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  • Pop! Pour! Review

Hocus Pocus Puts A Spell On The Box Office

Updated: Jan 17

By Matt Chieco

 

While Disney may be losing a lot of money right now due to COVID, they are coming up on top in one surprising way. After premiering in theaters 27 years ago Hocus Pocus was the number two movie this weekend (October 2nd-4th) making $1,925,000. It was only closely beat out by Christopher Nolan’s Tenet making $2,700,000.

The movie starring Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker was released in 2,570 theaters throughout the US. They also beat out more recent titles like New Mutants, Unhinged, and Bill and Ted Face the Music. Since film studios keep pushing back their movies, many are releasing old favorites to bring people back to the theaters, and to make some money in this difficult time. Though there wasn’t much competition for Hocus Pocus (and that it's playing on TV multiple times this month), it is the biggest box office opening weekend total for a rerelease we’ve seen since the pandemic hit.

When released in 1993 to mixed reviews the film only grossed a little over $39 million. Yet now in the time of COVID rereleases have become the new trend. Since March Jaws, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Gremlins, The Goonies, Ghostbusters, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and more have been brought back to theaters. If I know anything about Hollywood it’s that they love trends. If something works for the studios they are going to milk it for everything it's worth. While some are successful, many people get tired of the same thing and want something new at some point. So how long will this continue?

A sequel to Hocus Pocus is currently in the works for Disney Plus, Adam Shankman was tapped to direct, but it’s unknown if any of the original cast members will return. If this was any indication I’m sure Disney will make sure that the Sanderson sister will be flying together once again.


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