Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2018

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Halloween special celebrating Hocus Pocus's 25th birthday that even fans found kinda meh—just watch the original instead.

65%

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Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash

movie

PG, 2018

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Halloween special celebrating Hocus Pocus's 25th birthday that even fans found kinda meh—just watch the original instead.

65%

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65%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: this is a TV special celebrating a beloved 1993 Halloween movie, and it's...fine? The problem is that even people who love Hocus Pocus gave this a collective shrug (that 47% audience score is rough).

It's essentially an hour of celebrity guests talking about how much they love the original movie, interspersed with clips you've already seen. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery setting is cool, but the content itself is pretty thin—more Freeform promotional event than substantive documentary.

If your kid is a Hocus Pocus superfan, sure, throw it on during Halloween season. But honestly? Just rewatch the original film. It's more fun, more magical, and your kids will actually stay engaged. This special is the entertainment equivalent of eating the Halloween candy wrappers instead of the actual candy.

Age Fit

Appropriate for ages 9-14 who are already fans of the original Hocus Pocus and curious about behind-the-scenes content. Adults might enjoy it for nostalgia, but honestly, most will find it skippable.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A nostalgic celebration special filmed at Hollywood Forever Cemetery with celebrity guests honoring the beloved original film. The tone is festive and family-friendly, focused on throwbacks and appreciation for the 1993 movie. However, it's essentially a TV special/documentary rather than narrative content, so emotional modeling is limited.

Imaginative

This is a retrospective celebration special, not original creative content. It's about looking backward at an imaginative film rather than creating new imaginative experiences. Offers nostalgia and behind-the-scenes insights but doesn't invite creative expression or exploration on its own.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 11+, likely due to references to the original film's mild spooky content. As a celebration special, it contains no graphic content, violence, or inappropriate material. The Halloween theme is celebratory rather than scary. No significant safety concerns for the target demographic.

Enriching

Provides some film history and appreciation for a cultural touchstone of 90s Halloween cinema. Celebrity interviews and throwbacks offer mild entertainment value for fans. However, it's ultimately a promotional/nostalgia piece with limited educational depth or meaningful takeaways beyond 'remember this fun movie?' The mixed audience reception (47% RT audience score) suggests it doesn't fully deliver even as entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Perfect for die-hard Hocus Pocus superfans who want every scrap of content related to the Sanderson Sisters
Behind-the-scenes tidbits and cast interviews offer some nostalgia for 90s kids who grew up with the film
Safe, family-friendly Halloween content without actual scares
Filmed at Hollywood Forever Cemetery which is genuinely cool as a location

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What to Watch For

This is basically a long promotional TV special, not a movie—expect celebrity interviews and clips, not a story
The 47% audience score tells you what you need to know: even fans were disappointed
Your kids will be bored unless they're already obsessed with the original film
Might prompt demands to watch the actual Hocus Pocus movie, which is the better call anyway

Conversation Starters

"Have you seen the original Hocus Pocus? Should we watch that instead?"
"What's your favorite Halloween movie tradition?"
"Why do you think people love certain movies so much they want to celebrate anniversaries?"

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