The original 1993 Disney movie “Hocus Pocus” is the story of 3 witch sisters who were executed in Salem in 1693 and returned to create chaos 300 years later on Halloween night.
Personally, it is a childhood favorite and a classic, truly a cinema and cultural touchstone. Disney hit just the right spot between spooky and silly, with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy mirroring the Three Stooges.
Nearly 30 years later, “Hocus Pocus 2” made fans of all generations happy, paying tribute to the original and adding some gentle updates. I absolutely adore the fact that Midler, Parker, Najimy, and Doug Jones return in the sequel! It was so awesome to see the Sanderson sisters take the screen again – AND I loved getting a peek into their backstory!
A challenge for a sequel to a beloved film is (1) maintaining enough of the original to make the fans happy without being too repetitive and (2) not being too confusing to newcomers. I think that “Hocus Pocus 2” nails it! I love that we get another delightful musical number (just like the original movie) and there are some very comedic moments that bring back strong nostalgia. The storyline, the acting (new and old cast members), and the cinematography were great – all converging into a phenomenal remake.
The original Hocus Pocus will always be my favorite and hold a special place in my heart but part 2 does not disappoint!
One way or another… You’re gonna fall in love with this sequel!
DON’T FORGET: Watch all the way to the end of the credits for an extra scene.