‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Update: Bette Midler Sends Disney Fans Spiraling With Cryptic Post

Bette Midler knows exactly how to get Hocus Pocus fans talking, and she didn’t waste much time once October arrived.

With Halloween season officially underway, the Winifred Sanderson actress sent a short message to her fellow Sanderson sisters. She didn’t announce a movie, reveal a release date, or confirm that production has started.

She didn’t need to.

The timing alone was enough to raise questions, especially since Disney already has another Hocus Pocus movie in development and all three Sanderson sisters are expected back.

A Cryptic Message Arrives Right on Time

On October 1, Midler shared an image featuring the silhouettes of Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson.

Her caption made things much more interesting.

“Sisssstaaaahs…prepare thyselves. ‘Tis time.”

Midler tagged Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who starred alongside her as Sarah and Mary in Hocus Pocus (1993) and Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).

It didn’t take much imagination to wonder whether something bigger could be coming.

Still, Midler never connected the post directly to Hocus Pocus 3. She didn’t provide a production update or say that filming was approaching. Considering she posted the message on the first day of October, this could simply be three Sanderson sisters getting into the Halloween spirit.

But fans already know their next reunion is coming.

In May 2026, Midler, Parker, and Najimy were confirmed to return for Hocus Pocus 3. The movie remained in early development, with plenty still unknown about its story and eventual release.

That makes Midler’s message harder to brush aside completely.

Halloween Makes the Timing Even More Interesting

October has always been prime time for the Sanderson sisters.

Hocus Pocus (1993) remains closely associated with Halloween, and Freeform is once again airing the movie as part of its 31 Nights of Halloween programming.

Midler embracing Winifred on October 1 makes perfect sense without any hidden announcement behind it.

Then again, Disney is already developing the next movie.

Fans aren’t wondering whether another installment exists. They’re waiting to learn when it will arrive and what story will bring Winifred, Sarah, and Mary back once again.

Midler didn’t answer either question. She did, however, put the Sanderson sisters back into the conversation at the perfect time.

Could Disney Bring Back the Original Kids?

The third movie also gives Disney another chance to revisit characters who didn’t appear in the sequel.

Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, and Thora Birch played Max, Allison, and Dani in Hocus Pocus (1993), but none returned for Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).

That door isn’t necessarily closed.

Katz has expressed interest in returning if Disney wants him back. Writer Jen D’Angelo has also discussed what Max and Allison’s lives could look like today. The creative team even considered appearances from the original characters while developing the second film.

A third movie could finally bring those ideas to the screen.

Max and Allison could have children of their own by now. Dani could also have a family, potentially creating a younger generation with a very personal connection to the Sanderson sisters.

Those children wouldn’t need to hear a Salem legend from strangers. Their parents lived through it.

Disney Already Has a Way Back

The franchise also left behind a convenient path for another Sanderson resurrection.

In Hocus Pocus (1993), Max lights the Black Flame Candle, accidentally bringing Winifred, Mary, and Sarah back. Max, Allison, Dani, and Thackery Binx eventually stop the witches before they can steal the lives of Salem’s children.

Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) introduces Becca, Izzy, and Cassie. Gilbert tricks the teenagers into lighting another Black Flame Candle, once again resurrecting the sisters.

The sequel eventually reveals that Becca is a witch. Winifred gains incredible power but loses Mary and Sarah in the process. Becca and her friends then perform a spell that allows Winifred to reunite with her sisters.

But Disney saves one more surprise for the post-credits scene: another Black Flame Candle exists.

That leaves plenty of room for Hocus Pocus 3 to connect the original characters with Becca’s generation or introduce someone entirely new.

There could even be a path back for Binx through the franchise’s world of spells, curses, and resurrection.

For now, that’s all speculation.

Midler hasn’t said her October 1 post concerns Hocus Pocus 3. Maybe Winifred was simply celebrating Halloween.

But with all three Sanderson sisters already set to return, telling her “sisssstaaaahs” that it’s time was always going to get people talking.