Disney has many powers, even the power to raise movies from the box-office graveyard. The “Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash” (7:50 p.m., Freeform, TV-14) celebrates a 1993 film that was largely ignored by moviegoers and savaged by critics upon its release.
A quarter century of repeat airings on the Disney Channel and ABC Family (now Freeform) have turned it into a classic. Look for interviews with the film’s cast and crew members, including Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. An airing of “Hocus Pocus” (8:50 p.m., TV-14) follows.
Perhaps “Hocus Pocus” became popular because it was a one-and-done project and never turned into a franchise. Box-office failure will do that.
Tonight’s listings are stuffed with franchises, sequels and films that spawned sequels, including: “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers” (7 p.m., AMC); “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” (9:05 p.m., AMC); “Tremors 2: Aftershocks” (7:18 p.m., Starz Encore); “Scream” (9 p.m., Starz Encore); “Hotel Transylvania 2” (6:45 p.m. and 8:35 p.m., FXM); “Freddy vs. Jason” (8 p.m., Paramount); “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (10 p.m., Paramount); “Saw II” (6:46 p.m., Starz); “Saw III” (8:21 p.m., Starz); “Saw IV” (10:12 p.m., Starz); “Jeepers Creepers 3” (7 p.m., Syfy); “Leatherface” (9 p.m., Syfy) and “The Conjuring 2” (8 p.m., TNT).
— Fans can also tune in to an all-day marathon of “Supernatural” (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., TNT, TV-14) or binge on every episode of “The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror” (8 a.m. to 10 p.m., FXX, TV-PG), presented in chronological order.
— The premium service CBS All Access begins streaming “Tell Me A Story.” Created by Kevin Williamson, “Tell Me” reimagines classic fairy tales as grim thrillers set in today’s New York. Want to see “The Three Little Pigs” pull a heist? This is the series for you!
— Netflix imports the Thai series “Girl From Nowhere” (TV-MA), about a mysterious teenage girl who enrolls at different schools and helps reveal the wrongdoings of teachers and students.
— The horror spoof “Stan Against Evil” (10 p.m., IFC, TV-14) returns for a third season. Look for guest stints from Scott Adsit, Maria Bamford, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Eddie Pepitone. John C. McGinley stars.
— On the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, “Sinking Cities” (10 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) explores the reality of rising sea levels and the catastrophically expensive prospects for coastal urban centers like New York.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— A teen shows up with liver failure on “Chicago Med” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
— Mario guest-stars on “Empire” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14). Like “Star” (below), this will air only if a World Series Game 7 is not required.
— Mike Tirico hosts a panel discussion on “1968: The Legacy of the Mexico City Games” (8:30 p.m., NBCSN).
— Gorsch throws his weight around on “Chicago Fire” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
— A politician’s wife becomes a murder victim on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
— Delilah considers her options on “A Million Little Things” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
— Rochelle’s secret emerges on “Greenleaf” (10 p.m., OWN, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
Made for just over $30,000, industrial filmmaker Herk Harvey’s 1962 shocker “Carnival of Souls” (10:15 a.m., TCM) has influenced several generations of independent horror filmmakers.
SERIES NOTES
Hunger motivates on “Survivor” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … Murray gets musical on “The Goldbergs” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) … Macy mangles her magic on “Charmed” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) … Too much to handle on “American Housewife” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
Injuries pile up on “SEAL Team” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) … Olivia overcompensates on “Star” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) … Phil turns on the charm on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG)… Supernatural student bodies on “Legacies” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) … Something catching goes around on “Single Parents” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) … An urban legend rings gruesomely true on “Criminal Minds” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
LATE NIGHT
Mike Myers and Christiane Amanpour appear on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Mike D, Ad-Rock, Minka Kelly, Desus & Mero and Sheck Wes on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … John Stamos, Emily Ratajkowski and Trippie Redd are scheduled on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC).
Diane Lane, Doug Liman, Cloves and Jon Theodore visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Adam DeVine and Dan Stevens appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS).
(Kevin McDonough can be reached at [email protected].)
