After nearly 30 years, fans of Hocus Pocus finally got to spend time with the Sanderson sisters once again with the release of Hocus Pocus 2 in September 2022. But you won’t have to wait as long for a third movie. Disney has already confirmed that Hocus Pocus 3 is in the works, which, like the second movie, will be released on Disney+.
At this point, it’s unknown when the film will premiere, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, Hocus Pocus 2 director Anne Fletcher and writer Jen D’Angelo will return. It also seems likely that the three Sanderson witches—Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) — will be back, since they sound interested… or at least like they’re not ruling it out.
But, while we wait on more details about the third movie, you should know there are ways to celebrate your Hocus Pocus fandom without just rewatching the movies over and over again. Hocus Pocus fans can visit some of the spooky filming locations from the movies IRL.
When it comes to the first movie, some of the production took place on location in Salem, Massachusetts while other scenes were shot at studios in California. As for Hocus Pocus 2, a lot of the filming was done in Rhode Island, where sets were built and streets were made to mimic those in Salem. There were also reshoots done in New York City.
So, if you want to get some witchy vibes on your travel itinerary, check out the Hocus Pocus filming locations below that you can actually visit. Read up on the below spots and get to planning that trip!
Max and Dani’s House
Teenager Max (Omri Katz) and his little sister Dani (Thora Birch) spend the first movie trying to flee the Sandersons after Max accidentally brings them into modern times. The exterior of their house was filmed at 4 Ocean Ave. in Salem. The house is a private residence, but fans can see the outside if they’re walking by.
“It’s inundated with visitors, and I feel very bad for [the residents] because not everybody minds their manners,” said Katie Fox, executive director of Destination Salem, to Boston.com in 2018. “They’re really good sports about it, to a point. But people walk right up onto their porch or leave trash in their yard. It’s very disrespectful.”
Allison’s House
Max’s crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw) also joined Max and Dani on their mission. The exterior of her house is the Ropes Mansion at 318 Essex St. in Salem. According to Roadtrippers, the mansion is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum and tourists can enjoy the garden at the location.
The High School
The building used for Max and Allison’s school is Phillips Elementary School at 56 S Washington Square, which is also in Salem. According to Boston.com, it hasn’t been used as a school since 1992 and is now apartment units.
Pioneer Village
The set for Salem in the late 1690s in the movie was Pioneer Village, a tourist attraction that shows Salem as it was in the 17th century. It was constructed in 1930 when it became the first living history museum in the U.S. It’s located at 98 West Ave. in Salem and admission is $5.
Old Town Hall
In the first film, Salem’s Halloween party is held at Old Town Hall, which in real life used to serve as a government building but is now used for cultural events and can be rented out, according to the Salem website.
Salem Common
According to Salem.org, some of the outdoor scenes in the movie were filmed at Salem Common, a park in downtown Salem that has been around since the 17th century. A Halloween event called Haunted Happenings is held in the park each year, which features movie screenings—and of course, Hocus Pocus is often shown.
The Cemetery
The daytime cemetery scenes in Hocus Pocus were not filmed in Salem, but instead at Old Burial Hill cemetery in Marblehead, Massachusetts, according to Salem.org. But it’s not very far from the other locations—only about five miles outside of Salem.
Chase Farm Park
Moving on to Hocus Pocus 2, Chase Farm Park in Lincoln, Rhode Island was turned into 17th century Salem, according to The Providence Journal. The park is usually… well, a normal park that features outdoor activities and concerts.
Washington Square
Washington Square in Newport, Rhode Island served as the modern day Salem in the movie. The area was decked out in Halloween and fall-themed decorations and is one of the places where viewers got to know the new teen characters, Becca (Whitney Peak) and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo).
That said, if you look for the Magic Shop specifically, you won’t see it. According to Atlas of Wonders, it was built on an empty lot and the interior shots were filmed in a studio.
The New Cemetery
Of course, Hocus Pocus 2 also featured a cemetery. This time, it was the Lakeside, Carpenter, and Springvale Cemeteries, which are all located together in East Providence, Rhode Island. The Newman Congregational Church can be seen in the background.
The New High School
The high school for the Hocus Pocus 2 characters—the fictional Samuel Skelton High School—was actually two schools. According to The Providence Journal, the exterior shots were filmed at Moses Brown School while the interior was La Salle Academy. Both schools are in Providence.
