Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the truth: Hocus Pocus is a beloved millennial parent tradition that kids today find... fine? Maybe? It's got genuine heart, some fun performances, and decent messages about courage and family. But let's be real—it's 30+ years old, and it shows. The effects are clunky, the pacing drags, and kids raised on Encanto and Marvel aren't exactly blown away by three witches bumbling around 1990s Salem.

The scares are real enough to make it feel like a "big kid" movie (soul-sucking, a zombie, peril throughout), but not so intense that most 8-year-olds can't handle it. The problem? Many modern kids just won't care. They'll tolerate it because it's Halloween and you really want them to love it, but they're not going to be quoting it at school.

It works best as a family tradition where the nostalgia is part of the experience—making popcorn, dimming the lights, leaning into the cozy October vibes. Just don't expect it to compete with their usual screen time. This is a "because it's tradition" watch, not a "wow this is amazing" watch.

Age Fit

Best for kids 8-12 who can handle mild scares and dated 90s vibes. Younger kids may be frightened by the soul-stealing; older kids may find it cheesy and slow compared to modern entertainment.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

Halloween comedy with positive sibling relationships and themes of courage, but includes some mild peril, the witches stealing children's life force (deaths are implied), and occasional crude humor. The protagonists work together cooperatively to save their town. Emotional tone is generally lighthearted despite spooky premise, though some tense moments and the witches' villainous behavior (including hanging references) may be intense for sensitive viewers.

Imaginative

75

Creative premise of 17th-century witches awakening in 1990s Salem offers fun fish-out-of-water scenarios and Halloween atmosphere. The magical elements (spell book, flying, potions) spark imagination, and the blend of historical witch lore with modern comedy is inventive. However, it's more about consuming the story than creating or exploring—kids watch rather than participate. The world-building is colorful and memorable.

Safe

62

PG-rated Halloween movie with some genuinely scary moments that may surprise younger viewers: witches sucking souls from children (shown on screen), a boy turned into an immortal cat as punishment, zombie rising from grave, and references to the witches being hanged. Some mild innuendo and a virgin-lighting-the-candle joke that goes over kids' heads. The peril is real—children are in danger throughout—but violence is mostly slapstick. No gore or graphic content, but the life-draining scenes and overall spooky atmosphere mean this isn't a gentle watch.

Enriching

58

Primarily entertainment-focused with limited deeper takeaways. Themes of sibling loyalty, courage, and good triumphing over evil are present but not deeply explored. Some light historical context about Salem witch trials, though heavily fictionalized. The movie delivers fun Halloween vibes and family bonding opportunities but doesn't offer much cognitive challenge or meaningful character growth. It's a seasonal tradition more than a teaching moment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

A Halloween tradition that creates family bonding and seasonal rituals—even if it's more for the parents' nostalgia
Positive sibling dynamics and themes of bravery when protecting others from danger
Bette Midler's over-the-top performance is genuinely entertaining and the musical number is iconic
Introduces (very loosely) the concept of Salem witch trials and historical folklore
The humor and scares are balanced enough that it works as a 'first scary movie' for some kids

⚠

What to Watch For

The witches literally drain children's souls to stay young—it's shown on screen and a kid dies in the opening scene (brought back, but still)
Some genuinely creepy moments: zombie with his mouth sewn shut, a talking cat who used to be a boy, hanging references
The 1993 aesthetic is ROUGH—fashion, effects, and humor all feel extremely dated to modern kids
A running joke about a virgin lighting a candle that'll sail over kids' heads but might prompt awkward questions
May be too scary for sensitive kids under 8, too boring for kids who expect Marvel-level effects

Conversation Starters

"What would you do if you accidentally brought back three witches? Who would you ask for help?"
"The movie takes place in Salem where real witch trials happened—want to learn what actually happened in history?"
"Max had to protect his little sister even when he was scared. When have you been brave for someone else?"
"If you could have one magical power from the movie, which would you pick and why?"
"Do you think Thackery was happy being a cat for 300 years, or was it too sad?"

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