Here’s where it gets fun. The filmmakers did shoot key scenes in Salem, Massachusetts, but only for about two weeks. The iconic nighttime bike ride to the cemetery? That’s actually filmed on Washington Street in Salem, right near the old town hall. If you visit today, you can stand where Max accidentally crashed his bike—just don’t expect boom mikes overhead.
The exterior of Max and Dani’s house is a real colonial home at 8 Pumpkin Street in Salem. Locals know it by its blue shutters and the fact that tourists take selfies there every October. Pro tip: the house is a private residence, so be respectful. Snap your photo from the sidewalk and whisper “amuck, amuck, amuck” under your breath.
Now for the biggie: the high school and the Halloween party. Those were shot at Washington Irving Junior High School in Los Angeles. Yes, the same school where Marty McFly’s band played in Back to the Future. Hollywood keeps its sets on a tight rotation.
The Surprisingly Simple Sets
The Sanderson sisters’ lair—with its giant cauldron and dangling potions—was built on Disney’s soundstage, but the actual textures you see? That’s all practical artistry. The “moonshine” in Thackery Binnek’s potion? Glow-in-the-dark paint mixed with corn syrup. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy had to navigate those slippery floors without face-planting into the camera.
Hocus Pocus Filmed In Salem
And that iconic scene where the sisters ride their broomsticks over the town? It’s a matte painting of Salem combined with miniature models. The real Salem skyline from the 1990s was too modern, so Disney’s artists painted over it with 1580s-style roofs and chimneys. Talk about a time warp.
Fun fact: the “Billy Butcherson” cemetery scene was filmed at Vermont National Cemetery in California? Nope—it was actually a set built at Disney Ranch, a backlot in Santa Clarita. The fake dirt was dyed sawdust, and the “stones” were papier-mâché. Doug Jones (Billy) spent six hours in makeup, then had to lie motionless in that fake mud for two days. Dedication.
