Why is this a cult classic? - Hocus Pocus (1993) Discussion

[–] RevengeOfToonces3 7 years ago

Two words: Bette Midler. Take her out of the movie and it has the shelf life of many forgotten holiday-themed movies of the time. She's incredibly fun to watch in this.

"He makes me laugh, he'a always humping and pointing at Reese Witherspoon." - rebschucks

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[–] ScaryMary123 7 years ago

It's a juvenile film that builds itself around some annoying kids (the little blonde girl is especially irritating), and the ONLY good thing is Bette Midler. Otherwise, it looks like a Disney channel movie.

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[–] The_Stranggler 7 years ago

The jokes are very good for kids and adults. A child dies within ten minutes and even has freaky imagery

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[–] AmeriGirl26 (12319) 6 years ago

I think it has to do with the fact that Disney and ABC air this film every Halloween on tv, so new generations of kids can watch it. There are also fans of the sisters themselves, in addition to real-life witches who like the characters.

However, there are groups of people who do not like this film, mostly for religious reasons. It's disturbing to Christian viewers that this film glorifies characters who are in fact, evil, and use magic given to them by the devil to do horrible things to children. It's even more insulting that the kids who are the heroes do not call on God to help when fighting these witches. Like any lame secular "outwit the devil" kind of story, they rely on their wits and ingenuity instead of God to fight evil.

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[–] R_Kane (15828) 5 years ago

I don’t know any Wiccans who like the characters. When the film was in production, the chief witch of Salem, where it was from filmed, put a spell on it to ensure box-office failure. It worked.

PS Uh, AmeriGirl? Witches don’t derive their power from a pact with a demon. A witch’s power comes from nature and education. It’s also impossible to talk about “a witch” without specifying what KIND of magic s/he practices. There is Celtic witchcraft, Norse witchcraft, African witchcraft, Egyptian (as distinct from African) witchcraft that is VERY powerful, Australian Abo witchcraft, Caribbean witchcraft, Latino witchcraft, Native American witchcraft, Chinese Taoist witchcraft, Indian Tantric witchcraft—but I need not continue. Best not to post about things about which you don’t know.

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[–] AmeriGirl26 (12319) 5 years ago

I was taught growing up, that supernatural power came from only two sources: God, and the devil. From what I've seen of these "sorcerers, voodoo priests, wicca, and whatever else," they're just deluding themselves if they think magic is real, most especially if they're dumb enough to think they can wield it and derive it from the earth. Their so-called "spells" are fake as a three-dollar bill. As far as I can tell, their "magic" has no effect whatsoever.

I would prefer not to know more of that nonsense. The longer you stare into the Abyss, the sooner something looks back at you, if you catch my drift.

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[–] R_Kane (15828) 4 years ago

You may have seen them, but you’ve not known them. Prithee, remain content in your ignorance, Horacio. “There are more things in Heaven and earth . . . . “

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[–] AmeriGirl26 (12319) 4 years ago

Makes for good fantasy writing, huh?

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[–] R_Kane (15828) 4 years ago

Basically, what you were taught while growing up was taught by folks who don’t know the occult.

Or the arcane.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8304) 4 years ago

We are talking about the movie, and it's clear that the witches in the movie do indeed derive their supernatural powers from the devil. After all, they confuse someone dressed up as Satan as the devil himself and refer to him as "master."

Have you seen the film?

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[–] Bigcat (259) 6 years ago

Ive watched at least parts of this movie probably 20 times this month alone Freeform. I just watched tonight again, ha. This film just grabs me in the Fall for some reason. Yeah I cant figure it out. Its just a good Halloween themed movie.

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[–] strntz (10846) 5 years ago

Why is this a cult classic?

Not sure, but I know a Scientologist who loves this film, even though he was threatened with death for watching it. So it's actually a cult classic within a cult...

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[–] sarahb2 (69) 5 years ago

Having just seen the film recently, my guess as to why it's popular are

- The strength of the performances of the three leads, Bette Midler especially. They're all very good. It's very hard to pull off being comic AND scary (but not too scary.) They nailed it.

- It's got a cute talking cat. That's probably about half of it right there.

- The story goes down like soft vanilla ice cream. There's no real peril, no blood, and a happy ending. Nothing cringeworthy, in other words. Although if it was made today, I don't think they'd put bright red lipstick on Dani at the beginning of the movie and I'm pretty sure they would have that scene with the fake cop asking Max if he's really a virgin. That comes across as somewhat pervy these days. (in fact, the emphasis on Max being a virgin came across to me as a bit odd. It's even the last line of the movie!)

- Fortunately, the adults are depicted as responsible adults and not morons. I think that helps, because a lot of kids movies lose their appeal when the kids who watched them grow up and realize that the adults in the movie are idiots. Makes the film a lot less nostalgic!

- It's only an hour and a half long and moves quick. There's not a lot of wasted scenes or slow-moving dialogue.

- There aren't that many Halloween movies for kids, so what there is tends to stand out.

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[–] Wint3rFir3 (6931) 5 years ago

Cult classics and long-time favourite films all share similarities.

For one, they're always quotable. They're fun, but they embrace their genre without over- or under-playing it. They usually have a very distinct visual motif. Plus, they have specific memorable characters that people fall in love/hate with. Being memorable overall is probably the main thing. And the music stays with you, as well.

As well, being a Halloween movie helps because Halloween hasn't ceased to exist, and it plays into people's ongoing ability to interact with the show as consumers. For example, it's a lot easier to buy Halloween products than, say, a t-shirt that says "A Little Bit Dramatic" as worn by Regina George in Mean Girls, or to recognise the Winifred costume than to call out someone wearing a pink shirt and say "oh, you must be Kady from Mean Girls."

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8304) 4 years ago

That's an interesting breakdown there in your first paragraph. I think you're right though. Cult classics are rarely if ever really serious or dark films. They're fun movies that bring joy to people and that are highly re-watchable.

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[–] Wint3rFir3 (6931) 4 years ago

Thanks. The fact that so many are from the 80s pretty much confirms that. So many corny, but funny, experimental films are on the list.

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[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 4 years ago

They are fun playing villians. Its such an original film with great performances. The idea of a witch is both comical and intriguing.

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[–] PaladinNJ (20310) 4 years ago

Today is one of the reasons. It celebrates Halloween as a fun romp with a very decent story.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8304) 4 years ago

It's easily the best family-oriented Halloween film of all time. I can't even think of any real contenders.

Despite being a 37-year-old male, I watch it every year. Best Buy has the Blu-Ray on sale right now for $8.99 so I picked it up and am giving it its first spin.

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