The Long-Delayed Spooky Sequel to a 1993 Classic Is Casting a Spell Over the Streaming Chart 3 Years After Its Release

The time for a Hocus Pocus sequel seemed to have passed when it was announced that a follow-up to the beloved 1993 spooky hit was in development and several of the original stars would be reprising their roles. Despite several delays due to the Covid pandemic, the film finally arrived three years ago and debuted with almost 3 billion minutes watched, becoming the most watched movie launch ever on Disney+. Now, the movie is sitting at number two on the platform again, proving that there are some movies that will always draw an audience at a certain time of year.

The original 1993 cult hit sees a spike in interest every year, and the sequel has very quickly piggybacked on the same trend. While many classic spooky, creepy, and outright horrifying movies have been added to the Disney+ library (or on Hulu in the U.S.) it seems that Hocus Pocus 2 has found that same sweet spot its predecessor has held for three decades as a go-to Halloween family watch. For those who have not yet reacquainted themselves with the Sanderson sisters’ return, the synopsis reads:

“It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.”

Will ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Happen?

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution 

With the success of Hocus Pocus 2 – in viewership if not reviews – it was not surprising that the immediate question being asked was, when will Hocus Pocus 3 be announced? In 2023, there was some movement on this matter, with director Anne Fletcher and screenwriter Jen D’Angelo reported to be expected to both return, along with Midler, Parker, and Najimy. D’Angelo also suggested that we could see more of Hannah Waddingham’s Mother Witch character in the next movie. She told Entertainment Weekly:

“I believe that she’s that mother, that she is the scorpion pie mother, and that they had a much more significant relationship with her than we’ve yet to see. But, maybe we will see. I’m hoping that we are able to explore every aspect of these stories and take these characters on a bunch of fun adventures. 3 is still very much in the early stages, we don’t really know what it is, but we’re exploring all options and I think everybody is so delighted by the reaction that Hocus Pocus 2 got, and we’re excited to continue those stories.”

Since then, Midler and Parker have both expressed interest in returning, but also disappointed many fans by revealing several times that they have not heard of any further development on the sequel front. Midler, who celebrates her 80th birthday this December, has previously noted that if there is going to be another sequel then things need to get moving “while we are still breathing,” and while it is certainly a morbid and sobering comment, it is one that is hard to deny has some truth behind it.

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Release Date

September 30, 2022

Runtime

1h 43m

Writers

Jen D’Angelo

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