National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Hocus Pocus was released by Walt Disney Pictures on July 16, 1993, directed by Kenny Ortega. Though it performed modestly at the box office, the film found its true audience through cable and home video, eventually becoming one of the most beloved seasonal titles in American popular culture. Its blend of comedy, mild horror, and practical effects captured something genuinely distinctive about early-1990s family filmmaking, and its annual return to television has made it a Halloween institution for multiple generations of viewers.

This cell preserves the film's title card, presenting the Hocus Pocus logo in purple gothic lettering against a black background. The triple-frame sequence captures the same composed image across three successive frames of 35mm film, offering a rare look at how the production introduced its title to audiences in theatrical exhibition.