‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Is Officially Happening

One of the main tenants of Halloween culture, Hocus Pocus (1993), is getting a third installment. The fantasy comedy film has long had a cult following and the franchise was revived last year when Sanderson sisters Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy all returned for Hocus Pocus 2 (2022). Now, Walt Disney Pictures president Sean Bailey has confirmed that the third Hocus Pocus film is coming in a profile in The New York Times.

Last year the Hocus Pocus sequel broke a record for the biggest movie to ever premiere on streaming with 2.7 billion minutes in its opening weekend. The sequel was an enjoyable stealth remake of the original. It followed the Sanderson sisters as they were awakened by a girl who unknowingly lights the black flame candle on her sixteenth birthday.

The plot of Hocus Pocus 3 may feature a return of original characters Max Dennison (Omri Katz) and Allison Watts (Vinessa Shaw). Screenwriter Jen D’Angelo says the third film may see Max and Allison having moved from Salem to California. Executive producer Adam Shankman has also said that a third film could follow the three girls from Hocus Pocus 2 (Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham and Belissa Escobedo) in a new adventure. Whitney Peak’s character Becca discovers she has magic powers in Hocus Pocus 2, so the third film could see a new trio of witchy sisters rising to power in Salem.

A long list of Hocus Pocus cast members have expressed interest in appearing in a potential third film. The list includes Sanderson sisters Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, Hocus Pocus 3 cast members Belissa Escobedo and Lilia Buckingham, and original cast members Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw and the original voice of Binx the cat, Jason Marsden.

Further reading:

• 25 in-Jokes, Lost Lore and Trivia About ‘Hocus Pocus’
• ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Easter Eggs: Original Movie References
• The ‘Scream 2’ and ‘Hocus Pocus’ Connection You Didn’t Know Existed