Along with such films as The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and The Black Cauldron (1985), the original Hocus Pocus (1993) was a cult classic that rose in popularity as the years progressed. The sequel in 2022 brought the witches back to modern Salem for yet another night of Halloween hijinx. Even the lovable zombie Billy Butcherson returned for another romp, but can they do it again?
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from the Sanderson Sisters. While they made a triumphant return in Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) on Disney+, Winnie (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) have been dormant ever since. However, rumors of a third film in development have risen to the surface as reports of a prequel circulate on social media.
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Interest in a third entry in the Hocus Pocus franchise has floated about since the end of Hocus Pocus 2, and even the sequel’s writer, Jen D’Angelo, revealed a third sequel was currently in the works. However, little has been revealed… until now.
Hocus Pocus 3: The Rise of the Sandersons
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According to Entertainment Weekly, Hocus Pocus 3 is still being developed, and Jen D’Angelo reported that it is still in the “story phase.”
“We’re still in the story phase, we’re still working on it. We’ve been working on some ideas, and it’s been fun to dive back into that world and we have so many directions in which to go and so many new characters to explore.”
With that in mind, fans of the Sandersons can rest easy knowing that Disney is hardly finished with its terrific trio of sorcerous sisters. That said, a prequel or a third movie seems to fit the studio’s recent direction, and it might not be as far away as some might think.
A Magical M.O.
If you’re anything like this writer, you’ve noticed that Disney seems to be banking a lot on sequels this year. With properties like Inside Out, Zootopia, Moana, and Frozen getting new additions, it only feels natural that the Sandersons join the fray.
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Disney is currently putting a laser focus on projects and properties that already have a fan following. Per Bob Iger, the studio is not pursuing anything they don’t believe in, and the fan reception of the original film and its sequel truly speaks for itself. That said, the fact that both are classic Halloween flicks viewed on a regular basis by die-hard Disney buffs certainly doesn’t hurt.
What are your thoughts on Hocus Pocus 3? Tell us in the comments down below!
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