Where “Hocus Pocus” was filmed
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While it's a treat to watch all year long, Halloween is the perfect time to revisit Hocus Pocus, the subtly spooky tale of three 1600s Salem witches who respawn in the modern world. If you're like us, you've probably watched this film countless times and dreamt of being part of it. Who wouldn't want to go wild at the town's Halloween party, for example, or maybe just take a good look at Allison's mansion with our own eyes?
If you don't mind a field trip to Salem and the surrounding area, it's possible to do just that. Whether you're coming by plane, car, or broomstick, we've made it easy for you to relive your favorite scenes from the movie by visiting where they were filmed. Now, we recommend setting "I Put a Spell on You" on repeat as you discover all of the iconic locations where Hocus Pocus was filmed.
1600s Salem (Pioneer Village, 310 West Avenue in Salem, Mass.)
Hocus Pocus begins in the distant past — specifically in 1600s Salem, Mass. This is where we first see Thackery Binx (Sean Murray) frantically searching for his sister Emily (Amanda Shepherd). Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for viewers), the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) transform him into a cat before they're hanged by an angry mob, which is only a small taste of the shenanigans afoot in this unconventional tale of magic and mischief.
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If you'd like to step into the past yourself, it's easier to do so than you might imagine. These scenes were filmed at the Pioneer Village in the real Salem, Mass. The village has the special distinction of being the first "living history museum" in the United States. Those who would like to experience history (or perhaps just relive the first time they watched Hocus Pocus) can swing by on the weekends; from June to October, the Pioneer Village is open for visitors on Saturdays and Sundays between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET.
Incidentally, this village is going to look more like the flashback scene in the film than you might think. That's because the museum is a model for what the town looked like back when the settlement started in the 17th century. Don't worry, though; nobody there is out to kill any witches or students of the macabre that come to visit.
Allison's house (Ropes Mansion and Garden, 318 Essex Street in Salem, Mass.)
Every protagonist needs somewhere to lay their head. When it comes to the Hocus Pocus character Allison Watts (Vinessa Shaw), she's not just sleeping anywhere; her home is actually an expansive mansion that left most younger viewers wishing they could step into the teen's luxurious and opulent world.
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Good news: You can now live that dream by visiting the Ropes Mansion in Salem, Mass. The home has historical value, and not just to movie lovers who spent the whole film shipping Allison and Max (Omri Katz). Built in 1727, the estate is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum, which has preserved both the glamor that you see onscreen as well as other treasures (we're partial to the breathtaking garden in the back that blooms over 5,000 flowers every year).
If you'd like to experience the (ahem) magic for yourself, the museum offers house tours on Thursday through Monday, allowing superfans to quite literally follow in the footsteps of Allison or pretend they're Max coming over for her lavish Halloween party.
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While we're thrilled that the mansion is open to the public, we're even more grateful that it still exists. That's because back in August 2009, the third floor and attic were damaged in a fire caused by a painter's heat gun. This could have been deadlier than all the Sanderson sisters combined, but local firefighters helped rescue this piece of local (and cinematic) history.
Max and Allison's high school (Phillips Elementary School, 56. South Washington Square in Salem, Mass.)
The best part about visiting where Hocus Pocus was filmed is getting to step into the world of your favorite characters. Sadly, though, none of us are able to see Max and Allison's high school (a.k.a. "a prison for children" in Winifred's eyes). This, of course, is where the gang burns the Sanderson sisters alive using a pottery kiln. The witches end up coming back to life thanks to their curse, but fans of the film cannot come back to this location due to something much more nefarious than dark magic: capitalism.
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The old school has now been transformed into an apartment complex. Short of renting an apartment there yourself, it's difficult to get a good look at the inside, and nothing would really look like the film anyway. But if you still want to check it out from a slight distance, it's easy to visit Salem Common Park and scope out the dwelling across the street. As an added bonus, this park is where many of the outdoor "school" shots were filmed, allowing you to relive more of your favorite scenes as you gaze upon the building.
Fans can't walk these hallowed halls, but if it makes you feel any better, change is par for the course at this location. When Hocus Pocus was filmed, it wasn't a high school but rather the abandoned Phillips Elementary School. It was easy enough for producers to transform it into the fictional Jacob Bailey High School, and we wouldn't be surprised if (like Binx) this site ends up changing shape once more.
The home of Max and Dani Dennison (4 Ocean Avenue in Salem, Mass.)
When it comes to the actual story of Hocus Pocus, some of the locations are subtly important. For example, the home of Max and Dani Dennison (Thora Birch) has major plot significance because it's where Allison and Max opened the Sanderson sisters' spellbook. They just want to reverse the spell on Binx (voiced in cat form by Jason Marsden), but opening the book actually leads the witches right to the kids' whereabouts.
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We're happy to lead you to that same spot, but you won't be able to step inside. That's because this particular seaside home is actually a private residence. Even if you're willing to buy, the house is not for sale, and you may need some deep pockets: As of writing, Zillow reports the property is worth around $602,000. However, the current owners know how much the house means to Hocus Pocus fans and have been known to let visitors take photos of its exterior.
If you're disappointed about not being able to visit the inside, fear not. The interior shots were reportedly shot on a soundstage in California, meaning you're not missing out. We'd just call that good, old-fashioned movie magic, but we wouldn't be offended if you thought it was just a bunch of hocus pocus.
The Halloween party venue (Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square in Salem, Mass.)
Hocus Pocus is full of great moments, but none of them are as outright fun as the Halloween costume party venue. This beautiful house is where Winifred sang a rendition of "I Put a Spell on You" that we've spent the last few decades recreating in the shower. (It's not just us, right?) The scene is also full of great Easter eggs, including Bette Midler's character being told "thou art divine" by Mary, a clear reference to the Midler's Hollywood nickname (and 1972 LP), "The Divine Miss M."
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Unlike some of the locations on this list, it's easy to visit the venue, though we're sad to say you're not likely to find a party there. The scene was originally filmed in Salem's Town Hall, which is now simply referred to as Old Town Hall. The iconic space hosts a number of events throughout the year, including a farmers market, and it now serves as the home of the Salem Museum, meaning that visitors can get a slice of history to go along with their healthy heaping of cinematic nostalgia.
And trust us, it's going to be a very big slice because the building (circa 1816) is the oldest municipal structure that still exists in Salem. That might sound like something Leslie Knope would geek out over, but we're probably not the only ones who'd love to visit this centuries-old building.
Town cemetery (Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, Mass.)
In Hocus Pocus, the town cemetery did more than set the tone for this spooky film. It also sets the tone for Max's character. After we see him getting bullied on his way home from school, it's almost impossible not to root for him (hey, we love an underdog). And like most graveyards, this is one that you can easily visit… assuming, of course, that you don't find the whole thing a bit too creepy.
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The real cemetery (Old Burial Hill) is one major film location that's not actually in Salem. Instead, it's in the nearby town of Marblehead, and it's a quick 15-minute drive if you want to trace Max's route home. Fortunately, you won't have to contend with any bullies, and you may be surprised by how much there is to see beyond what's shown in the film. With breathtaking views of both the harbor and the sea, you'll definitely be tempted to take some pictures (after you snap a few pics standing exactly where Max did in this scene, of course).
Visiting here is a great way to settle into the seasonal spirit and even get a taste of history. After all, as one of the oldest cemeteries in the U.S., Old Burial Hill is decked out with bone-chilling details like ominous statues and plenty of skeleton iconography. Old and spooky? That basically describes us, so we hope to see you there this Halloween.
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