11 Bewitching Fun Facts About Hocus Pocus That'll Cast a Spell on You

1. Aerial Fashionista Witches

Who said witches can't be aerial fashionistas? Our bewitching trio, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, spawned a wickedly alluring airborne runway in Hocus Pocus: Choreographer Peggy Holmes crafted unique flying styles for each actress, with Midler's Winifred leading aggressively, Parker's Sarah gleefully soaring, and Najimy's Mary providing cautious stability. The stars did their own wirework, and dancers occasionally stepped in for some gravity-defying enchantment.
Source => d23.com

2. Pioneer Village Magic

Before the Sanderson Sisters could say "Abracadabra" and put a spell on us all, they first had to find their bewitching backdrop: Pioneer Village in Salem, MA, set the scene for Hocus Pocus' hair-raising misadventures. This magical living history museum, created for the 300th anniversary of the New England state, witnessed Thackery and Emily's woodland wanderings before their fateful encounter with our wickedly delightful trio.
Source => collider.com

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3. Cloris vs. Bette

In a twist that could have left us bewitched, bothered, and bewildered: Cloris Leachman was the first choice for the role of Winifred Sanderson, but the Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, swooped in on her broomstick and won the part after expressing her enchantment with the script.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Disney's Spelltacular Music

If hocus pocus were a musical, Bette Midler would still steal the stage on a magical broom: During Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom, a pop rendition of her iconic "I Put a Spell on You" wows the crowd at the HalloWishes fireworks show exit, and the Sanderson Sisters, under pressure to avoid turning up the heat, change "there's hell to pay" to "there's heck to pay" during the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, making it a memorable experience for every fan who visits Disney's Magic Kingdom during the Halloween season.
Source => disney.fandom.com

5. Binx's Furry Ensemble

Cat-astrophic stardom: It turns out Binx, the mystical feline of “Hocus Pocus” fame, wasn't played by just one cat but instead a purr-fectly talented ensemble cast of furry actors, each a whisker above the rest in their specific skills; from jumping on shoulders to closing a spell book - the paw-ssibilities were endless!
Source => looper.com

6. Unexpected Auditions

In a twist as unexpected as a virgin lighting the Black Flame Candle: Kathy Najimy snagged the role of Mary Sanderson only after Leonardo DiCaprio and Rosie O'Donnell turned down the parts of Max Dennison and Mary Sanderson respectively, while Jennifer Lopez auditioned for Sarah Sanderson, a part later awarded to Sarah Jessica Parker.
Source => lifesavvy.com

7. Midler's Magical Influence

Who needs a broomstick when you've got Bette Midler pulling the strings? When our beloved Queen of Halloween swooped in and showed interest in “Hocus Pocus,” the original cauldron content was bewitchingly altered to suit her: The film transformed from a spine-chilling tale about 12-year-olds into the laugh-inducing teenage adventure that has since brewed up a colossal Halloween cult following, sprouting spin-offs, a theme park delight, and even wooed the magic of Disney+ into releasing a sequel in 2022 with another one in the works.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Anticipating Hocus Pocus 2

The Sanderson sisters couldn't be kept six-feet under forever: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy were itching to hop back on their broomsticks long before Hocus Pocus 2 was officially announced in 2019, with the enchanting concoction set to be a Disney+ exclusive film penned by Jen D'Angelo.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Parker's High-Flying Reading

Who needs an in-flight magazine when you've got the New York Times? Sarah Jessica Parker found her preferred method of airborne entertainment while suspended on a broomstick during Hocus Pocus: Turns out, our beloved witch spent her breaks up in the harness, casually reading the newspaper. However, contrary to magical misconceptions, the actresses didn't require the harness to create the illusion of flying – it was merely employed for safety's sake during those bewitchingly tricky stunts.
Source => hollywood.com

10. Polydactyl Cats & Witchcraft

You'd think Halloween witches only adopted black cats, but not all dig the monochrome look – some witches fancy furry-toed kitties with an extra "fancy": In New England, polydactyl cats, aka cats with extra toes, have been linked to magical folklore, and even Ernest Hemingway took a liking to a six-toed feline named Snow White. Contrary to popular belief, black cats were never actually confirmed as witchy familiars during the Salem Witch Trials, but their perceived mystical powers led to both fear and enthrallment in Puritan society.
Source => cunning-folk.com

11. Kathy Najimy: Activist Witch

When she's not busy stirring up spells or flying around on her broomstick with the Sanderson sisters, Kathy Najimy can be found casting a charm or two on the world of activism – and for all the right reasons: Najimy, who plays Mary Sanderson in "Hocus Pocus 2," is also a dedicated advocate for women's rights and LGBTQ+ issues, having co-hosted the 2017 Women's March on Washington and actively participating in various organizations that support the community.
Source => deseret.com