<P> The film received mixed to negative reviews from film critics at the time of its release . Reception has since grown to be more positive towards the film, and it has become a cult film . On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 30%, based on 43 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 10 . The website's critical consensus reads, "Harmlessly hokey yet never much more than mediocre, Hocus Pocus is a muddled family - friendly effort that fails to live up to the talents of its impressive cast ." </P> <P> The Miami Herald called it "a pretty lackluster affair", adding this comment: "Despite the triple - threat actress combo, Hocus Pocus won't be the Sister Act of 1993 . There are a lot of gotta - sees this summer, and this isn't one of them ." The New York Times' Janet Maslin wrote that the film "has flashes of visual stylishness but virtually no grip on its story". Ty Burr of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a C -, calling it "acceptable scary - silly kid fodder that adults will find only mildly insulting . Unless they're Bette Midler fans . In which case it's depressing as hell"; and stating that while Najimy and Parker "have their moments of ramshackle comic inspiration, and the passable special effects should keep younger campers transfixed (...) the sight of the Divine Miss M. mugging her way through a cheesy supernatural kiddie comedy is, to say the least, dispiriting ." </P> <P> The film was released to VHS in North America on September 9, 1994, and later to DVD on June 4, 2002 . Following the film's release on the latter format, it has continued to show strong annual sales, raking in more than $1 million in DVD sales each October . In the mid-to - late 1990s, the film was rebroadcast annually on ABC and Disney Channel before switching over to ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween lineup in the early 2000s . The film has continuously brought record viewing numbers to the lineup, including a 2009 broadcast watched by 2.5 million viewers . In 2011, an October 29 airing became the lineup's most watched program, with 2.8 million viewers . On September 4, 2012, the film was released on Blu - ray . Disney re-released the film on Blu - ray and Digital HD on September 2, 2018, as part of the film's 25th anniversary . The new release contains special features, including deleted scenes and a behind - the - scenes retrospective . </P> <P> Over the years, through various outlets such as strong DVD sales and annual record - breaking showings on Freeform's 13 Nights of Halloween, the film has achieved cult status . Various media outlets such as Celebuzz and Oh No They Didn't have reiterated such claims . In its 25th anniversary year in 2018, the first week of Hocus Pocus viewings on Freeform averaged 8.2 million viewers . A special called the "Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash" was filmed at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and features interviews with members of the cast, including Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, as well as a costume contest hosted by Sharon and Kelly Osbourne . It aired on Freeform October 20, 2018 . </P>

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