Where is Hocus Pocus 2 filmed? Locations featured in the hotly anticipated sequel

Broomsticks at the ready, as we guide you through a whistle stop journey around filming locations where the Sanderson Sisters took to the skies!

The day is finally here and after an epic 29-year wait, Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson are back to steal more life force from children to keep themselves young. Not content with moderate amounts of child kidnapping in the name of eternal youth in Hocus Pocus 2, the sisters really are doing it for themselves as they adapt to life in yet another time period light years away from their own. It’s time to don your finest witchy costumes, grab some popcorn, turn down the lights and get comfortable - the film premiere event of the year is going to be a good one, and there’s no need to even leave the house. Join us for the pre-premiere tour of the locations the action was filmed, and other magical information.

For those asking when is Hocus Pocus 2 coming out, we won't ask where on earth you've been hiding but do have the answer for you pronto. We also have details of the story Hocus Pocus 2 will be telling. For more exciting film sequel news, Paddington in Peru has been announced, and we reveal all we know about the franchise's third instalment.  

Where is Hocus Pocus 2 filmed? 

Hocus Pocus 2 is filmed in Rhode Island, specifically Providence, Lincoln, and Newport. 

In Providence, Atwells Avenue was transformed into a spooky setting. Elite Daily reported Roma Ristorante, a corner bakery, and a market, were all part of the set. 

Elsewhere in Providence, private Catholic high school La Salle Academy was used in the film. The school provided both interior and exterior locations, presumably for the scenes involving high schoolers Becca, Cassie and Izzy whose lives become entwined with the Sanderson Sisters. Footage from a local news team show film crews at the school, and extras waiting for their turn to shoot.  

Also in Providence, the Carpenter Cemetery at 150 Newman Avenue was used as a location, along with Newman Congregational Church at 100 Newman Avenue, East Providence. Photos from the cemetery were captured by a few locals when film crews set up camp there. 

One passing fan managed to get some shots of the night time filming action - it wouldn’t be a witch themed film without some darkness and gravestones. The pictures were captioned “trying to get a selfie with the Sanderson Sisters”. The church is also thought to be the one featured in the film’s trailer.

Still in Providence, and Benefit Street in the College Hill neighbourhood was used for some exterior shots. The colonial-style buildings and cobblestone streets were thought to make excellent period style locations. 

In nearby Cooke Street, cast members were seen being hoisted around in giant harnesses, presumably for scenes involving flying.

In Newport, The Moses Brown school was also captured being set up for external scenes involving the “Salem Scare Fest”. The Scare Fest scenes also took over the entire Washington Square in Newport, where a whole carnival was erected. A video of the set at 56 Spring St, Newport, was shared to Twitter with the caption “The Hocus Pocus 2 crew is working hard to complete the set in Washington Square to start shooting on Monday!”

In Lincoln, Chase Farm was used to construct a huge replica of Salem, with many passersby capturing some brilliant shots of an entire town being erected. Some Instagram pictures were captioned “Hocus Pocus 2 is filming near me so I went down to check out them building the set. This will be a 1600s village for the movie apparently. How cool is this??? Fully geeking out”.

Is Hocus Pocus 2 filming in Salem? 

No, Hocus Pocus 2 will not be filming in Salem. Although the original film was shot there, filming for the sequel took place entirely in Rhode Island. 

Salem in Massachusetts was chosen as a filming location for Hocus Pocus, because of its ties to the original witch trials that began there in February 1692. The producers decided this area with links to witches and magic would make the perfect location for the first installment of the franchise.   

Why is Hocus Pocus 2 filming in Rhode Island? 

No official reason has been given for why filming moved to Rhode Island. However, speculation is rife that the locations found to be suitable for the shoot were all in very close proximity to one another in Rhode Island, making it easier to move between them all.

The Brown Daily Herald also reported the film was originally scheduled to begin filming in Salem, but the location changed when a new director took the helm. Location managers were then told to search Rhode Island for perfect locations. Cinematographer Elliot Davis said there are more quintessential New England style buildings in Rhode Island, reportedly saying “the director loves Providence, she shot here a couple times…and Disney loves the city”.

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