In this post, we’re going to go through all the popular Hocus Pocus filming locations in Salem. Most of us millennial kids know Hocus Pocus which premiered on July 16, 1993. (I was only three years old at the time!) This famed classic stars big names like Bette Middler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy.
The film’s story follows the Sanderson Sisters who are executed for sucking the life out of Emily Binx and cursing her older brother Thackery Binx to life as an immortal black cat. Before they die, they cast a spell stating on the night of All Hallow’s Eve they will return again. Three hundred years later, a teenage boy named Max lights the black flame candle and unwittingly brings back Winifred, Sarah, and Mary. Max, along with his sister Dani, love interest Allison, and black cat Thackery Binx embark on a mission to put an end to the Sanderson sisters once and for all.
When I was planning my New England fall foliage road trip, I absolutely knew I wanted to stop in Salem. One of the first questions that came to my mind was, “Where was Hocus Pocus filmed in Salem?” I then set out to find all the Hocus Pocus sites in Salem and now I’m compiling this amazing list for you so you too can find some childhood nostalgia.
Table of Contents
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Hocus Pocus Filming Location Map
The Hocus Pocus setting wouldn’t have been complete unless the actors did film on location in Salem, Massachusetts. Here is a map of all the Hocus Pocus Salem locations.
Hocus Pocus Tour
If you’re wondering, “Where did they film Hocus Pocus?” There are also really cool Salem tours you can do if you’re not the DIY kind of person.
1. Pioneer Village | Salem Village
The opening of the film shows Sarah luring Thackery Binx’s little sister Emily to her doom at the Sanderson Sister house. We can see him sleeping in his home when he finds his sister Emily gone from her bed. Pioneer Village was built in 1930 and is America’s first living history museum. The park is still home to different events and festivals throughout the year. Admission into the park is $5.00.
2. 4 Ocean Avenue | Max & Dani’s House
If you’re looking for Max and Dani’s house Hocus Pocus address, it’s 4 Ocean Avenue. Keep in mind this is a private residence and is not open to the public. We can all recognize the home from it’s beautiful white appearance and lookout from the top. It also has a famous scene where the witches burst through it. If you do visit the house, please keep in mind there are people who live there. Be quiet and respectful. Don’t go on the property and be courteous! But fun fact, the house is worth a whopping half a million dollars.
3. Phillips Elementary School | Max and Allison’s High School
The Phillips Elementary school ended it’s run as a school in 1992, and conveniently became the location of Max and Allison’s school, John Bailey High School. The building is not open to the public, but it can be viewed from the Salem Common.
4. Salem Common
We all remember the scene where Max and Allison leave school. They walk around in the Salem common and this is where she returns his phone number to him. This is one of my favorite filming locations for Hocus Pocus because of the gorgeous backdrop with beautiful colored leaves.
5. The Ropes Mansion | Allison’s House
One of my favorite scenes from the movie is where Max attends a Halloween Party at Allison’s house. There, his younger sister, Dani proceeds to take the piss out of him and embarrass him any way she can. The Ropes Mansion is one of the most prominent 18th century homes in Salem. The Mansion is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum. The gardens in the back are free and open to the public.
6. Old Town Hall | Halloween Party
Another one of my favorite scenes of the movie is when Winifred Sanderson and her sisters sing, “I Put A Spell On You.” Max tries to warn them they’re the real sisters, only for everyone to think it is a Halloween prank. The Old Town Hall is still one of the most popular Hocus Pocus spots in Salem. The building is still open to the public and hosts really cool events during spooky season. This year in 2021, the Old Town Hall in Salem is hosting Miss Havisham’s Parlour. If you read Charles Dickens’ novel, Great Expectations, then this is sure to be a treat for you.
7. Old Burial Hill Cemetery
If you remember at the beginning of the film, Max encounters his not so nice classmates who take his shoes from him. Surprisingly enough, the Hocus Pocus cemetery was not shot in Salem at all. The crew filmed it at the nearby Marblehead at Old Burial Hill, one of the oldest graveyards in New England.
I hope you all have the best time exploring all these Hocus Pocus filming locations in Salem, Massachusetts. It was a surreal experience for me to be able to go to places I saw in my childhood and explore them as an adult. It definitely gave me some 90s nostalgia and I’m so excited for it!
This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!
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