Hocus Pocus
After 300 years of slumber, three sister witches are accidentally resurrected in Salem on Halloween night, and it is up to three kids and their newfound feline friend to put an end to the witches' reign of terror once and for all.
Working with a respectable budget of $28.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $51.7M in global revenue (+85% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Hocus Pocus (1993) demonstrates strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Kenny Ortega's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Max Dennison is the skeptical new kid in Salem who doesn't believe in the Halloween superstitions and witchcraft lore that defines the town. He's an outsider, annoyed by his little sister Dani and dismissive of local traditions.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Max lights the Black Flame Candle in the Sanderson house to impress Allison and prove he's not afraid. This single act of skeptical bravado resurrects the three evil witches who immediately threaten the children and begin their quest to steal children's souls before sunrise.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: The witches recapture the spell book and trap the kids in the cemetery, surrounding them with raised graves. The stakes escalate as the witches now have everything they need to become immortal, and Billy Butcherson is raised from the dead to hunt the children., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: The witches capture Dani and begin the life-stealing ritual. Max watches helplessly as his little sister's life force is drained away. This is the "whiff of death" moment - Dani is dying, and it's Max's fault for lighting the candle. His skepticism and ego have cost everything., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The finale: Max executes his plan to stall until sunrise, the kids work together with Binx to outmaneuver the witches, Winifred nearly succeeds in draining Max's life, but the sun rises just in time. The witches turn to dust, and Binx is finally freed from his curse, reuniting with his sister's spirit., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hocus Pocus's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Hocus Pocus against these established plot points, we can identify how Kenny Ortega utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hocus Pocus within the fantasy genre.
Kenny Ortega's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Kenny Ortega films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Hocus Pocus takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kenny Ortega filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Kenny Ortega analyses, see High School Musical 3: Senior Year, High School Musical and High School Musical 2.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Max Dennison is the skeptical new kid in Salem who doesn't believe in the Halloween superstitions and witchcraft lore that defines the town. He's an outsider, annoyed by his little sister Dani and dismissive of local traditions.
Theme
Allison tells Max about the Sanderson sisters and warns him: "It's just a bunch of hocus pocus." The theme is stated - the tension between cynical disbelief and the need to believe in something greater, and the courage required to protect others from real evil.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Salem on Halloween night: Max's fish-out-of-water status in a town obsessed with witch history, his attraction to Allison, his annoyed relationship with sister Dani, the Sanderson sisters legend, and the magical rules (virgins lighting the black flame candle will resurrect the witches).
Disruption
Max lights the Black Flame Candle in the Sanderson house to impress Allison and prove he's not afraid. This single act of skeptical bravado resurrects the three evil witches who immediately threaten the children and begin their quest to steal children's souls before sunrise.
Resistance
The kids debate what to do after awakening the witches. They meet Thackery Binx (the immortal cat), who becomes their guide and explains the danger. Max resists accepting full responsibility, but Binx insists they must stop the witches. The kids narrowly escape the Sanderson cottage.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of kids vs. witches in modern Salem: the witches' fish-out-of-water comedy in the contemporary world, the bus escape, Max and Allison growing closer, encounters at the Halloween party, the witches' musical number, stealing the spell book, and clever cat-and-mouse chases through town.
Midpoint
False defeat: The witches recapture the spell book and trap the kids in the cemetery, surrounding them with raised graves. The stakes escalate as the witches now have everything they need to become immortal, and Billy Butcherson is raised from the dead to hunt the children.
Opposition
The witches close in from all sides: Billy pursues them through town, the sisters track them down, adults won't believe the kids' warnings, time is running out before sunrise, and the witches get closer to capturing enough children to become immortal. Max's plans keep failing.
Collapse
All is lost: The witches capture Dani and begin the life-stealing ritual. Max watches helplessly as his little sister's life force is drained away. This is the "whiff of death" moment - Dani is dying, and it's Max's fault for lighting the candle. His skepticism and ego have cost everything.
Crisis
Max's dark night of the soul: facing the potential death of his sister and the guilt that he caused this catastrophe. He must process his transformation from skeptical outsider to true believer willing to sacrifice himself. The emotional weight of responsibility crushes him before he finds resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Max executes his plan to stall until sunrise, the kids work together with Binx to outmaneuver the witches, Winifred nearly succeeds in draining Max's life, but the sun rises just in time. The witches turn to dust, and Binx is finally freed from his curse, reuniting with his sister's spirit.