Hocus Pocus 2 release date: Cast, plot, trailer and latest news
Everything you need to know about the upcoming sequel to the beloved cult classic.
Three decades after the beloved cult original, Hocus Pocus 2 has finally landed.
The sequel to the original 1993 Hocus Pocus film sees the Sanderson Sisters sisters – Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy) – return to cause chaos in Salem once again after they are accidentally summoned by teenagers Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham).
Read on for everything you need to know about how to watch the Hocus Pocus sequel on Disney Plus, as well as all the casting and plot details.
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Hocus Pocus 2 release date
Hocus Pocus 2 is now available to stream on Disney Plus UK after launching on 30th September. Get ready to get into the spirit of Halloween early!
After having reportedly been in development for a number of years, Hocus Pocus 2 was officially confirmed at Disney's 2020 Investor Day – fresh after the original Hocus Pocus film had become the biggest big-screen re-release of 2020 at the worldwide box office, while filming kicked off in late 2021.
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It seems the film will not be getting a cinema release but will instead go straight to the streaming service.
Hocus Pocus 2 cast
The film features stars of the original reunite – as it's a proper sequel, rather than a remake or reboot.
In October 2020, Bette Midler told Fox 5 New York, "They want to make a movie, they’ve asked us if we were interested and of course all of us said yes."
She added: “I’m game, I’m totally game.”
In May 2021, it was indeed confirmed that we would see Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprise their roles as the three Sanderson sisters!
Meanwhile, Doug Jones also returned to reprise the role of Billy Butcherson, alongside an exciting list of new cast members.
Those newcomers include Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham, and Veep pair Tony Hale and Sam Richardson, as well as Whitney Peak (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Lilia Buckingham (Zoe Valentine), Belissa Escobedo (The Baker and the Beauty), Juju Brener (Vanquish), Froy Gutierrez (Teen Wolf), Taylor Henderson (Earwig and the Witch) and Nina Kitchen.
Hocus Pocus 2 trailer
A trailer landed back in June, showing Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy in action as the sinister Sanderson Sisters, who will once again be wreaking havoc on the town of Salem, Massachusetts. Watch below:
In addition, to celebrate the release of the sequel in September, Disney Plus UK's official Twitter page has shared a special featurette of the cast discussing the magic of reuniting for the project.
"As soon as we walked on the set, the dynamic between the three of us was exactly as it was 30 years ago," Midler says in the clip. "It's as if these characters lived with us for the last 30 years. It was a real thrill to come back and play these characters."
Sarah Jessica Parker added: "It's very special to be part of something that has become so meaningful in people's lives."
The short behind-the-scenes clip also features director Anne Fletcher revealing that she wanted to create a backstory for the Sanderson sisters which hadn't been explored in as much detail before.
Whitney Peak, who plays Becca, one of the teenage girls who brings back the Sanderson sisters, also spoke about how the film is a celebration of female friendship.
Commenting on the new faces in the sequel, Najimy added: "These women are so talented, and added such a great layer to this whole experience."
What will the Hocus Pocus sequel be about?
Hocus Pocus 2 synopsis reads: "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".
The film is directed by The Proposal's Anne Fletcher, who previously assured fans that the film will please new and old fans alike.
“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," she said. "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.”
Fletcher took over from previously announced director Adam Shankman, who is hard at work on Enchanted sequel and fellow Disney Plus exclusive Disenchanted.
Original Hocus Pocus writer Mick Garris told Comicbook.com he had been "excited" by the prospect, adding that "the main reason the movie worked was the Sanderson Sisters".
Meanwhile, Bette Midler has said of the script that "I think all of us agreed that it was pretty great" – so whatever happens in the movie it looks like fans could be in for a (trick or) treat.
Hocus Pocus 2 is available to stream now on Disney Plus. Check out more of our Film and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.
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