The Not-So-Spooktacular Side of 'Hocus Pocus': Exploring Disney's Greatest Halloween Movie

Content must be written in English.

Debating Hocus Pocus's status as a classic is like committing a cardinal sin on the internet. For 30 years, Disney's cult phenomenon has captivated audiences with its sharp humor and endearing sincerity. If you dare to argue against the beloved characters of Binx, Billy, the Sanderson sisters, and the iconic Salem house, you may find that you have lost your heart. However, despite its enchanting charm, Hocus Pocus can be compared to cinematic candy: enjoyable but lacking substance. This distinction, though, does not diminish the value of the story. Nonetheless, Hocus Pocus's enduring popularity often overshadows another enduring Disney Halloween venture, which may not have gained the same mainstream recognition but offers kids a fulfilling experience. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Halloweentown is a Disney Channel Original Movie that embraces the oddballs and celebrates them wholeheartedly. If you were ever the outcast growing up, the one who was ostracized and bullied because you didn't conform to societal norms and instead immersed yourself in "nerdy" pursuits (if you are old enough to remember when nerdy things were not as popular, you may be over 35!), then Halloweentown was a precious gift to you. This sentiment is particularly true if you belonged to a lesser-known subgroup: the young girls whose greatest passions were horror movies and Halloween. I fit into all those categories. It is here that I must confess my bias towards Halloweentown over Hocus Pocus or The Nightmare Before Christmas, but that bias is precisely the point. Without Halloweentown, there would be no "me." Halloweentown and I are intertwined because Halloweentown's protagonist and I were one and the same.

What Is 'Halloweentown' About?

Image via The Walt Disney Company

Halloweentown poses a straightforward question: how do monsters — witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, goblins, and more — spend their time when Halloween is not around? The film also explores themes of heritage, self-discovery, and individuality through a family-oriented perspective enhanced with autumnal colors. Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown) is deeply fascinated by all things supernatural, which her family and friends fail to comprehend. Standing in direct opposition to Marnie's boundless curiosity is her mother, Gwen (Judith Hoag), a widow who has shielded Marnie and her two siblings — Dylan (Joey Zimmerman), the middle child, and Sophie (Emily Roeske), the youngest — from anything magical throughout their lives. Gwen prohibits them from participating in Halloween decorations, costume parties, or trick-or-treating, much to Marnie's anguished teenage plea: "Mooooom, let me do what I want!" During the annual visit from her beloved grandmother, Aggie Cromwell (Debbie Reynolds), Marnie makes a stunning discovery. She realizes that she comes from an ancient lineage of formidable witches. As Marnie's 13th birthday aligns with Halloween, she must unlock her powers before midnight, or they will be lost forever. Determined to commence her magical training in time, the kids venture into Halloweentown alongside Aggie, an alternate dimension inhabited by supernatural beings. However, they soon discover that this mystical realm is facing a perilous threat, adding to the already tumultuous challenges of adolescent growth.

Marnie, the protagonist of the archetypal Disney Channel Original Movie, embodies both strength and uncertainty. She is rebellious and on the brink of adolescence, with a deep passion for nerdy interests such as 1940s Universal Monster movies and mystical symbols. With a self-assured smirk, she declares that Halloween is not only cool but also exciting, strange, and ancient. However, despite her longing for independence, she doesn't see herself as special. In 1998, when the theme of adolescent insecurity was almost exhausted by Disney, Marnie's relatability came from her unique love for horror in Halloweentown. Similarly, I found Marnie relatable because, like her, I didn't follow the mainstream path. I was misunderstood and my childhood love for horror surpassed that of any other. From a young age, I immersed myself in Universal Monsters trivia and collected stamps from 1997. Planning my Halloween costume was the highlight of my year, along with indulging in Turner Classic Movies and network TV horror schedules. Bravo's The 100 Scariest Movie Moments became my go-to guide. Anything strange and frightening left me feeling exhilarated. While fictional female characters had always been a source of inspiration, Marnie was the first time I truly felt seen by the media. She reflected a nerdy girl who openly expressed her love for unpopular things and faced mockery for it. Due to my unconventional interests and introverted nature, I struggled to make lasting friendships until my twenties.

But I had Marnie. She taught me that "being normal is vastly overrated." She demonstrated how to derive strength and happiness from embracing my true self without any shame. The central theme of Halloweentown revolves around the tension between denying one's uniqueness and the empowering autonomy that comes from fully accepting one's identity. Although the writers of Halloweentown did not specifically aim for their message to serve as a metaphor for marginalized communities, it indeed does. Initially, I cherished Halloweentown for its surface-level comforts, but eventually, I realized the profound role it played in helping me find inner peace subconsciously. This is an invaluable lesson for children.

‘Halloweentown’ Is a World Full of Kind Monsters

Image via The Walt Disney Company

Halloweentown stands out as a whole, surpassing any nostalgic bias. As the fourth Disney Channel Original Movie, it managed to master the formula before it became a mainstream phenomenon. These were the days of high-quality kids' entertainment that didn't depend on established IP, and this effort truly shines. Directed by Duwayne Dunham, known for Twin Peaks and Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, the film exudes an idyllic seasonal atmosphere with its giant glowing pumpkins, smoke-filled cauldrons, and a wonderfully eccentric cast. Halloweentown, the setting, can be likened to Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, but with a Halloween twist. Here, a werewolf runs a salon, sad ghosts find solace in sweatboxes, and the lone taxi driver, Benny (Rino Romano), is a clever skeleton with a knack for humor. The town boasts a movie theater, a bowling alley, and a broomstick dealership that operates with sleazy car dealer tactics. Even the microwaves sport buttons labeled "bubble," "toil," and "trouble." The charm factor is off the charts.

The atmosphere and production value can only take a film so far. However, Halloweentown's script, written by Paul Bernbaum, Jon Cooksey, and Ali Matheson, manages to be accessible to children without being condescending. The themes presented in the film are easily digestible for kids, such as Marnie's desire to be her own person and the acceptance and celebration of differences. The film also showcases that even the "ugliest" monsters can have the kindest hearts. The main villain, Mayor Kalabar, cleverly hides his power-hungry ambitions. In order to defeat him, every member of the Piper-Cromwell family, including the rational Dylan, must embrace their powers. Additionally, the film reinforces positive messages about witches and women being cool and powerful. Halloweentown rejects conformity in favor of self-acceptance, making it a magical story in its own right.

While not every teenage joke in the dialogue lands, the awkward humor suits the dynamic between bickering siblings who are not as mature as they believe themselves to be. The cast has undeniable chemistry, with Kimberly J. Brown standing out as a natural in front of the camera. And then there's the incomparable Debbie Reynolds. It comes as no surprise that this iconic actress delivers a flawless performance. To say that an actor of her timeless caliber elevates a film that has already received praise is not shocking. Reynolds brings Aggie to life with a combination of generous warmth, guiding benevolence, and a slightly spicy, cross-generational sass perfected by both Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher. Aggie's eyes always twinkle with mischievousness that is harmless fun, unless her loved ones are threatened. When Reynolds joyfully descends from the sky in her crimson cloak with a sentient duffle bag in tow, Halloweentown proves its worth. Kimberly J. Brown fondly remembers Reynolds' kindness even after her passing in 2016, stating, "I actually have a note from her that she gave me when we wrapped the third movie that I’ve had framed all of these years. I keep it in my office so I can look at it every day and just kind of be reminded of her spirit and her highly infectious, joyous energy. [...] She’s just very giving and wanted everybody to shine as brightly as they could."

‘Halloweentown’ Gives Outcasts a Home

Image via The Walt Disney Company

Disney produced three sequels to Halloweentown between 2001 and 2006. The final installment, Return to Halloweentown, had a premiere that attracted over 7 million viewers, surpassing networks like ESPN. The real-life filming location in St. Helens, Oregon hosts an annual "Spirit of Halloweentown" festival, featuring a complete recreation of the town square. Kimberly J. Brown, the actress who portrayed Marnie, has expressed the positive impact the film had on young audiences. In a 2015 interview with MTV, she shared her joy in hearing how much the character meant to people. Marnie's journey of self-discovery and embracing her magical abilities resonated with viewers.

Unlike the cult following gained by Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown may not have inspired a Disney+ sequel after three decades. However, it did provide a sense of appreciation, uniqueness, and safety for outcast girls like myself. Many children, even if it came through a lively Disney Channel Original Movie with a taxi-driving skeleton, needed that reassurance. In 1987, horror enthusiasts had The Monster Squad to validate their interests, while the rest of us found solace in Halloweentown.

The Big Picture

Halloweentown, the Disney Channel Original Movie, surpasses Hocus Pocus as the ideal Halloween film for children, owing to its heartwarming dedication to individuals who are considered "peculiar" or "geeky," particularly young girls with a penchant for horror.

In a family-friendly manner, the film delves into the exploration of self-discovery and non-conformity. Halloweentown exhibits an exceptional allure through its eerie ambiance, ingenious plotlines, and its ability to convey a significant life lesson that children can readily comprehend.

All four Halloweentown movies are available to stream on Disney+.