Rejoice, Sistas — 'Hocus Pocus 3' Is (Finally) Moving Forward
Winifred, Mary, and Sarah returned from the dead once, but could the witchy trio cheat death twice? Ever since Disney+ released Hocus Pocus 2 into the world in 2022, fans have been clamoring for a third film in the franchise. After all, the long-awaited sequel became the most-watched original film for Disney+ within the first three days of release. And while the iconic stars admitted they'd love to continue the franchise, they insisted they'd only do so if the story proved compelling enough.
Well, they must have found that story: Former Walt Disney president Sean Bailey confirmed a year after the second film’s release that Hocus Pocus 3 is officially in development. Even better? After what seemed like a lengthy stall-out (it’s been three years!), Deadline reports that the newest sequel is finally moving forward.
Now that Hocus Pocus 3 is actually going to happen, here's what we know about the second sequel — and whether the Sander Sisters could return for another spin on their brooms.
Where did we last leave our favorite witches?
In Hocus Pocus 2, teens Becca (Whitney Peak), Cassie (Lilia Buckingham), and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) accidentally bring the Sanderson sisters back to modern-day Salem 29 years after Max last lit the Black Flame Candle. The sisters immediately start causing chaos, as they're known to do, leaving the trio of friends to stop them before they curse the entire town.
Toward the end of Hocus Pocus 2, after Winifred has been reunited with her sisters, Becca, Izzy, and Cassie walk down the street — and Mother Witch in bird form flies behind them. Then, in the end credits, we see the black cat Cobweb perched next to a box in Gilbert's Olde Salem Magic Shoppe. What does the box say? "B.F. CANDLE #2." In other words, there's another candle right there in the shop that could bring the Sanderson sisters back.
So... what’s the status with Hocus Pocus 3?
In a 2023 profile with The New York Times, Bailey put anxious fans out of their misery, saying, “Yes, Hocus Pocus 3 is happening.”
Now, according to Deadline’s May 2026 report, a halt due to contract negotiations has been settled, allowing production to pick up steam.
Given the excitement surrounding Hocus Pocus 2 (not to mention the original Hocus Pocus' status as a must-see Halloween film), turning the franchise into a trilogy has felt like a no-brainer from the beginning.
Bette Midler, who plays the crafty Winifred, would love to keep playing the eldest Sanderson sister. "I'm envious of other actors who have franchises, and I was hoping for a sequel to First Wives Club, but we never got that," Midler said to Entertainment Weekly. "After 30 years with no sequel to Hocus Pocus, I've always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once. The fact that we got to do this finally, after 30 years of promoting the idea, I'm glad we got to do it. I'd love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing."
What would a Hocus Pocus 3 be about?
As you may have guessed, they’re keeping details about the threequel under tight wraps.
Midler herself had previously admitted that where the Sanderson Sisters go next would be a surprise to her, too. "I can't imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary, and our relationship. It's good for women. We stick together through hell and high water, but we do cause mayhem, and not many women cause that much mayhem!"
But since the Sanderson sisters have wreaked havoc on Salem twice, having them do the same thing again might start to feel redundant. That's why a third Hocus Pocus would need to take the witches somewhere they've never gone before.
There’s also the possibility that a third film could finally bring back more original stars, like Thora Birch. Speaking with ET Canada ahead of Hocus Pocus 2’s premiere, Birch explained of her character, “There were three options we had for how to bring Dani back, all of which I was excited by.” However, “By the time they got around to filming, I was already on something else.”
Then, Hocus Pocus 2’s new witchy trio revealed to Entertainment Weekly what one of those options was. “We almost had her. She was going to be our schoolteacher,” said Escobedo. “I remember talking to Anne [Fletcher, the director] about it being a thing where she was our teacher, and we went to her for help.” Explained Peak, “I think it would’ve been a bigger role if it was played by her.” At which point Buckingham added, “We had to have a mentor figure.”
As for Dani’s older brother, Max, screenwriter Jen D’Angelo hinted that they’re still holding out hope they can work him into the revived franchise, too. “We tried so hard to get the original cast back for cameos and then it just kept not working out for one reason or the other,” she told Variety. “But I’m hoping in Hocus Pocus 3, we’ll see Max and Alison living in California.”
Hey, it certainly doesn’t seem too late for that, or for Dani Dennison to move back to Salem, take up residence as a teacher, and become a mentor to this new little “coven.” We’d watch that.
source https://www.scarymommy.com/entertainment/hocus-pocus-3
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