 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hocus Pocus
- Review Date: September 26, 2006
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1993
Common Sense Media says
Rollicking Halloween fun for tweens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie involves a plot to suck the life force out of children (and one little girl dies that way). A couple of high school bullies harass a male classmate in a graveyard, asking him for "smokes" and "hash" and finally stealing his shoes. There are mild sexual references, such as a high school boy hugging his pillow and murmuring, "Oh, Allison, you're so soft," as well as some frisky flirting from one of the witches. The main character is teased about being a virgin. The body of an "unfaithful lover" rises from the grave. Main features of the story are a book bound in human skin and a candle made from the fat of a hanged man. A tale is told about the Devil, and there are various gross-out moments. But it's important to note that all of the above is done in the playful, spooky spirit of Halloween.
What's the story?
Three hundred years ago in Salem, Mass., three witches murdered a little girl and cursed her older brother, Thackery, turning him into an immortal cat. The witches, better known as the Sanderson Sisters, are hanged for the crime, but just before their sentence is carried out, Winnie Sanderson (Bette Midler), casts a spell to bring them back to life on a future Halloween night. When present-day high schooler Max lights a bewitched candle, he unwittingly performs the exact act that will bring the sisters back to life. With the help of Thackery, Max and his friends do their best to outwit, outrun, and outlast the witches.
Is it any good?
HOCUS POCUS is full of silly moments. Some of the best scenes involve the Sanderson Sisters -- Winnie, Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) -- walking through Salem on Halloween night, encountering costumed children. They perform "I Put a Spell on You" at a dance and mistake a man dressed as the Devil for the real thing and call him their "master." There are plot holes, and a lot of the film is predictable, but it's good Halloween fun nonetheless.
Families who like this movie might also enjoy The Worst Witch or Escape to Witch Mountain.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about scary stories, and parents can share their memories of Halloween. What's your all-time favorite costume? How do you want to dress up this year?
Depending on kids' age, they may be interested in learning about the Salem witch trials.
If kids are at all spooked by the movie, families can talk about why. What scared you? Do you think it was meant to be scary?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
a great movie
not all that scary a good film 4 kids love a must see
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I would read a book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This movie is a little scary but very fun and appropreit for kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Think Logically
I've been watching this movie since I was seven years old. The movie always made me laugh, and the witches were more silly than evil. If anything, occasional profanity would be the one "iffy" part of it. And the average 7 year old wouldn't understand any of the sexual references.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Movie full of halloween scares
This movie is a good halloween flick that scared me to death when I was a kid. this movie is perfect for a good halloween scare.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
It's not for kids or adults!
VERY sexual in talk. Some of which is talking about nudity and private parts. Loved it growing up but now that I know what it's talking about I was very shocked and had to turn it off! It's not for kids nor for adults either.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A great Halloween classic!
Its a great Halloween oldie, I think maybe kids that are NOT that sensitive, but I personally thought it was a unique and really bewitching movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Good movie with some risque language
I love this movie! My kids watched it when they were little and it was just fine then. However, since this is a Disney moive I'm surprised about the word "virgin" being used constantly in the movie as in "the candle was lit by a virgin". Now I don't like them watching it as much. They could have easily used the word "child" as it is after all a children's movie
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Little kids are scared, but older kids are aware!
Great Movie, good for older children but to scary for small children. Good for a halloween movie marathon. About 3 wicked witches and they are taking children's souls to make them younger. Max, Allison, and Dani try and stop them before the do anything. Awesome for older kids, tweens, and teens.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great movie with good laughs!
I really enjoyed it.It was interesting to see Sarah Jessica Parker in that character. It was a little unrealistic but,it was a Halloween movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Kenny Ortega |
| Cast: | Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thora Birch |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 96 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 16, 1993 |
| DVD release date: | June 4, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | for some scary sequences, and for language. |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
