The Fascinating Story Behind Where 'Hocus Pocus' Was Filmed
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Hocus Pocus fans, have we got a treat for you. On September 30, your favorite Disney Halloween movie is releasing a sequel on Disney+. While we still have a ways to go before seeing it (not to mention meticulously planning our favorite Halloween activities and costumes), we should talk about the 1993 classic Halloween film that started it all.
If you don’t remember what Hocus Pocus is about, let us take you on a brief trip down memory lane. The movie centers on three witches, Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson (portrayed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy), who somehow come back to life on Halloween night three centuries after their semi-gruesome deaths in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts. As soon as they are alive once more, the Sanderson sisters feel it’s time to stay immortal — even if it means they take a life in the process.
Considering all the locations the story takes place and how amazing the cinematography is, it’s easy to think that Max, Dani, Allison and Binx’s world would be filmed on various studio lots in Los Angeles, California. Yes, parts of the movie were shot there. But it turns out, director Kenny Ortega also took a different route by heading to the exact New England location where the story is set. If you’re interested in taking a mini-tour through where Hocus Pocus was filmed 29 years ago, then you’ve come to the right spooky place.
Salem in the 1600s
Real location: Pioneer Village, 310 West Avenue in Salem, MA
At the very beginning of Hocus Pocus, viewers are transported back in time to the era of the Salem witch trials. To portray life in the 17th century, filmmakers chose to shoot in Salem's Pioneer Village. The museum was built in 1930 and is meant to mimic the colonial architecture — thatched roof cottages, wigwams, and more – of the 1600s.
Plan Your Visit to Pioneer Village
Max and Dani Dennison's house
Real location: 4 Ocean Avenue in Salem, MA
The famous house where Allison and Max foolishly opened the Sanderson Sisters' spell book is an actual private residence. According to Zillow, the home was built in 1870 and is estimated to be worth over $520,000 today. While the home remains closed to the public, Boston.com reports that the current owners are actually very nice about tourists stopping to take photos.
Plan Your Visit to Max and Dani's House
Max and Allison's school
Real location: Phillips Elementary School, 56. South Washington Square in Salem, MA
One year before Max, Dani, and Binx captured the Sanderson Sisters inside the red-brick building, Phillips Elementary stopped functioning as a school. The vacancy made it especially convenient for Hocus Pocus filmmakers to dress up the building as a high school for a few shots.
Now, the building is an apartment complex. Even though it's not currently open to the public, you can definitely snap a selfie with it while walking down South Washington Square.
Plan Your Trip to Phillips Elementary School
Allison's house
Real location: Ropes Mansion, 318 Essex Street in Salem, MA
Located in the heart of the McIntyre Historic District, the Ropes Mansion, which is featured as Allison's house, is one of Salem's most iconic buildings. The home is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for housing Nathaniel Ropes, a famous merchant and attorney in the 1700s. Out back, the mansion boasts a gorgeous garden and greenhouse that is also welcome to visitors.
Plan Your Visit to Ropes Mansion
The town Halloween party
Real location: Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square in Salem, MA
The place where Winifred belted out the iconic tune "I Put a Spell on You" is called Old Town Hall. In real life, it's home to the Salem Museum. While the museum is open every day from 12 to 5 p.m. ET, the space will occasionally be used for performances of the interactive play Cry Innocent, which is based on the Salem witch trials.
Plan Your Visit to Old Town Hall
The town cemetery
Real location: Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, MA
Fans may remember how Max initially stumbles upon bullies while walking home through the town cemetery. Turns out, they were filmed in Marblehead, Massachusetts in an area called Old Burial Hill. Established in the mid-17th century, it actually became well known for being the resting place of an estimated 600 soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Makes sense that this is where the Sanderson sisters would want to come back to!
Plan Your Visit to Old Burial Hill
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