After almost two decades, Hocus Pocus 2 has a confirmed release date of September 30, 2022. The classic 1993 kids' movie Hocus Pocus is getting a sequel on Disney+, and here's everything to know about Hocus Pocus 2's cast, story details, and release date, Directed by Kenny Ortega, Hocus Pocus starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters, three witches who were burned at the stake in 17th century Salem. Though the Halloween movie was initially underwhelming in terms of critical reception and box office earnings, it has since become a pop culture phenomenon. Fans have been asking "when is Hocus Pocus 2 coming out" for nearly twenty years, and in September 2022, the wait is finally over. Here's all the Hocus Pocus 2 info so far.
The original 1993 Hocus Pocus storyline follows the Sanderson sisters decades later when a teenager, Max (Omri Katz), moves to Salem and ends up at the witches' old home, where he lights the Black Flame Candle and accidentally brings the trio back from the dead. Max, his little sister Dani (Thora Birch), and local girl Allison (Vinessa Shaw) team up with a talking cat named Binx (Jason Marsden) to try and stop the witches before they can consume the life forces of every child in town.
Speaking in 2017, original screenwriter Mick Garris said he had heard rumors of Hocus Pocus 2 moving ahead as a TV movie with a script already in development. Shortly afterward, it was confirmed that a Hocus Pocus TV movie was in the works at Disney Channel for release on Freeform and that it would be a reboot rather than a direct sequel. However, October 2019 brought the news that Hocus Pocus 2 would indeed be a sequel to the original and will be heading to Disney+ instead of Freeform. Now, in 2022, the Hocus Pocus 2 trailer is here, with Workaholics writer Jen D'Angelo penning the Hocus Pocus 2 script and Anne Fletcher directing. Here's everything fans need to know as they eagerly await the sisters' return to Salem.
Hocus Pocus 2 Release Date And Trailer
Development on Hocus Pocus 2 was initially slow-going, but when is Hocus Pocus 2 coming out for real? Disney has released an official trailer that answers the question. Although it would make sense for Hocus Pocus 2 to release on Halloween, it will actually hit Disney+ on September 30, 2022. This is perfect timing, as it will allow audiences to steep themselves in the movie's spooky vibes all throughout October rather than just on Halloween night. After the initial June tease, a new Hocus Pocus 2 trailer debuted at the D23 Expo a few weeks prior to release. Not only did this double down on the confirmed release date, but it also revealed that Hocus Pocus 2 would explore the origin of the Sanderson Sisters alongside chronicling their return to modern-day Salem 29 years after the original movie. Fans were also delighted that the trailer gave them a look at the return of one of the most beloved characters from the original Hocus Pocus — Billy Butcherson, played once again by Doug Jones.
Hocus Pocus 2 Cast
When Disney confirmed that the upcoming Hocus Pocus movie is a sequel instead of a reboot, it immediately raised questions about whether Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker's Sanderson Sisters would be returning. Thankfully, the actresses are officially reprising their beloved roles as Winnie, Sarah, and Mary. Hocus Pocus 2 will also feature an appearance by Doug Jones (The Shape of Water, Star Trek: Discovery) who memorably played Billy Butcherson. The sequel will also introduce new characters to the franchise, especially in the roles of the three young women at the center of the next chapter. Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl) plays Becca, a young witch, who along with Belissa Escobedo's Izzy accidentally summons the Sanderson Sisters. Lilia Buckingham joins them as Cassie, who is also the Mayor's daughter. Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca in Ted Lasso) is playing a mysterious character called The Witch, and Sam Richardson (Veep) plays the owner of the Olde Salem Magic Shoppe. Three RuPaul's Drag Race stars will also cameo as Drag Queens who impersonate the Sanderson Sisters — namely Ginger Minj, Kornbread Jeté, and Kahmora Hall.
Hocus Pocus 2 Story Details
While story details for Hocus Pocus 2 are being kept under wraps, the trailer has revealed some key information – namely, the return of the Sanderson sisters. After Hocus Pocus 2's new young protagonists light the Black Flame Candle, the three witches reappear to haunt Salem once again. In this way, the sequel will follow rather directly in the footsteps of the popular original Hocus Pocus movie, centering around Becca and Izzy as they make the same mistake Max did nearly three decades prior. On her quest to become a witch, Becca (with Izzy's help) brings the Sanderson sisters back to modern-day Salem, 29 years after they last appeared, where the witches cause chaos with continued plans of feasting on the souls of children. Cassie, the mayor's daughter and a former friend of Becca and Izzy's, joins them in stopping the Sanderson sisters. Viewers can almost guarantee the plot will coincide with Halloween, as the holiday has become synonymous with the original movie. What remains to be seen is how characters like Hannah Waddingham's The Witch fit in, or Sam Richardson's Gilbert. His magic shop is in the same house the Sanderson Sisters once lived in, so it's a guarantee this will somehow feature in the plot.
Are Any Original Cast Members Returning For Hocus Pocus 2?
Hocus Pocus 2 is banking on nostalgia, but while Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Doug Jones are all reprising their Hocus Pocus roles as the Sanderson Sisters, they sadly won't be joined by the remaining cast of the original movie. Thora Birch, Larry Bagby, Tobias Jelinek, Omri Katz, and Viness Shaw were all confirmed to not be returning at various points in 2022. This means that Dani, Ice, Jay, Max, and Allison won't be in Hocus Pocus 2 when the Sanderson Sisters return 29 years later (even for a cameo). This also reveals a great deal about the Hocus Pocus 2 story in some ways. It all but guarantees Hocus Pocus 2 won't be heavily reliant on the plot of Hocus Pocus and will cater as much to new audiences as it will be to returning fans, priming it to be a hit family Halloween movie.