National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Hocus Pocus was released by Walt Disney Pictures in July 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 comedies in American popular culture. Its blend of broad comedy, genuine menace, and theatrical performance made it a defining title of early-1990s family entertainment, and original 35mm material from the production carries real historical weight.

This cell captures Winifred Sanderson in a dramatically lit moment, her dark costume and theatrical staging reflecting the character's commanding presence. Bette Midler's performance as Winifred is the film's centerpiece, and these three frames from a continuous shot preserve a quiet, concentrated instant of that portrayal — Winifred holding something small near her face, poised and deliberate.