Hocus Pocus 2 didn’t just bring back the Sanderson sisters — it reignited a cultural obsession that refuses to die.
More than two years since it premiered on Disney+, the sequel’s spell is still working overtime.
From record-breaking streams to Bette Midler dropping cryptic teases about a third film, fans aren’t ready to close the spellbook just yet.
It’s rare for a family Halloween movie to go this viral twice. But then again, nothing about Hocus Pocus has ever been normal.
Hocus Pocus 2 broke streaming records — and expectations
When Disney+ dropped Hocus Pocus 2 in September 2022, it didn’t just summon nostalgia — it crashed viewing charts.
According to The Wrap, it became the most-streamed movie in the U.S. that weekend, pulling in an estimated 2.7 billion minutes of viewing time in just three days. Even the 1993 original climbed back up the charts, taking the No. 2 spot right behind its own sequel.
For Disney, it was the streaming equivalent of lightning in a cauldron. For fans? It was like reuniting with old, delightfully wicked friends.
“It’s like they never left Salem,” one fan tweeted that weekend. “Winifred’s laugh still gives me chills.”
And honestly — same.
Why the sequel still matters in 2025
Fast-forward to now, and Hocus Pocus 2 has become a Halloween staple all over again. Freeform aired it as part of its “31 Nights of Halloween” lineup this October, giving the Sanderson sisters another prime-time broom ride.
But it’s not just reruns — it’s relevance. Social feeds light up every fall with clips, memes, and yes, even debates about the movie’s “muted” color palette. (One Cinemablend piece called it “surprisingly desaturated for such a bright world of witchcraft.”)
That’s the magic of nostalgia: it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to feel like home.
Bette Midler’s teasing posts have fans brewing theories
Just when the online buzz was settling, Bette Midler tossed in a new spell. The actress — forever our Winifred Sanderson — posted a string of Hocus Pocus-themed photos and captions in late October, hinting that a third film is officially in development.
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Entertainment outlets from People confirmed that Disney has Hocus Pocus 3 in active planning stages, with a completed script and the original cast expected to return.
Midler didn’t spill details, but fans didn’t need much — one post was enough to ignite another Halloween frenzy.
“Lock up your children… again?” she wrote, tagging Disney+ with a wink.
Cue the internet losing its mind.
Hocus Pocus 2 proved nostalgia isn’t dead — it just got digital
Unlike the first film, which earned cult status through VHS rentals and cable marathons, Hocus Pocus 2 became a streaming phenomenon. Its success showed Disney that reviving old favorites doesn’t have to feel like recycling — if you do it with heart.
The sequel pulled off what so many reboots can’t: it balanced fan service with fresh faces. Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, and Lilia Buckingham gave younger audiences new heroes while letting the Sandersons steal the show — again.
That mix of old and new is why Hocus Pocus has survived for 30 years. It’s comfort food wrapped in a witch’s laugh.
The magic lives on — in memes, moms, and midnight rewatches
Even beyond the Disney+ stats, Hocus Pocus 2 became part of pop culture’s everyday weirdness. Remember when a Texas mom went viral claiming the movie was “unleashing evil into people’s homes”?
It was absurd, sure — but it only made the film trend harder. Because that’s the charm of Hocus Pocus: it’s both spooky and safe, wicked yet warm.
People rewatch it not just for the spells, but for the vibe — the autumn air, the mischievous humor, the candy-corn chaos.
So when fans hear there’s a third film coming, it’s not just excitement. It’s a relief. It means Halloween won’t lose its heartbeat.
What could Hocus Pocus 3 look like?
Details are under wraps, but speculation is already wild:
- Will the new film lean darker, or stay family-friendly?
- Could we finally see the Sanderson sisters’ origin story?
- Or will the next generation of witches take center stage?
Either way, the energy around it is pure Disney magic — that sweet spot between cozy and chaotic.
And if Hocus Pocus 2 proved anything, it’s that this franchise doesn’t just rely on nostalgia — it reinvents it.
There’s something comforting about the Sanderson sisters showing up every fall.
Maybe it’s their ridiculous chaos, maybe it’s the campy magic — or maybe, deep down, we just love believing a little mischief never dies.
As Bette Midler once said in an interview, “It’s the gift that keeps on giving — every generation finds a new way to laugh at these witches.”
Thirty years later, that laughter still echoes through our screens — broomsticks, wigs, and all.
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Mohit Wagh is the co-founder and feature writer at The Graval, bringing 10 years of experience in celebrity and pop culture reporting. He crafts engaging, fact-driven stories that capture the pulse of what’s trending across Hollywood and beyond.
