Don’t get your knickers in a twist! The three kindly old spinster ladies are back - and the countdown is on for their magical return.
After years of speculation and rumour, fans of the 1993 supernatural comedy classic Hocus Pocus had their dreams answered - a sequel was finally announced in 2019. Filming for Hocus Pocus 2 officially finished in January 2022. A few re-shoots were needed, and by June 2022 the new film was ready to go. Now, in time to get in the mood for a spooktacular Halloween, the release date is nearly here. Get the toffee apples ready, dig out the witches hats, and prepare child on toast - the Sanderson Sisters are back. Here is exactly when Hocus Pocus 2 is coming out, and all the exciting news you need about Halloween's hottest must-see.
The new story of Hocus Pocus 2 tells, revolves around an aspiring witch, and the consequences of a huge magical mistake she makes. Though fans of the old film might be surprised to learn that Hocus Pocus 2 is filmed in a different location to the original. Definitely not family friendly and raising the horror states exponentially, the Devil in Ohio ending explained some plot threads, and left a lot unanswered. Similarly gripping, Netflix's Lou ending was a similarly ambiguous finish to an edge-of-your-seat ride.
Hocus Pocus 2: Release date
Hocus Pocus 2 will be released on September 30, 2022. To tease the upcoming release date, the official Hocus Pocus 2 Twitter account shared an exclusive first-look clip from the film.
In the clip, the Sanderson sisters are seen being seemingly outwitted by their prey - teens Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and Becca (Whitney Peak). They trick Winnie (Bette Middler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) into believing that they're also coven members and that they're actually 40-years-old (and therefore not in the witches' age range to be eaten).
"Thou dost worship us?" 🧙♀️🧙♀️🧙♀️🤩Check out this new official clip from #HocusPocus2, an Original movie event, streaming this Friday on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/cN2nCQEu6nSeptember 28, 2022
Hocus Pocus 2: Trailer
Where can I watch Hocus Pocus 2?
Hocus Pocus 2 can be streamed on Disney Plus, when it arrives on September 30, 2022. A subscription to the streamer will be required.
A Disney Plus subscription costs £7.99 per month in the UK, or £79.90 for a year’s access. The majority of Disney Plus content is available with the subscription, although Disney occasionally releases Disney Plus Premier Access titles, requiring additional payment. However, such titles are usually added to the catalogue a short time later, where they are free to watch. UK subscribers can stream on four screens simultaneously, and register up to 10 devices - the service will support 7 profiles.
There is no free trial offered with Disney Plus. When the streaming service launched in 2020, an initial 1 week free trial was offered at the time to celebrate. However, this was discontinued after the first month, and has not been reinstated.
Will Hocus Pocus 2 be in cinemas?
No, Hocus Pocus 2 will not be in cinemas. It will only be available exclusively to stream on Disney Plus.
The lack of cinematic release hasn’t gone down too well with some fans, who feel taking a trip to theatres to watch it is a big part of the fun. One fan tweeted Bette Midler directly, to say “Hi Bette, little question wanted to ask you, how come Hocus Pocus 2 won’t be having a cinema release? I sadly don't have Disney plus and I’m dying to see the film. Do you think there will be a dvd release in the future?
@BetteMidler Hi Bette, little question wanted to ask you, how come Hocus Pocus 2 won’t be having a cinema release? I sadly dont have Disney plus and I’m dying to see the film. Do you think there will be a dvd release in the future? Thanks xxJuly 1, 2022
Another added that the lack of theatrical release was “annoying”. They’d been hoping to make an entire event of a day to see it, including “lunch and post-film cocktails” and wondered what the cast thought of the lack of big screen involvement.
Is Hocus Pocus 2 free to watch on Disney Plus?
If you already have a Disney+ subscription then yes, Hocus Pocus 2 is free to watch as part of your membership. Disney have not specified that the title is being added to their Disney Plus Premier Access range, where you have to pay extra to view it. This was the case for Cruella and Black Widow - but not so for Hocus Pocus 2.
If you don't have a Disney Plus subscription - you can sign up for one for £7.99 per month or £79.90 per year in the UK. UK subscribers can stream on four screens simultaneously, and register up to 10 devices - the service will support 7 profiles.
Who is returning for Hocus Pocus 2?
- Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson
- Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson
- Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson
- Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson
Billy Butcherson actor Doug Jones shared a picture to his Instagram account, of himself back in makeup for the role. He captioned the post "As if no time has passed at all. Back in my “Billy Butcherson” makeup 27 years later for @bettemidler's charity @nyrp online Hocus Pocus “Hulaween” special ... “In Search Of The Sanderson Sisters".
Are Max and Dani in Hocus Pocus 2?
No sadly Max, Dani and Max's girlfriend Allison will not appear in Hocus Pocus 2. Actress Thora Birch - who played Dani in the 1993 film - confirmed that she was unable to reprise her role due to scheduling conflicts.
"I was just a little dismayed I wasn’t able to make it," she said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. "I was working on something else when they were filming, otherwise I was definitely going to be there on set with the girls. I can’t wait to see what they do with it. I know they’re taking a completely different, fresh approach, so I’m excited."
Birch explained that Disney did approach her to star in the second film, with the idea that she'd appear as adult Dani helping the three new teenagers banish the terrible trio again. But it was her involvement in the Netflix Addams family spin-off Wednesday that meant she couldn't return to Salem once more.
Annual reminder that Dani is the hero of Hocus Pocus. https://t.co/FvQdNH1KIFSeptember 25, 2022
Will Binx be in Hocus Pocus 2?
Binx's return to Hocus Pocus 2 has been teased but not confirmed, and original voice actor Jason Marsden will not be reprising the role.
Speaking to EW, director Anne Fletcher hinted that Binx could return in more creative ways, and possibly not in the form of a cat. She referred to Binx in the original film as "the heart, for sure". She added that she really wanted to bring Binx back, teasing by concluding "We're having some fun with him, so, we'll see".
#Bales2022FilmChallenge Day 229: Black catThis is Thackery Binx, the black feline from the 1993 witch comedy Hocus Pocus. pic.twitter.com/pumJ1t7gMrAugust 16, 2022
However those missing the presence of Binx in feline form, needn't be too concerned - a black cat is set to appear in the film - going by the name of Cobweb. Although similar in appearance, Cobweb will not share Binx's gift of speech as director Fletcher called for "no talking cats" in Hocus Pocus 2. Those hoping to glimpse Binx in his possible new form, will have to keep their eyes peeled.
New Hocus Pocus 2 cast members
- Whitney Peak as Becca
- Lilia Buckingham as Cassie
- Belissa Escobedo as Izzy
- Hannah Waddingham as The Witch
- Tony Hale as Jefry
- Sam Richardson as Gilbert
- Froy Gutierrez portrays Mike
- Ginger Minj as Winifred impersonator
- Kornbread Jeté as Mary impersoantor
- Kahmora Hall as Sarah impersonator
Audiences might recognise Whitney Peak (aka Becca) from the HBO Max reboot of Gossip Girl - where she plays Zoya Lott. Despite her young age, the 19 year-old Ugandan-Canadian actress has racked up a number of screen credits including Apple TV+ drama Home Before Dark and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
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