen this movie, because friends would look at me weird when I copied Sarah going "amuck amuck amuck" (which I did often & still do~) & had to explain what it was from-.- But I also noticed that the older I got the more people that knew it^.^ I also noticed the availability of Sanderson Sister costumes has grown over the years, and this year Halloween stores have whole sections for their costumes AND a section for Hocus Pocus decor stuff~~~^.^

[@wolfthornnholtzklau4913]

That's awesome

[@fueledbymaple]

Can you imagine someone seeing how much love and enjoyment went into this movie, and thinking people must enjoy it ironically? _This_ movie. A movie that has villains that are a genuine threat while but are also hilarious and memorable. That has characters that feel like real people, flawed but still likable. That has a story about redemption and characters that are a direct parallel of each other (Thackary and Emily's relationship to Max and Dani's) to show the importance of family and wanting to protect those we care about. That can run the gambit of both funny and dramatic. That has amazing practical effects and visuals that just ooze Halloween fun and flair. A movie that has all the makings of a Halloween classic, and someone not only thinks it's bad, but that the many fans must know it's bad and they just like it _ironically._ Good thing no one thinks that, am I right?

[@Rossatron]

So we can thank William Sandell, the production designer of Robocop, Total Recall and Master & Commander for pushing Ortega into it! Sadly Mr Sandell isn't too active on here anymore, but he used to be.

[@Wolf10media]

Hello Rossatron. Big fan here

[@hans7849]

Just here to say: keep up the great work Cecil and never let negative comments demotivate you! Your night of the creeps video was the first I watched back in 2011 and my love for these type of movies was ignited. Since then, my blu ray collection went through the roof and it will continue to grow.

[@athenscityriders8470]

Cecil has haters?

[@hans7849]

@@athenscityriders8470 unfortunate choice of words. I traveled back in time and fixed it ;)

[@francescagonzalezramos9442]

The Nightmare Before Christmas is amazing movie.

[@charlesprichard5235]

I will slap anyone who hates on this channel

[@justindenney-hall5875]

LONG LIVE CECIL TRACHENBURG !!!!!!

[@waterking74]

Man the design description for Winifred screams a leader who demands respect

[@emilyapricot1313]

The witches were likable characters with their personalities and vintage costumes. It is too bad they were evil and had to be stopped.

[@Adv18]

@Cacti Bob same here! I was rooting for the witches too.

[@Liusila]

Maybe they could get revived having “learned their lesson” but the story is that their nefarious legacy is still following them among peers and they have to both redeem themselves and win the other witches’ respect.

[@JoeShopper]

At 16:08 - I was pretty "hypnotized by Sarah's song" too. I don't know what it was, but I watched that scene a few times.

[@korbell1089]

Best part of that review is when you talked about Bette Midler singing Wind Beneath My Wings to calm down Thora Burch. I always knew she was a class act and that just proves it!

[@jodybriggs1075]

She's a Barbara Streisand it's OK to like!

[@Irishgui83]

I love when a movie doesn't smash all records on opening weekend but instead, due to TV screenings etc slowly builds up a fanbase over the years. It makes the film feel more personal to the viewer, like it's ours. Kind of like when a big act plays a small venue, it just feels more intimate. I remember seeing this at the cinema back in the early 90s, but it definitely didn't have that "all my friends were talking about it at school" thing going on that a lot of other movies had, which surprised me. Oh well, it's done pretty well for itself in the end :)

[@Account_Not_Applicable]

I love Hocus Pocus. I remember seeing it once when I was very little, probably about 5, and there were certain scenes that I recalled, but for years following, I couldn't remember the film they were from. Around the age of 9 or 10, my sisters and I rediscovered the movie, and it's been a favorite among us ever since. Each year I keep trying to convince them to do a group cosplay of the Sanderson sisters, but they always argue over who should play who and it hasn't happened yet. The production and history makes me adore it more, and despite Disney setting it up to fail, it shows how strong a film it is that it's beloved by everyone. (Well, except Doug Walker, but his opinion shouldn't be counted since he refuses to believe everyone who loves this film does so unironically. Like just because you think a movie is bad doesn't mean everyone else is just enjoying it as a "so bad it's good" film. Maybe those people think it's good, actually. Maybe the points you take issue with don't matter to them. Maybe you should let go of that ego.)

[@willamsandell1082]

so good…I just watched this again and it’s just done so well! so nice to see this

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thank you so much!!

[@Modern_Robot]

Kathy Najimy is definitely channeling Curly in this.

[@ab5olut3zero95]

And she’s excellent.

[@ajshim]

Just goes to show that low box office numbers doesn't mean the film isn't enjoyable or terrible & vice versa.

[@xxxaragon]

as mentioned in a different reply, also the critical reception doesn't matter... as long as you (not you in specific, but the viewer-you) like the movie. like, some of my favorite movies not only got mostly negative reviews, but don't seem to be liked by many of my friends of family members either. but that doesn't mean that *I* can't love them (and that me loving them is somehow "not justified").

[@elsaanna4711]

Poor Doctor Sleep aka best film of 2019 ;(

[@HickoryDickory86]

It also proves that box office numbers aren't necessarily the last word on a movie's success.

[@HickoryDickory86]

@@xxxaragon I never take the critics seriously. I have a habit of interpreting what they say in the opposite direction if I use them at all to gauge whether or not I should see a movie. If they hate it, I am more likely to go see it (and also to like it). The critics, more often than not, exist in a self-contained and ferociously guarded echo chamber wherein they enjoy getting high on the fumes of their own farts.

[@johnthesavage381]

They should do a sequel and then act shocked when people hate it.

[@francescagonzalezramos9442]

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas in 2023.

[@ultraboombean]

Tbh I would be okay with a remake for this one.

[@andysalter7192]

@@ultraboombean why ? When has a remake of a classic film ever improved the original? What's the point? If you want to watch the movie , watch the movie !

[@controlZchannel]

Never realized that the house was an interior studio.

[@syiloman]

come on, seriously? Look at the background and the fake trees around it. How did you not know it was made at a set inside a studio

[@shainewhite2781]

1:20, Tales From The Dark side: The Movie.

[@justindenney-hall5875]

Shaine White They were just talking about that movie on Cinemassacre's Monster Madness.

[@JediBunny]

Hocus Pocus has such a rare and special charm to it. It has just enough heart and soul with a sprinkle of darkness and depth added in. Absolutely love the characters and actor portrayals, phenomenal music, gorgeous sets and what an endearing story!

[@AkuTenshiiZero]

Really the only problem was the release time. I remember back when I was a kid in the 90's I thought it was a great movie, certainly memorable. I loved the cat and the zombie.

[@kylecurry577]

It seems that “Hocus Pocus” had a parallel history to John Carpenters “ The Thing”. It took a while for people to discover & enjoy. Only in that comparison as we all know... “ The Thing “ is a masterpiece. HP does have an interesting backstory. Thanks.

[@wstine79]

I actually watched this in the theater in 1993. Granted my sister worked at the cinema and got me a free pass, but it was still cool to see.

[@Squidaniel]

I remember begging to see this movie when I was a little kid, my mother reluctantly took me to the theater because she loved Bette Midler, and I got so scared that I cried. Now as a fully functioning adult, I can say I thoroughly enjoy this movie

[@stiflers_mom]

i really wish modern production companies came up w their own stuff instead of trying to do really sht remakes of everything

[@leadingblind1629]

I'm still holding out for a Watcher/Woods episode. Love that movie

[@maria.whiddon]

Yes yes yes

[@sabrinaloizides-merideth9874]

Me too! I'm introducing my kiddo to that one this year!

[@nope5657]

This is one of those newer cult classics I was old enough to be on the ground floor of. Hocus Pocus was just always an annual treat for me as a kid. My sister and would always get hyped when it was airing. "Hocus Pocus is on!!" was a common exclaimation during the Halloween season. I grew up loving it, and still love it today. There's something special about being a part of a fandom so organically. That sounds dorky and smug, but I mean it more in a the way of "wow, I was there in the beginning and look at it now, man!" Hocus Pocus basically cemented what Halloween aesthetic is to me. The film OOZES fall and Halloween spirit. It's like cozy spooky season incarnate. I love the film's warm color pallette. It looks like a storybook. And god do I have such nostalgia for its old school effects techniques. Those matte shots are 🤌🤌🤌 The purple skies also fill me with warm, cozy Halloween vibes. The sets...it's all so tactile and charming.

[@foodank_atr817]

Thora Birch has gone a long way from Hocus Pocus to Walking Dead

[@chanceyporter6178]

Me and my mom watch this movie every year in October ever since I was a kid in 3rd grade its a great halloween film

[@Copperskull1]

I actually loved this one as a kid. I remember being happy that Omri Katz was in it because I was a fan of Eerie, Indiana.

[@maria.whiddon]

That was a good one. The spin off was ok.

[@brandonpage7087]

This is an absolute gem & was an all time favorite, during my childhood! Honestly, this is the first I'm hearing of it having bombed. I've always been under the impression that it did well! I know it sure was popular in my community, & our school used to show it to us all the time.

[@octoberwitch7968]

Hocus Pocus 2, here we come 🤩🧙🏼‍♀️🧙🏼‍♀️🧙🏼‍♀️🔮🌙🐈‍⬛

[@CarryTheThree]

Used to watch this Every year Like i watched a Christmas Story on Xmas

[@askewman37]

I watched this movie for the first time in years earlier this month and I was just expecting some campy fun and I was really shocked at how genuinely good it was. Way better than I expected it to be.

[@ravengammer]

Saw this opening night in theaters when I was a kid at the time I thought this was the best movie ever made...didn't know till I saw this it bombed its a shame it did cause this the definition of a classic

[@charlietheanteater3918]

So this is the modern day equivalent of “it’s a wonderful life” where it bombed initially, and got popular with re runs.

[@ccggenius]

Not quite. IAWL became a part of the zeitgeist because it was so mediocre that networks could get the rights to it for nothing, so people were seeing it ad nauseam, and it just became part of their childhoods since it was on all the time. From what was said here, Hocus Pocus was the result of word of mouth, and presumably a helping hand from video rental stores. Basically, the former was something you watched because it was on, the latter is something people sought out.

[@DeckyStrikesBack]

@@ccggenius Did you....Did you just say Hocus Pocus is better than It's A Wonderful Life? lol

[@ultraboombean]

@@DeckyStrikesBack I enjoy Hocus pocus more tbh.

[@xxxaragon]

unfortunately, due to the change of the media landscape, I don't see this kind of thing happening anymore.... or, at very least, not that often. similar to how there don't seem to be anywhere near as many "sleeper hits" today - if a movie doesn't open at least to a decent degree at the box office, it's usually out of theatres in almost no time. (and while high streaming numbers could be considered the modern equivalent of high dvd sales in the 2000's, the whole entertainment industry is so much more fragmented that it hardly ever happens as well. or when were all those times you heard about shows or movies becoming streaming hits, that weren't really expected to find a bigger audience?)

[@Earlynovemberf32]

@@DeckyStrikesBack Happy birthday to you and calm down to Thora Bircb!

[@lkf8799]

Yay! So happy you did this one. Love hearing all the inside information about the making of, cameos, creative process of the director's, actors, writers, and even the set design, alternate casting, critic vs.fan response, release issues, etc. Also hella funny when you said she had rat teeth and showed a picture of a mole 🤣

[@leonardobuenoantunes9138]

i loved when i was a kid here in Brazil

[@darkservantofheaven]

Every Halloween one of the boss and two co-workers always dressed as a Sanderson sisters it's awesome

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Katz- whether he's Max in Hocus Pocus, Max in a Goofy Movie, Haku in Spirited Away, or Schnookums in Schnookums and Meat- he's an awesome actor and one I enjoyed growing up with!

[@maxshadow...]

OMG...this was the best look back into Hocus Pocus I've seen. Thanks so much.

[@AubreyTheKing]

Good Bad Flicks, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN! Explored one of my FAVORITE movies as a kid! Hocus Pocus holds a VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART! I watched this movie all the time with my uncle on Halloween when I was young, and even till this day, I CAN'T go by one Halloween season without watching Hocus Pocus! I didn't know Hocus Pocus was one of THOSE kinda movies! Where it flopped at the box office! I mean, Seriously!? This movie is so much fun! I find it hard to believe no one liked it! But I'm glad to see people are now starting to realize how fun the film is! This film deserves so much love! I'll admit, I was first excited about a possibility of a sequel or a remake, but after giving them both a second thought, they're both not necessary. Just leave the original alone. The original Hocus Pocus has a POWERFUL magic gold seal on it that can't be replaced! It'll go down in history as one of the best films of all time! The world just doesn't know it yet! Thank you, Good Bad Flicks! :)

[@mindmaster323]

I remember watching this movie in Elementary school. Sometimes they put on movies after classes were over and this is one that caught my eye. It's still one of my favorite Halloween kids movies. It's nice to know that so much of it stayed true to the original idea and that even the idea was just a story a dad told his daughter on the spot.

[@urbanexplorer6994]

This like many others is one of my favorite Halloween movies. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people on instagram girls mostly post about this movie every Halloween. I loved it back in the 90's when I was a kid and thought I was the only one. I taped it on VCR and watched it over and over again. Allison was my first crush.

[@Thespanglerangler]

What a glorious morning. Makes me sick!

[@julius-stark]

I really hope they never remake this, this is still one of my favorite childhood films that hasn't been ruined yet.

[@MandleRoss]

Just don't watch it then? That's the route I'm taking with all the live-action remakes of their animated films. I mean, we know it's not going to be better than the original so why give them our money? I did try to watch the live-action Aladdin on the plane because then they weren't getting my money, and it was kind of okay up until they made Will Smith do some Robin Williams bits and I couldn't hit the stop button fast enough.

[@julius-stark]

@@MandleRoss well I haven't watched a single Disney live action remake movie but it still annoys me that they exist.

[@SunBunz]

Senior Woodz I pretend that they don’t, and Disney will never get one red cent from me to budget their horseshit remakes.

[@julius-stark]

@@SunBunz agreed.

[@hiyazaki09]

yeah dont Remake it Dickney we don't like that you doing now

[@SparkyMarkyMark23]

Hocus Pocus Rules✊🏻!

[@prometheusunbound7628]

I'm not ashamed to say I really, really like this movie. It's just a lot of fun. Sometimes that's all I want from a movie, and this delivers. GoodBadFlicks, this video was very interesting and informative. Thank you. Would you consider examining "Xanadu"?

[@ajixajixx]

Honestly, this is my favorite channel in youtube, keep up the good work!

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks!

[@anitaobrien1575]

The amount of thought that went into this film is unbelievable. It is a masterpiece from start to end. It’s not just my favourite Halloween film, but my favourite film in general!!! 🐈‍⬛

[@shainewhite2781]

8:46, I haven't seen that show in years!!!

[@jeenkzk5919]

This was a bit after my time. I was 16 at the time and thought it was stupid. I DO recall catching a couple of scenes on the Disney Channel. Remember the Disney Channel? When they showed actual Disney classics and their more recent films? If I have an opportunity to pop it in, I’ll give it a chance

[@Life-Row-Toll]

I had a crush on that girl... especially when she wore her colol dress, Loved the [Sarah] song in the third act.

[@GiancarloFloyd]

One of my top ten movies of all time.

[@khrashingphantom9632]

Sir you just made Halloween so much better! This was my Disney Channel movie tradition growing up. Thanks I will add you to that Halloween tradition as well. I love this channel.

[@blvp2145]

I love re-watching your videos they never get old and never they should be remade

[@adamwatson2914]

It was a favourite of mine when I was eight, thoroughly outgrown it now, that rarely happens

[@indiecinemaster4699]

You should do an Exploring episode on Innerspace. Not many people I know have heard of it, and I feel that it is only lightly mentioned by some instead of the full reviews and production history videos.

[@iflarnted]

This is the only thing I've ever liked S.J. Parker in.

[@sirlonnaldii9110]

So you’ve never seen a turd floating in a toilet?

[@alen7480]

The original Footloose also had a good SJ Parker. She was so cute and fun in that one.

[@OcpCommunications]

Another absolutely amazing video on a film that I have always enjoyed ever since I was a kid. I wore out the VHS tape. I watched it that many times. While I personally feel that some aspects don't necessarily hold up that well now it is still a really fun time and a great film to watch on Halloween. And Disney's anniversary blu-ray was one of the biggest surprises of the Halloween season last year.

[@Hewylewis]

Years after this video, we finally ARE getting a sequel! :D

[@albinoshamrock8871]

Hocus Pocus is a film that carries a lot of childhood nostalgia. It's one of the first movies I ever saw, and I watch it religiously every Halloween. I met Kathy Najimy at a Comic-Con, and she's just as sweet and lovely in person as you'd expect. I love this movie, it's fantastic, and no one can tell me different.

[@MARCUSTESS]

Disney got the sequel and destroyed it.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Yep and now they are doing a 3rd that no one wants.

[@princepernell]

I'm still not seeing what was bad about this fucking amazing movie🤔

[@shawnarthur5921]

Not a damn thing! Fun and funny with a definite edge. It's a nearly perfect Halloween movie.

[@synaesthesia2010]

@AlwaysLookCool 729 movies aren't made for critics, that's why they'll never get them

[@xxxaragon]

@AlwaysLookCool 729 to add to (or contradict) that, I think it's a good example of there hardly being an "objective" way to measure the quality of films. so basically neither the critics nor the audience were "right" - because the opinion of those critics that hated it is also still valid.

[@jorgeegrojjorge]

Good movie 😎

[@angelareele858]

Its a duel of tone........comedy should be funny......horror should be unsettling....tough marriage......

[@FallenWolf64]

*I put a spell on you now you're mine!*

[@VALENTINA2026]

I saw this when it came out on VHS and it instantly became my favorite. My favorite version of I put a spell on you as well. I also so badly wanted to be one of the witches as a kid that I dress up and pretend to fly on a broom ..lol

[@Victoria1385]

@12:56 *JASON Marsden. (Also the voice of Max from A Goofy Movie and Haku from the English dub of Spirited Away. You might also recognize him from his live action work in Boy Meets World, Step by Step and a bunch of other stuff) not to be confused with James Marsden...

[@zzFuzzy]

An absolute classic movie. Great video, thanks for covering it.

[@sifwalkerartorias1811]

Hocus Pocus is the best “family friendly” Halloween movie. Don’t even try and say otherwise.

[@jasonpbass]

riiiight. it's not that good. especially when your kids start asking 'what's a virgin?' hocus pocus has only one thing going for it: nostalgia. again, it's not that good for a myriad of reasons.

[@jessicascoullar3737]

Sifwalker Artorias wouldn’t dream of it. Love this movie even with its flaws. Am Australian and we don’t even really do Halloween but still love it. Maybe Jason is right and without the nostalgia it would be awful but since it does have the nostalgia it is great. Jason it is ok to love something just because it brings back good memories.

[@SlamifiedBuddafied]

*Monster House has entered the chat*

[@ArlanKels]

Cat goes squish?

[@rxstarscream]

I love horror movies, but this has always been one of my favorite Halloween movies. Criminally underrated and poorly released.

[@Mirokuofnite]

I remember seeing Free Willy and Hocus Pocus at the drive in as a double feature. I remember thinking Free Willy was bleh, but Hocus Pocus was great. Still feel the same way.

[@gratewight69]

It's a Wonderful Life was also a huge flop at the box office.

[@KarstensCreationsKC]

And now that film is a beloved holiday classic... Does this mean I should still retain hope that one day they will show Howard the Duck every year at Easter, LOL?

[@andrewblanchard2398]

@@KarstensCreationsKC 🐣 🐰

[@CorbCorbin]

Karstens Creations When Jesus comes you’ll have your Duckie Christmas! That movie has Duckie on Lea Thompson sex. Do you quack during the song at the end too?!? 🤪

[@clintmcbride7830]

My sister, cousins, and myself used to watch this movie all the time in the mid-late nineties. So much nostalgia for me here. Thanks, for another great video, mate.

[@HickoryDickory86]

_Hocus Pocus, A Nightmare Before Christmas,_ and _The Halloween Tree_ were my absolute favorite Halloween movies growing up, and they still are. 😊

[@YankeeCountess]

Thanks so much for this! I remember pressuring my parents to take me to see this when it came out to theaters. I also remember listening to Siskel and Ebert trash it on TV. It always amazes me when certain films do so poorly upon initial release, but then later grow in popularity by leaps and bounds thanks to either home video or word of mouth by fans.

[@thEannoyingE]

A lot of shots supposed to be Salem we’re actually filmed in Marblehead, including the cemetery, Old Burial Hill, and the aerial view of the city. The bus stop sign seen in the bike ride through the city, I still there.

[@Cameroo]

Ah I remember this coming out when I was in Highschool. Was a bit weirded out when they dropped it in July and I remember it being a source of discussion among my friends and I. Of course at the time we were all too cool to see Disney movies together so missed out on it.

[@PanzerMold]

The Leprechaun was released in January.

[@hardtfelt]

I love the way Bette says, "Such a pretty little. . . child."

[@rick9977015]

Saw it in the theaters and have always been a fan. Brings a smile to my face every year when it starts be announced. This year,think i have seen it 5 times. Still cracks me up.

[@dresdenwarlock7978]

I was 6 when Hocus Pocus came out and I've been watching it ever since. 32 now with 3 kids who all enjoy it. HOW COULD THEY HAVE RELEASED THAT IN THE SUMMER WTF?!!?

[@tpwombat]

Brilliant movie! Great exploration piece, thanks! One question - why did burning the witches in the incinerator not work, or to be precise, why did it just reverse a short while later? Cannot see any explanation for this. Anyone?

[@mitchelltheawesome1]

DiCaprio's finest work will always be his masterful performance as Josh in Critters 3.

[@fuhq1837]

@ 12:57 Jason Marsden not James

[@xexcalibur86x]

Love your videos man. You do a good job

[@goodolepizzaboi7664]

Thabk you so much for doing this! My mother and I just watched this yesterday and she can quote this full movie. So this will be a splendid addition to our halloween. Also amazing job in "In Search of Darkness" I have seen it twice now!

[@SA80TAGE]

Anyone else have "an awakening" to Sarah Jessica Parker in this film back in the day? 😏

[@renemies78]

It was Vinessa Shaw for me. hahahaha.

[@SA80TAGE]

@@renemies78 yeah don't blame ya for that one too.

[@yesnt8941]

The Holy Mackerel 💀

[@johnsullivan937]

yeah lol must have been like 7 when i saw this. I remember any time a scene would focus on one of the ugly witches I would be thinking "NO! go back to the pretty one!"

[@emilyapricot1313]

I found this by channel flipping as a kid, and started to watch it with my family. I was worried my parents would censor it, but they laughed more than I did and we loved it.

[@187mrsmith]

yeah I don't know how much I would be up for the sequel unless it's all the same characters from the first movie and they try to make it a story about 25 years later when they're all grown up that I might be interested in

[@lorettamowell8764]

19:28 I saw it while it was in theaters, three separate times.