Highlights
- Hocus Pocus star Sean Murray confessed he suffered his first-ever panic attack while watching his performance as Thackery Binx at the film’s premiere.
- The experience was so profoundly terrifying for the actor that it has made him avoid watching his own work ever since.
- Murray reflected on the film’s surprising journey from being a box office “bomb” to a beloved Halloween cult classic.
- The actor also clarified why he didn’t return for the 2022 sequel, stating it was “always going to be about those three witches.”
A Traumatic Premiere Night
For millions, Hocus Pocus is a Halloween staple, but for one of its stars, the film’s debut was a horrifying experience. Sean Murray, who famously played the cursed teenager Thackery Binx, recently revealed that watching the movie for the first time triggered a severe psychological reaction.
Speaking on The Patrick LabyorSheaux podcast, Murray, 47, recounted attending the opening night screening and having an overwhelming response. “I remember when Hocus Pocus came out on like opening night, going to a theater… and like hiding in the back,” he shared. “And I remember, I didn’t know what a panic attack was until that evening. The feeling of seeing myself on a screen like that. I was so terrified. I’ve never been more terrified in my life.”
The Lingering Effect
The actor explained that the intense anxiety from that night has had a lasting impact on his career. “Maybe that was so traumatizing that that’s why I don’t watch myself typically,” Murray admitted. “Because I remember watching myself on a giant screen and going, ‘Oh my god, I can’t handle this. I can’t handle this.’”
From Box Office Flop to Cultural Phenomenon
Murray also reminded fans that the film’s iconic status wasn’t immediate. Released in July 1993, Hocus Pocus initially struggled to find an audience. “It didn’t do well at all,” the NCIS star said. “I remember Bette Midler making some public comment about… that it was a bomb or something.” He recalled that the family film Free Willy, released the same weekend, became a “phenomenon,” while Hocus Pocus “just kind of fizzled out.”
However, Murray credits the “Disney machine” for the film’s incredible revival. Through VHS rentals and television airings, the movie slowly built a loyal following, eventually becoming the Halloween cult classic it is today. “It’s way more popular now than it was when we made the movie. It’s wild,” he added.
Sequel Secrets and Casting What-Ifs
Addressing his absence from the 2022 sequel, Murray said he “never expected” to reprise his role, understanding that the story rightfully centered on the Sanderson sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy.
He also shared a fascinating piece of casting trivia: Leonardo DiCaprio was originally considered for the role of Max Dennison. DiCaprio turned it down to star in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, a decision that earned him his first Oscar nomination. At the time, Murray couldn’t understand turning down a “big Disney movie” for a “strange indie film,” but history proved it was the right move for DiCaprio.