The Sanderson sisters are hopping on broomsticks and doing up their witch-boot laces: After years of rumors, yesterday Disney confirmed that Hocus Pocus 2 will happen, and will be on Disney+.
Coming exclusively to @DisneyPlus is Hocus Pocus 2, the spooky sequel to the 1993 Halloween classic! @AdamMShankman is set to direct.
— Disney (@Disney) December 10, 2020
The original 1993 movie is a deeply beloved spooky comedy about three witchy sisters, a bespelled cat, some oblivious parents, and a spunky girl and her brother. It was not a huge success with critics or audiences, but the years have been kind, in part due to the Disney Channel’s regular seasonal showings of the film. Now, it’s reached such cult classic status that you can buy Hocus Pocus merch at Hot Topic and Her Universe.
Disney’s announcement made no mention of whether the three Sanderson sisters—Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy—are officially on board, but all three have in recent years expressed plenty of enthusiasm about returning. And really, you can’t have more Hocus Pocus without them.
Will Doug Jones’ Billy Butcherson return? Will a grown-up Thora Birch come into play in some way? Will there be another delicious musical number? Given that director Adam Shankman (Hairspray, Rock of Ages) is on board, all signs point to yes on that last one.
No production schedule or tentative release date has been announced, but Disney does love an anniversary. Were the sequel to come out precisely 30 years after the first film, in 2023, it would be almost magical.
