Vinessa Shaw Says Cast of “Hocus Pocus ”Was ‘Ridiculed’ Over the Film, Shares the Snub That Left Her and Thora Birch in Tears

**Hocus Pocus Cast Reflects on Film’s Initial Struggles Before Cult Classic Status**

The 1993 film Hocus Pocus, now celebrated as a beloved cult classic, did not initially capture the hearts of audiences upon its release. Vinessa Shaw, who played the character Allison, has recently opened up about the challenging debut of the film, which faced stiff competition from the blockbuster Jurassic Park.

Hocus Pocus was directed by Kenny Ortega and featured a star-studded cast, including Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, alongside Shaw and Thora Birch, who portrayed Dani Dennison. The film, which was introduced to audiences in July of 1993, managed to gross approximately £40 million against a production budget of £28 million, but this financial performance was not enough to inspire confidence within the cast at the time.

In a recent interview on Taboo’s Comics & Kicks, Shaw noted, “Well, it bombed, you know, when it first came out.” Reflecting on the immediate aftermath of the film’s release, she shared that both she and Birch were deeply affected by the lukewarm response, recalling how they “cried their eyes out” after a small screening rather than a grand premiere.

The film’s initial reception was largely overshadowed by the massive success of Jurassic Park, which dominated the box office. Shaw elaborated on this challenging context, explaining, “And it’s funny because younger millennials have no idea. They’re like, ‘It bombed.’ And yeah, it was up against Jurassic Park. So there’s just no way.” She pointed out that the decision to debut Hocus Pocus during summer, rather than closer to Halloween, contributed to its poor performance, remarking, “It should have been [out] on Halloween.”

Despite the film’s lukewarm box office performance, it gradually garnered a devoted following over the years, largely thanks to constant airings on the Disney Channel and its availability for rental. Shaw noted that its popularity took about 20 years to build, stating, “That was like 20 years later… [or] like 12 years later.” Eventually, what had been ridiculed turned into a celebration of the film’s quirky charm and its atmospheric representation of Halloween.

The lasting impact of Hocus Pocus has led to a resurgence in interest, culminating in a sequel that was released in 2022. Following the success of the sequel, Disney announced in June 2023 that a third instalment of Hocus Pocus is officially in the works. Though details about the forthcoming film remain under wraps, Bette Midler hinted in October 2025 that she had received a script, which she praised as “brilliant.”

Sarah Jessica Parker also mentioned that she and her co-stars were engaging in discussions about the film’s development, indicating that the legacy of Hocus Pocus continues to inspire its cast even decades after its original release. The transformation of this film from a commercial disappointment to a cherished piece of pop culture serves as a testament to the shifting dynamics of audience appreciation and nostalgia within cinema.

As fans await further announcements regarding Hocus Pocus 3, Shaw’s reflections highlight the unpredictable nature of a film’s journey in the entertainment industry. While its initial reception was far from triumphant, the evolving legacy of Hocus Pocus illustrates that sometimes, time can reveal the true magic within a story.