It's going to be the best Halloween yet for Hocus Pocus fans this year as the upcoming sequel will be landing on Disney+ during the spooky season in 2022. On Instagram, Hocus Pocus 2 executive producer Adam Shankman posted an image to reveal that the movie is officially wrapped with filming. In the caption, the filmmaker reveals the release date by noting, "Coming to you Halloween 2022 on Disney+." This follows a recent post from Bette Midler that she had wrapped her work on the film. You can see the announcement post below.
Hocus Pocus 2 is set 29 years after the events of the original movie, now following three high school students working together to stop the returning Sanderson sisters in present-day Salem. The film brings back Bette Midler as Winnie Sanderson, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, and Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, with original star Doug Jones also coming back as Billy Butcherson.
The high school students consist of Whitney Peak (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Becca, Lilia Buckingham (Modern Family) as Cassie, and Belissa Escobedo as Izzy. Tony Hale also stars as the mayor of Salem with Sam Richardson, Hannah Waddingham, and Froy Gutierrez appearing in undisclosed roles. Jen D'Angelo penned the script with Anne Fletcher directing the sequel.
"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," Fletcher said in a previous statement. "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."
The Sanderson Sisters Return in Hocus Pocus 2
When the original Hocus Pocus movie was released in 1993, it didn't exactly set the box office on fire. Initially seen as a disappointment at Disney, the film found new life in subsequent years with its home video release and annual airings on television during the spooky season. It became a popular cult favorite and there had been a growing campaign as the years went by for Disney to bring back the Sanderson sisters to make another movie. Once the right script came along, Bette Midler and the others were happy to get on board.
"They sent the script and we're really excited about it -- we're up for it," Midler told Good Morning America in 2021. "Although I must say, I mean, the years have flown by and I am 75 and I do believe I can fly."
Hocus Pocus 2 will bring back all three Sanderson sisters once again when the movie starts streaming on Disney+ this Halloween.