Halloweentown vs Hocus Pocus Which Disney Movie Is Better

Halloweentown vs. Hocus Pocus: Which Disney Movie Is Better?

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Disney’s Halloween-themed films, Halloweentown and Hocus Pocus, are both iconic. But which of the two spooky films is considered the best?

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Halloweentown vs Hocus Pocus Which Disney Movie Is Better

During the ’90s and early 2000s, Walt Disney Studios released two Halloween-themed films that helped define a generation. Halloweentown and Hocus Pocus, while releasing on totally different platforms, both told a story about young children facing odds that are far beyond what they’re accustomed to. However, through the struggle, the heroes and the audience manages to have some fun. The debate over which Halloween property is the best doesn’t come up too often, but when it does, it often proves to be more challenging to answer than expected.

Hocus Pocus tells the story of a young boy named Max who resurrects the Sanderson sisters, three witches with a desire to feed on the souls of all of the children in the town. Halloweentown follows Marnie Piper and her siblings as they follow their witch grandmother, Aggie, to her home in Halloweentown. They uncover a mystery in a town where every day is spooky, and everyone is incredibly kind. Unfortunately, while both films are entertaining, their reviews show a vast divide that makes choosing the best incredibly difficult.

Halloweentown Ranks Higher With Critics

Halloweentown vs Hocus Pocus Which Disney Movie Is Better

When it comes to critic reviews, Rotten Tomatoes places Halloweentown at 80 percent, with an audience score of 72 percent. Comparatively, Hocus Pocus sits at 31 percent rotten with an audience score of 71 percent. While the critic scores would indicate that Hocus Pocus is a miss, the overall experience is no different from a typical family film created to offer fun for the whole family. However, since Hocus Pocus was released in theaters, the film may have been subject to harsher examination by critics; thus, earning a higher rating becomes even more difficult. The overall vibe from critics is that the film is largely serviceable but fails to utilize its cast to its full potential.

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Comparatively, Halloweentown was released on the Disney Channel. Rather than appealing to older and younger audiences, like Hocus Pocus, it chose to focus more on telling a heartfelt story. The film is about family and trust at its core, as Marnie wants to be a witch, and her mother won’t let her. Because the film’s themes work so well and the movie embraces the fun and mischievousness of the holiday, it succeeds where Hocus Pocus couldn’t. That being said, while it seems like Halloweentown is the clear winner, Hocus Pocus brings its own magic to the table.

Hocus Pocus Has More Pop Culture Staying Power

Where Hocus Pocus lacked critical appeal, it more than made up for it with its audience. In fact, the same fans of the film when it was released have helped keep the spirit alive by cosplaying, quoting and embracing the film, warts and all. What helps make Hocus Pocus so iconic for modern audiences is the big-name cast’s delivery. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy bring their own unique brands of humor. Merchandising for the film has since skyrocketed as well, with Disney recognizing the cultural significance of Hocus Pocus and a sequel reportedly in the works on Disney+. It’s clear that while it wasn’t a critical success, the fan adoration surrounding the film puts it toward the top.

Halloweentown and Hocus Pocus are both beloved Disney films that celebrate Halloween in their own strange ways. While one wasn’t as critically beloved and the other wasn’t as recognized, they both carry massive adoration from their fans. As a result, there may never be a clear winner between the two as it depends on the audience’s preference. But no matter what, there’s no denying that any fan of Halloween will likely be playing both films instead of one during October.

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Link Source : https://www.cbr.com/halloweentown-versus-hocus-pocus/

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