Hocus Pocus Where Was It Filmed

Last Halloween, I carved a pumpkin so ugly it looked like it had seen a ghost. And honestly? It probably had — because that night, I watched Hocus Pocus for the fifteenth time and suddenly thought, wait… where did they actually film this?

Little did I know, the answer would send me down a rabbit hole of Salem lore, historic streets, and dusty old houses. Buckle up, witch lovers — let's talk about Hocus Pocus and where it was filmed.

The Basics: Salem, Massachusetts

Okay, so the obvious answer is Salem, Massachusetts. The film's story revolves around the legendary Salem witch trials, after all, so it would be weird if they filmed it anywhere else, right?

Well… it's a little more complicated than that. While Salem set the mood and provided several key exterior shots, not every frame was captured on New England soil.

But Salem is the heart and soul of the film. Its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture scream "witchy autumn vibes" like nothing else on Earth.

The Famous House: Derrips House

The cute yellow house where Max and Dani live? That's one of the most iconic locations in the entire movie. It sits at 8 North Washington Street in Salem, and yes, you can actually visit it.

— Side note: Please be respectful if you go. You don't want to be that neighbor who knocks on the door at midnight holding a flaming broom.

Known as the Derwins House, this charming colonial-style home was built in 1675. It blends perfectly into the historic Salem town, looking almost exactly like the whole town could slap together a time machine and go back 300 years.

Hocus Pocus Filmed In Salem

The Cemetery Scenes

Several eerie scenes take place in a cemetery, and those were filmed at the Quaker Cemetery on Salem's Town Bridge. The atmosphere there hits different when you know witches once (allegedly) ranged those grounds.

Old gravestones, overgrown moss, and that unsettling gray light — it's like Salem was born to be in a supernatural thriller.

— Fun fact: The cemetery scenes gave most of the cast actual chills on set. Not that we blame them one bit.

Inside the Town: The Salem Maritime National Historic Site

The famous "Hocus Pocus" book discoveries and the Sanderson sisters' rehearsals happened in Salem's historic town center. Some scenes were shot near the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which sits right on the waterfront.

The old brick buildings, the harbor views — everything feels so authentically colonial that you half expect to see a real witch peek through a window.

5+ Most Iconic 'Hocus Pocus' Filming Locations You Can Visit in Real Life

And honestly? This location is chef's kiss for a movie about 17th-century sorcery.

But Wait — California Gets Some Credit Too

Here's the plot twist nobody expected: several scenes were actually filmed in California. The Sanderson sisters' in-house scenes and certain interior work took place on sound stages in the Golden State.

— Yes, you read that right. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker made witchcraft magic happen under the California sun.

The Massachusetts town of Marblehead also appeared in a few establishing shots, adding another layer of New England authenticity to the film's tapestry.

The Oxbow House in Wenham, Massachusetts

The interior of the Sanderson sisters' ancestral home — the one with the spooky staircase and dusty corridors — was recreated on a set, but its exterior inspiration came from Salem's Peabody Essex Museum area.

Where Was 'Hocus Pocus' Filmed? All About the Real Locations

Wenham, Massachusetts, also contributed a few exterior shots of its beautifully preserved colonial buildings.

— Pro tip: if you're doing a Massachusetts road trip, this little town is worth a pit stop. It's much quieter than Salem, which means fewer crowds and better photos.

Why All This Geography Matters

Film locations aren't just places on a map — they're characters in themselves. The production team clearly wanted Salem's real history to bleed into every frame.

Every cobblestone, every lamp post, every ancient tree adds weight to the story of three sisters who refuse to stay dead.

And that's the magic of Hocus Pocus: it feels real because so much of it actually is.

So the next time someone screams "Boooook" in your living room at midnight, just remember — those iconic spots are still out there, quietly keeping Salem's witchy spirit alive. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to plan my own trip. Just don't tell Max Denison. 😈