Hocus Pocus Claims Top Spot on Disney Plus
The 1993 cult classic finds new life as the most streamed film on the platform during the Halloween season.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Horror
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Do you prefer rewatching nostalgic holiday movies over streaming new releases during the Halloween season?
The 1993 film Hocus Pocus currently holds the No. 1 ranking on Disney+ as viewers seek out nostalgic Halloween content. The movie, which centers on two siblings who awaken a trio of witches in Salem, continues to dominate streaming charts decades after its debut.
Why it matters
Audiences consistently turn to the Sanderson Sisters during the Halloween season due to a high demand for family-friendly, nostalgic horror entertainment. This enduring popularity has solidified the film as a staple of the holiday viewing tradition.
The film has a 96-minute runtime and maintains its No. 1 status on Disney+ 33 years after its original 1993 theatrical release. Additionally, the movie saw a resurgence in commercial interest when it re-entered the box office top 10 in 2023.
The players
Sarah Jessica Parker
She is an actress who portrays one of the Sanderson Sisters in the film.
Bette Midler
She is a renowned performer who stars as the lead witch in the production.
Kathy Najimy
She is a comedic actress known for her role as the youngest Sanderson sister.
Disney
This media conglomerate owns the intellectual property and is currently developing a third film.
The details
Featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy as the iconic Sanderson Sisters, the story follows a group of teenagers who accidentally revive the trio in Salem. Its cross-generational appeal has led Disney to greenlight development on a third installment in the franchise.
Timeline
The film was originally released in theaters in 1993.
Hocus Pocus re-entered the top 10 at the box office in 2023.
As of October 2026, the film holds the No. 1 spot on Disney+.
Industry Dynamics
This performance highlights the ongoing trend of franchise longevity on the Disney Plus platform, where seasonal cycles drive massive engagement for library content. By successfully leveraging nostalgia, the studio continues to prioritize intellectual property that connects with multi-generational audiences.
Viewers can currently access the film through a subscription to the Disney+ streaming service. No additional rental or purchase fees are required for subscribers to stream the 96-minute title during the peak Halloween viewing window.
The takeaway
The success of Hocus Pocus demonstrates how traditional holiday viewing habits have transitioned into the streaming era. Viewers looking for similar seasonal entertainment can explore the platform's curated collections to find other legacy hits that define the October calendar.
Further reading
Discover more seasonal classics in our Horror section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Slashfilm.
Live Poll
Do you prefer rewatching nostalgic holiday movies over streaming new releases during the Halloween season?
