Where Was “Hocus Pocus” Filmed?

“Hocus Pocus” is a 1993 American fantasy comedy movie Kenny Ortega directed that has become a beloved cult classic. The film follows three evil witchy sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) who we originally encounter in 1693 Salem, Massachusetts, and then again three hundred years later in 1993 when a high schooler mistakenly resurrects them on Halloween night. If you are interested in the answer to the question where was “Hocus Pocus” filmed, read on for all the specific location details.

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Where was “Hocus Pocus” filmed?

The film takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, but filmmakers shot most of the action on sound stages in Burbank, California. However, they filmed many of its daytime exterior scenes in Salem and Marblehead, Massachusetts during two weeks of filming with the principal cast. The crew completed production in February 1993.

According to this Boston.com article, “The majority of “Hocus Pocus” happens in the 1990s, but the opening scenes set at the Sanderson Cottage show how the Sanderson sisters captured Emily Binx in the 1600s and turned her brother into a black cat. They filmed those exterior shots in Pioneer Village, a “living history museum” built in 1930 in Forest River Park, Massachusetts.” It was a perfect location to set a 17th-century film since all the buildings date from that time period in an actual village.

Other locations include Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, a period cemetery on a beautiful hill that dates from 1693 with picturesque views of Boston harbor. There’s also the Old Town Hall in Salem, where the town Halloween party takes place in the movie (in reality it is a National Historic Site, a Federal-style building, erected in 1816). Finally, the exterior of Max and Dani’s house in 1993 is a private residence on Ocean Avenue in Salem, Massachusetts. Now that we’ve given you a good idea of where was “Hocus Pocus” filmed, you can visit the area. That way, you can create your own “Hocus Pocus” event or a Halloween-themed film shoot of your own. Read on for more ideas!

Recreate your own “Hocus Pocus” event

This 1667 Historic Home in Salem would make an amazing location for a “Hocus Pocus”-themed event or party or a fantastic location for a film shoot. Located in Salem, Massachusetts, the Peerspace description lets you know that this historic house is the real deal. “This 4000 sq. ft. historic home is one of the oldest homes in Salem, Ma circa 1667 and is the oldest bed and breakfast in the USA. The home features 10 fireplaces, 14 rooms, 7 bedrooms, and one of the oldest and most well-preserved kitchens from c.1667. Filled with antiques, the house has an extraordinary history and has stood in its original form, untouched or modified for over 350 years. We are still operating as a bed and breakfast and also as an attraction/museum in Salem, running tours daily.”

You really can’t get more authentic than this! In fact, if you were interested in staying in a bed and breakfast where was “Hocus Pocus” filmed, this is ideal!

If you’re want to film exterior shots that feature Boston harbor, consider this Little Harbor Multi-purpose Indoor/Outdoor Park/Beach Production Space in the Marblehead historic district described as an “Indoor and Outdoor Group Multipurpose meeting space. Two indoor connected yet separate spaces. Double doors with a ramp lead directly to a lawn and meeting space. 100-yard direct access to a public beach. Low tide access to Gerry’s Island”. Being that this outdoor venue is located in the historic district, it could easily serve as a period filming location.

Visit Salem and Marblehead, Massachusetts

Whether you are visiting for fun or planning to shoot a film, Peerspace has access to historic venues. Hourly rentals are available in Salem and Marblehead, Massachusetts that will work for you. Consider the garden of this historic home in Beverly, Massachusetts described as Exquisite Grounds Overlooking a Pond.

The Peerspace description continues, “Grounds could be used for productions and photo shoots. Do not want to use grounds to host parties or social events. Grounds ideal with the house as a backdrop for filming and photography at all times of the year. The large patio overlooking the pond is also a gorgeous setting. Both the front side and backside of the house offer beautiful backdrops”. So while the interior of the house isn’t available, perhaps all you need for your film are beautiful garden vistas. If that’s the case, then let Peerspace hook you up.

Peerspace has access to all the best venues

The setting for “Hocus Pocus” is a very specific kind of historical, colonial, New England environment. We are fortunate that Salem and Marblehead have preserved quite a few of these buildings. Now that we have answered your question where was “Hocus Pocus” filmed, keep in mind that many of these venues are available for rental by the hour.

Peerspace makes it possible – even fun! – -for you to rent the venues for corporate events, a personal party, or as a filming location. And it is fun to note that a “Hocus Pocus” sequel is in production for a 2022 release as a Disney+ film with Midler, Parker, and Najimy reprising their witchy sister roles, so keep an eye out for it!

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