Where was cult classic Hocus Pocus filmed? Since its release in 1993, Hocus Pocus has become a staple Halloween watch and has even spawned an upcoming Disney+ sequel Hocus Pocus 2. While a lot of the film was shot in Burbank, California, much of Hocus Pocus' charm stems from the fact that several scenes were filmed in the town the movie's set in.
As many fans know, Hocus Pocus is set in Salem, MA, the birthplace of the Salem witch trials. Unlike the real-life tragedy that marked twenty-plus people dying after falsely being accused of witchcraft, the fictional Sanderson Sisters are guilty of witchcraft and hanged in 1693. On the 300th anniversary of their death, they are brought back to life by Max Dennison (Omri Katz), who lights the Black Flame Candle responsible for their resurrection. What follows is a spooky romp to rescue Salem and the town's children from the witches' clutches.
Most of Hocus Pocus was filmed in-studio in California, but several exterior scenes and shots were actually filmed in Salem, MA. Additionally, most locations are still accessible to the public. Let's take a look at some of the real-life locations in Salem and California that make Hocus Pocus so magical.
Pioneer Village
The film begins in 1693, when Thackery Binx wakes up and notices his sister Emily is missing. He emerges into a tiny colonial town and heads off into the woods in search of Emily, who has been entranced by Sarah Sanderson's song. This opening scene was filmed in Salem's Pioneer Village, the first living history museum to show what Salem was like in 1630. Pioneer Village is located at 98 West Avenue in Salem, MA, and is open to self-guided tours on weekends.
Phillips Elementary School
Phillips Elementary School is a real former school next to Salem Common. Its exterior serves as Jacob Bailey High School in Hocus Pocus and the place where the Sanderson Sisters are lured and almost killed when Max, Dani, and Allison trap them in a furnace. The interior shots were filmed in a California middle school.
Salem Common
After an awkward exchange in school, Max asks Allison for her number in Salem Common. Though she turns him down, Allison will eventually bring Max and Dani to the Sanderson Sisters' house, where Max inadvertently brings them back to life. Salem Common is located at North Washington Square and is in walking distance from the Salem Witch Museum, Phillips Elementary School, and other touristy haunts. It can be accessed by the public at all times.
Old Burial Hill Cemetery
Max rides through historic Old Burial Hill Cemetery after Allison turns him down and has a run-in with local bullies Jay and Ice. Jay and Ice force Max to give up his sneakers before he can go home. Old Burial Hill is in Marblehead, Massachusetts, about a 15-minute drive outside of Salem, and was created in 1638. Perhaps this cemetery will make an appearance again in Hocus Pocus 2.
Max and Dani's House
After losing his shoes, Max rides back home, which is located at 4 Ocean Avenue in Salem. Later on, Max, Dani, and Allison seek refuge there until Max and Allison open Winifred's spellbook and alert the witches as to their location. Winifred later captures Dani and the witches blast through the house's widow walk.
Ropes Mansion
Ropes Mansion stands in as the exterior of Allison's house, which Max and Dani visit while trick-or-treating early on in the film. It's a historic mansion located on 318 Essex Street and run by the Peabody Essex Museum. It's open for seasonal house and ghost tours.
The Devil's House
On the hunt for children, Winifred, Mary, and Sarah find themselves on a busy street filled with trick-or-treaters. They mistake a house decorated in red flames as the entrance to hell and the owner (Gary Marshall) as the devil himself, whom they fondly, albeit hilariously, refer to as "Master." The sisters are kicked out after they get a little too comfortable and find that their brooms have been stolen, so they're stranded. The exterior of the "devil's" house and street is located on Friends Avenue in residential Whittier, CA.
Old Town Hall
When the Sanderson Sisters are running amok through Salem, Max, Dani, and Allison crash an adults-only party to seek advice from their parents. The exterior shots of this party were filmed at Salem's Old Town Hall, located at 32 Derby Square. Old Town Hall serves as a cultural center now, hosting various shows and transforming for the holidays.
Friends Fountain
After the kids trap and burn the Sanderson Sisters towards the end of Hocus Pocus, they run into a park to celebrate. Though this resembles Salem Common, it is the same park used in the opening credits for Friends. The park and famous fountain are located on the Warner Brothers lot and are open to the public via a studio tour.