Hocus Pocus 3: Everything we know

Hocus Pocus 2 was a big hit for Disney, making a further sequel very much inevitable, so here’s everything we know about Hocus Pocus 3 so far.

The first Hocus Pocus movie starred Better Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as a trio of evil witch sisters, and while the high-concept comedy was a modest hit in 1993, it took nearly 30 years for a sequel to happen.

The new movie saw all three actresses return as the diabolical Sanderson Sisters, and the film was a smash on Disney’s streaming service. A record-setting 2.7 billion minutes were streamed during the Hocus Pocus 2‘s launch weekend, and it was the fifth most streamed movie of 2022, with a grand total of 5.7 billion minutes viewed.

So it’s no surprise the studio is making plans for a third instalment in the franchise. Here’s everything we know about Hocus Pocus 3.

Is Hocus Pocus 3 happening?

Yes! Sean Bailey, the President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Productions confirmed a sequel is in the works.

Disney

During an interview with the New York Times Bailey confirmed the plans, but didn’t reveal any specific details. So, it’s coming, but we don’t know much more yet.

What could Hocus Pocus 3 be about?

Little is known what direction the Hocus Pocus 3 plot would take, but it sounds like Becca could be the focus moving forward.

Disney+

Producer Adam Shankman thinks new character Becca — played by Whitney Peake in the Hocus Pocus 2 cast — could take center stage in a spinoff or sequel. In October, he told The Hollywood Reporter: “[Director] Anne [Fletcher] I think handled that really, really beautifully,” on the revelation that Becca’s a witch.

“We went back and forth on how that was going to work, if it was going to work, forever, and Anne was just like, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ And I think it’s great. And it creates a lot of excitement about potential spinoffs.”

Bette Midler clearly wants to be involved, too. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in September, Midler said: “I’d love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing. If there was a third one, of course I’d sign on, but I don’t know how.

“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.”

Hocus Pocus stars want animated sequel

There is a different school of thought regarding a sequel, though. Sarah Jessica Parker thinks the franchise should go animated for a third film.

Kathy Najimy, who plays Mary, was unsure about a sequel, telling EW: “I feel like we’re done. We’ve pulled every story you could pull out of this. I guess, never say never, but I feel grateful that we got to do it again. I don’t know that there are plans for a third one, but I know fans are dedicated to this film. I’m just happy we can bring this to them.”

Sarah Jessica Parker thinks it could happen via one of Najimy’s previous pitches, though. The actor said: “Kathy had a good idea that the third one should be animated. That would be cool and a smart idea. It’s fun, funny, and could be interesting and innovative, like old-fashioned or new [animation].”

For more witchcraft, dive into the Hocus Pocus 2 ending explained or learn about the fake Hocus Pocus prequel. You’re also probably going to want to know what to expect from Agatha All Along, too.