Common Sense Media Review
Rollicking Halloween fun has scares, gross-out moments.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
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Hocus Pocus
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 47 parent reviews
Parents say the film may be a Halloween favorite, but many believe it contains too many sexual innuendos and references to virginity, making it inappropriate for younger audiences, particularly under 10. Despite the comedic plot and entertaining witches, the frequent mentions of sensitive topics and suggestive content require parental guidance and may prompt difficult conversations for families.
- inappropriate content
- age concerns
- sexual innuendos
- classic fun
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Based on 72 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a beloved Halloween classic that mixes fun, light-hearted comedy with spooky elements, making it suitable for family viewing, especially for older children and tweens. However, many reviews note an abundance of sexual innuendos and mentions of the term "virgin," which some parents find inappropriate, suggesting that it may not be suitable for very young audiences.
- family classic
- spooky and fun
- sexual innuendos
- age suitability
- Halloween favorite
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
HOCUS POCUS starts hundreds of years ago in Salem, Massachusetts, when three witches murder a little girl and curse her older brother, 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 herself and her sisters Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) back to life on a future Halloween night. When present-day high schooler Max (Omri Katz) lights a bewitched candle, he unwittingly performs the exact act that will make the sisters return. With the help of cat Thackery (Sean Murray), Max, his friend Allison (Vinessa Shaw), and his younger sister Dani (Thora Birch) do their best to outwit, outrun, and outlast the witches.
Is It Any Good?
This perennial Halloween favorite is full of silly moments. Some of the best scenes in Hocus Pocus involve the Sanderson Sisters -- Winnie, Mary, and Sarah -- 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 definitely plot holes, and a lot of the film is predictable, but it's good Halloween fun nonetheless.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about scary stories. Did Hocus Pocus scare you? Do you think it was meant to be frightening, or fun? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
Share your own memories of Halloween. What's your all-time favorite costume? How do you want to dress up this year?
How do the characters demonstrate teamwork? Why is that an important character strength?
How could you learn more about the facts of the Salem witch trials?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 16, 1993
- On DVD or streaming : June 4, 2002
- Cast : Bette Midler , Sarah Jessica Parker , Thora Birch
- Director : Kenny Ortega
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some scary sequences, and for language
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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