HOCUS POCUS
Funny, memorable, and saturated with occult content.
Should You Watch It?
HOCUS POCUS has enough humor, memorable songs, and redemptive moments to explain its four-star entertainment rating. But the film’s central device is an occult ritual: a teenager follows the instructions of a spell book said to be given by the Devil himself and bound in human skin.
The concern is not incidental. The movie presents witches, witchcraft, casting spells, zombies, and a magic cauldron in a way the source review finds too strong and too positive. It also includes a frightening suggestion of child sacrifice and moral relativism.
So the answer is clear for your family: SKIP IT and choose a different Halloween movie.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESOn Halloween Eve in Salem, Massachusetts, three curious children enter the abandoned home of the infamous Sorenson sisters, who were supposedly hanged for witchcraft and sorcery three hundred years earlier.
Max Dennison, a California teenager new to Salem, scoffs at the local legends—until he discovers a spell book bound in human skin and becomes intrigued by the story of the witches. The old house, its grim relics, and the children’s curiosity set the supernatural comedy in motion.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means the film has strong entertainment value. HOCUS POCUS is a Disney comedy with humorous and redemptive moments, memorable songs, and an unusual mix of witches, zombies, a talking cat, and a magic cauldron.
But the source review says the movie goes downhill after the occult ritual that conjures the witches. Its humor and memorable elements cannot overcome the strong occult content that fills the story.
The Worldview
HOCUS POCUS treats witchcraft, spells, occult rituals, and “white magic” as part of its comic supernatural world. The film includes three dead witches, zombies, a talking cat, and a magic cauldron. The source review finds that this strong occult content is promoted in a positive light, while the story also contains some moral relativism.
That conflicts directly with the biblical view. Scripture does not present witchcraft, casting spells, consulting the dead, or interpreting omens as harmless entertainment. Deuteronomy 18:10–12 says, “For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD.” The frightening suggestion of child sacrifice further deepens the film’s spiritual and moral concerns.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong occult worldview about three dead witches with occult rituals, witchcraft, zombies, a talking cat, spells, and a magic cauldron, plus the use of "white magic" is shown in a positive light; several mild obscenities; a frightening suggestion of child sacrifice, but not graphically violent; no sex; non nudity; no alcohol use; no smoking or drugs; and, some moral relativism.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Why does Scripture warn against witchcraft, casting spells, and consulting the dead?
Deuteronomy 18:10–12What makes an idea seem harmless when it is presented through humor, songs, or fantasy?
Philippians 4:8 · 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22How should Christians respond when a story presents “white magic” as good?
Isaiah 5:20 · Ephesians 5:11Why does the suggestion of child sacrifice reveal something serious about a story’s moral world?
Leviticus 18:21 · Psalm 106:37–38The Final Word
HOCUS POCUS is entertaining, funny, and memorable—but its strong, positive presentation of witchcraft and occult rituals makes it unsuitable for your family. Our answer is SKIP IT. For better options, see.
