Hocus Pocus 2, directed by Anne Fletcher and screenplay by Jen D'Angelo, has finally premiered. Almost 30 years after the initial release of Hocus Pocus, this sequel brings the Sanderson Sisters back to life, and this time they are pushing their boundaries by trying to enact a spell that will maximize their powers. Instead of going up against the protagonists of the 1993 film, the Sanderson Sisters -- portrayed by Bette Midler (Winifred Sanderson), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson), and Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson) -- are challenged by a new generation in Becca, Izzy, and Cassie.
The success of the first Hocus Pocus was surprising after the film initially flopped. However, it eventually found a cult following -- one that is still felt to this day. From performances during Disneyland's Halloween events to the countless costumes and merchandise at Spirit Halloween, Hocus Pocus certainly found its fan base. It's not surprising, however, that Midler didn't think a sequel would come to be until she learned Hocus Pocus was a phenomenon. During a press conference attended by CBR, Midler addressed this in response to Entertainment Tonight's question about whether she thought this film would ever happen.
"This was kind of a dream come true; it really was," Midler said. "I've been, I don't want to say agitating but kind of after I realized it was actually a phenomenon, I started asking people around my [agent] and people like that, 'Don't you think they would be interested in a sequel?' This was a long time ago. This was like 15 years ago, something like that. So here we are."
A cult classic, while iconic, usually stays popular among a niche group. However, over the years, Hocus Pocus has become more mainstream, evident in the countless costumes, performances, screenings, and merchandise that come out around Halloween. Accompanied by the Disney label attached to it, it's hard not to agree with Midler.
There was a gradual build toward the development and release of Hocus Pocus 2, one that took years and left an impact on '90s kids for more than two decades. Couple that with Disney's remake craze, and a sequel seemed like the inevitable.
Hocus Pocus 2 brings back a lot of nostalgia from the first film, including the actors behind the Sanderson Sisters as well as Doug Jones' Billy Butcherson. Having a chance to reprise such fun and iconic roles for new and returning audiences would be a blast for many performers, as it was for Midler. Once more, she gets to embrace the campy charm of Winifred alongside her on-screen sisters. Perhaps, like the first one, this film will leave an impact on new viewers that will still resonate decades later.
See Winifred's return in Hocus Pocus 2, now playing on Disney+.