The news of Hocus Pocus 2 has gone from us smelling children.... to knowing when it's all going down. We're all thrilled at the prospect of the return of the Sanderson sisters, following the rumors of a Hocus Pocus sequel back in 2019.
Hocus Pocus was initially set for a reboot rather than a direct sequel, and Bette Midler seemed as enthusiastic about that idea as fans of the original film were. In 2017, the actress unabashedly told PEOPLE "I know it’s cheap. It’s going to be cheap!" adding that there was no way she'd be on board for an appearance, no matter how much money was offered. Happily, the prospect of a reboot has been quashed, and we're getting a proper sequel instead.
Hocus Pocus may have been a flop at the box office, but there's a reason its popularity has endured over the decades. Some of the cast reunited last year for Bette Midler's annual Hulaween fundraising event, in a COVID-safe mockumentary called In Search of the Sanderson Sisters. It features stars like Meryl Streep, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billy Crystal, John Stamos, Glenn Close, Bella Hadid, and more to boot.
Hocus Pocus got a theatrical re-release last October, earning $3M in 10 days. That made the film one of the biggest re-releases of 2020, affirming its cult classic status. Now that Disney has confirmed the sequel with Midler, Najimy, and Parker on board, fans will be eager for updates. You can keep up with everything we know about Hocus Pocus 2 so far below.
Latest Hocus Pocus 2 news (updated September 10)
- Hocus Pocus 2 is coming on September 30.
- The first Hocus Pocus 2 trailer is below.
- Is Thora Birch coming back for Hocus Pocus 2, or just trolling?
Hocus Pocus 2 plot
According to the press release "three young women accidentally bring the Sanderson Sisters back to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on the world."
But, aside from that plot point, details are scarce. The Illuminerdi, which doesn't have a great track record, is claiming that sources have revealed a plot about a loner named Becca, an aspiring witch, who summons the Sanderson Sisters with classmate Izzy. What about the third girl? Well, the report also mentions a popular girl named Cassie who gets tied up in all of this, but isn't a part of the summoning?
The 1993 movie saw the sisters resurrected thanks to a spell that Midler's character cast before the witches were hung in 1693 for kidnapping kids and draining them of their life force, which had the unfortunate side effect of killing them.
Hocus Pocus 2 release date confirmed
Hocus Pocus 2 is scheduled for September 30, 2022, and it's coming to Disney Plus.
The original film actually released in July, 1993, but Bette Midler's Instagram post confirming the news that she'd be joining the cast mentions a "Fall 2022" release on Disney Plus.
Hocus Pocus 2 trailer
At D23 2022, we got the first trailer for Hocus Pocus 2. Not only does it deliver the returning Sanderson sisters, but the supporting cast looks great as well. Especially Sam Richardson as Gilbert, the shopkeep who helps unlock the return of the sisters. Hannah Waddingham can be seen early on as The Witch, who got the sisters into the witching business in the first place.
Hocus Pocus 2 cast and crew
Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker are confirmed to return as Winifred 'Winnie' Sanderson, Mary Sanderson, and Sara Sanderson. Midler shared the news on her Instagram account, with Najimy following suit with a post paying homage to her character's famous "I smell children" line. Parker also got in on the fun with an Instagram post of her own that harks back to her "amok! amok! amok!" line from the first movie.
On Nov. 1, Disney confirmed via press release that Doug Jones is back (likely reprising his role as reprise his role as Winnie's ex-lover and zombie William 'Billy' Butcherson), and that Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Veep), Sam Richardson (Veep, Detroiters), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) and Froy Gutierrez (Teen Wolf) are joining the cast.
Thora Birch tweeted a GIF from the original film, with the caption "2022 will be 'Mah-velous!'" which makes us wonder if she'll be in the film as well.
Adam Shankman (Hairspray, Step Up) was pegged to direct, but due to conflicting schedules with his directing duties on Disenchanted, he'll be stepping into the role of executive producer instead. Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses, The Proposal) will be picking up the directorial mantle instead. Shankman will be joined by fellow executive producers Ralph Winter (Adrift) and David Kirschner (Curse of Chucky), and Steven Haft (Tigerland) as co-producer.
"As heartbroken as I am that I won’t be able to direct my friends Bette, Sarah Jessica and Kathy in what is sure to be nothing short of a major event for Disney+ due to scheduling conflicts, I couldn’t be more pleased to be handing over the reins to Anne, who has brought so much laughter and joy into people’s lives with her previous work," Shankman says.
"I am still grateful and proud to help shepherd this ingenious project as executive producer alongside producer Lynn Harris, whom I have loved and admired as a colleague and friend since she helped get me the job choreographing ‘Boogie Nights.’”
Anne Fletcher adds: "Now more than ever, people need to laugh. We should be laughing every day, and there is so much fun to be had with these three unbelievable women playing delicious characters from such a beloved film.
"I am so grateful to be able to play a part in bringing these witches back to life, and to be working with my friends at Disney again makes it all the more special. This is a movie for everyone, from the fans who grew up with the first film to the next generation of viewers, and I can’t wait to get started."
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