A virgin lights a candle again in Hocus Pocus 2, the latest from director Anne Fletcher.
To be honest, it’s surprising that it took this long to get a sequel to Hocus Pocus. The 1993 film became a touchstone for a generation, so there are lots of people who want to see the Sanderson sisters run amok again. So Disney has conjured another outing, this time with three teenage girls lighting the black flame candle and bringing the witches back to an even more modern Salem. From there the showdown in the same: the sisters need to consume some children to live past the night while the teens do everything they can to stop them.
Yeah, it’s nostalgia bait, but what silly, fun nostalgia it is. I mean, Bette Midler as a singing witch? Kathy Najimy creepily sniffing out kids? And Sarah Jessica Parker as the requisite inappropriately sexy character in a kids film? Hocus Pocus was an endearing kind of weird, and with that trio returning, Hocus Pocus 2 should be the same.
The teens going against the Sanderson sisters this time are played by Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, and Lilia Buckingham. Taking over the directing chair is Fletcher (Dumplin’), who has a decent amount of features under her belt and should be able to keep this kooky thing aimed directly where it needs to be: at its existing fans.
Hocus Pocus 2 is directed by Anne Fletcher and stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker. It will be released worldwide on Disney+ on September 30th.
Will you let it put a spell on you? Let us know in the comments!
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