Vinessa Shaw Recalls the 'Hocus Pocus' Snub That Left the Cast in Tears

 

While Hocus Pocus is now widely regarded as an essential Halloween cult classic, the 1993 film did not initially experience the massive success it enjoys today. In fact, according to star Vinessa Shaw, the cast felt "ridiculed" upon the movie's release, leading to a heartbreaking moment between her and costar Thora Birch.

Shaw, who played Allison alongside Omri Katz's Max and Birch's Dani, recently reflected on the film's difficult debut during an appearance on the Taboo’s Comics & Kicks podcast.

A Summer Box Office Struggle

Directed by Kenny Ortega and starring the iconic trio of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters, Hocus Pocus was oddly released in July 1993. The timing proved detrimental. Instead of capitalizing on the spooky season, the Halloween-themed movie was pushed as a summer release.

Shaw noted that the film was completely eclipsed by box office juggernauts of the era. "It was up against Jurassic Park. So there’s just no way," she explained, acknowledging that younger generations are often shocked to learn the beloved film initially bombed. It grossed roughly $40 million against a $28 million production budget.

The Premiere Snub

The poor box office projections directly impacted the cast's experience. Shaw revealed that the opening weekend was incredibly disappointing because the studio did not even host a proper red carpet premiere for the film.

Instead, the cast attended a small screening. The lack of fanfare took an emotional toll on the young stars. Shaw shared that she and Birch later confessed to each other that they "cried their eyes out" that weekend over the underwhelming release and the subsequent ridicule.

Finding Cult Status

Despite the initial disappointment, Hocus Pocus found its devoted audience over time. Shaw credits the film's resurgence to repeated Disney Channel airings and VHS rentals, noting that fans were "renting it a million times ‘til it broke." This steady home-viewing momentum effectively transformed the movie into a seasonal staple over the next decade.

Today, the franchise is stronger than ever. Following a highly successful 2022 sequel, Disney announced in 2023 that Hocus Pocus 3 is in development. Bette Midler even teased in late 2025 that she had received a script for the third installment, which she deemed "brilliant."