HOCUS POCUS 2 Review: It's a delightfully WICKED good time. With a nod to the original, #HocusPocus2 gives its love to the OG while passing on the Black Flame Candle.

It’s all just a bunch of Hocus Pocus…2!

(L-R): Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in Disney’s live-action HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HOCUS POCUS 2 Review

It’s been 29 years in the making, and HOCUS POCUS 2 did not disappoint. With a delightfully wicked new story, HOCUS POCUS 2 pays homage to the original HOCUS POCUS while offering new lore, a new story, and a reason to look forward to what the franchise may have coming down the pike.

(L-R): Nina Kitchen as Young Mary, Taylor Henderson as Young Winifred, and Juju Brener as Young Sarah in HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HOCUS POCUS 2 Review – What Works

Fans of the original HOCUS POCUS and the Sanderson Sisters will be pleased with this new iteration in the franchise. While 29 years in the making, HOCUS POCUS fans finally have some more HOCUS POCUS love to embrace, including Sanderson Sisters’ backstory, a little bit more learned bout Billy Butcherson, and why Salem is just so enamored with (and fearful of) this trio.

Easter Eggs

Easter eggs are abundant in HOCUS POCUS 2. From callbacks to the first HOCUS POCUS as well as other Disney and pop culture references, viewers of all ages will find some references to chuckle about.

New Blood and Representation

The introduction of the newest young coven is well integrated as a delightfully wicked new story and ensemble to carry on the HOCUS POCUS franchise.

Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) are a welcomely diverse trio, built on a lasting friendship that is both relatable and enviable.

Even more so, we love the representation that Disney has breathed into this new version of HOCUS POCUS. Whether a cult classic reboot or a princess film, every child wants to see themselves on screen and feel seen. From the multiracial gay couple on the couch to the POC leads, we’re thrilled to see the representation in this film.

(L-R): Whitney Peak as Becca, Lilia Buckingham as Cassie, and Belissa Escobedo as Izzy in HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The sequel perfectly sets up the movie for another property, whether it’s HOCUS POCUS 3 or a HOCUS POCUS Series on Disney+, only time will tell, but we are here for it.

Sanderson Sisters’ Backstory and More Lore

After 29 years, we finally see a little more of what shaped some of what helped the Sanderson Sisters to become who they are.

(L-R): Taylor Henderson as a young Winifred Sanderson, Juju Journey Brener as a young Sarah Sanderson, and Nina Kitchen as a young Mary Sanderson in HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Not only do we get some of Young Mary, Young Winnifred, and Young Sarah, but we see a Young Bill Butcherson, as well.

(L-R): Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HOCUS POCUS 2 Review – What Doesn’t Work

As much as fans of the OG HOCUS POCUS will enjoy HOCUS POCUS 2, we also can’t help but miss a little bit of the cheeky, dark humor that filled the first HOCUS POCUS. While there are plenty of nods to the original, this live-action HOCUS POCUS sequel is definitely lighter and more comedic than its namesake.

Those really looking to embrace that dark humor may be mystified as to its whereabouts in this sequel.

Also a bit light on musical numbers, as a whole, OG fans might have hoped the newest Salem Coven to be as lively and entertaining as the Sanderson Sisters, but possibly that’s something we’ll see down the road.

(L-R): Nina Kitchen as Young Mary; Taylor Henderson as Young Winifred; and Juju Brener as Young Sarah in HOCUS POCUS 2; exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises; Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hocus Pocus Cupcakes

Best Quotes from HOCUS POCUS

About HOCUS POCUS 2

A Disney+ Original movie debuting September 30, 2022, exclusively on Disney+, the live-action comedy HOCUS POCUS 2 is a haunting sequel to the Halloween classic which brings back the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters for more comedic mayhem. HOCUS POCUS 2 stars Bette Midler (“The First Wives Club,” “Beaches”), Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex and the City,” “Divorce”), and Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act,” “Younger”), and is directed by Anne Fletcher (“Dumplin’,” “The Proposal”).

It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. HOCUS POCUS 2 also stars Sam Richardson (“The Tomorrow War,” “Veep”), Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water,” “Hocus Pocus”), Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”), Whitney Peak (“Gossip Girl”), Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories”), Lilia Buckingham (“Dirt”), Froyan Gutierrez (“Teen Wolf”), and Tony Hale (“Veep”). The film is produced by Lynn Harris (“King Richard,” “The Shallows”), with Ralph Winter (“Hocus Pocus,” “X-Men” franchise), David Kirschner (“Hocus Pocus,” “Chucky”), and Adam Shankman (“Disenchanted,” “Hairspray”) serving as executive producers.

(L-R): Lilia Buckingham as Cassie, Whitney Peak as Becca, and Belissa Escobedo as Izzy in HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

A Disney+ Original movie, HOCUS POCUS 2 will premiere September 30, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.

Rating: PG
Runtime: 103 minutes
Director: Anne Fletcher
Producer: Lynn Harris
Executive Producers: Ralph Winter, David Kirschner, Adam Shankman
Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Sam Richardson, Doug Jones, Hannah Waddingham, Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham, Froyan Gutierrez, and Tony Hale

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Jana

Jana Seitzer is a writer, traveler, podcaster, and geek. Although well-versed in many fictional universes, Star Wars & Marvel have always been her favorites.

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