Hocus Pocus 2 – Disney+ Review (3/5)

HOCUS POCUS 2 on Disney+ is the long-awaited sequel to the iconic Halloween movie about the Sanderson Sisters. And yes, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are all back. Read our full Hocus Pocus 2 movie review here!

HOCUS POCUS 2 is the movie on Disney+ about the three Sanderson Sisters, who are witches from Salem that return every time they are (often by accident) summoned. The first movie wasn’t a huge hit when it was originally released. It was popular, of course, but time has made it iconic!

And it would not be a Hocus Pocus movie if we didn’t have the same actors back to portray the iconic Sanderson Sisters. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are all clearly having a blast being back in Salem. For nostalgia alone, this is a true Halloween treat.

Continue reading our Hocus Pocus 2 movie review below. The movie is out on Disney+ on September 30, 2022.

Get ready for Halloween with the Hocus Pocus sequel

Having gone from being a fun little Halloween movie to becoming a Halloween tradition for many, has given Hocus Pocus an iconic status. That’s why this long-awaited sequel to the 1993 movie is a wonderful trip down memory lane.

Especially for those of us who regularly (or religiously) watch it when celebrating Halloween. Like the Home Alone (or Die Hard) during Christmas. Though, to be fair, we already have extensive “must-watch lists” for both Halloween and Christmas.

But hey, we can always make room for one more. After all, we all know that Halloween is really all of October. Just like Christmas begins right after Thanksgiving (or by December 1st at the latest). Those are the rules!

Fortunately, Hocus Pocus 2 delivers exactly what you would expect; Lots of fun and shenanigan revolving around the things that made the first movie a Halloween evergreen.

The Sanderson Sisters

Sure, it’s called Hocus Pocus but it could just as well have been titled The Sanderson Sisters. These three characters have gotten a cult-like status which is also incorporated in Hocus Pocus 2. There’s a look-a-like contest in the town of Salem. And yes, of course, the sisters enter the competition.

Also, it is amazing to see Bette Midler (“Winifred”), Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sarah”), and Kathy Najimy (“Mary”) back in these roles. And what I loved just as much was seeing the Sanderson Sisters as kids. The three young actors portraying the young versions have really nailed the mannerisms of the adult versions.

Taylor Henderson plays “Young Winifred” with her impressive teeth and flaming red hair, Juju Journey Brener
is “Young Sarah” with all her quirks, and Nina Kitchen is “Young Mary” as the constant mediator. Sure, Mary’s mouth hangs to one side when she’s a kid and the other when she’s an adult.

But hey, it’s all part of the camp and kitsch world of Hocus Pocus.

Yes, Doug Jones is back too

Also, horror fans will be happy to know that Doug Jones is also back as Billy Butcherson. Other key characters are portrayed by Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo (American Horror Stories), Lilia Buckingham (Crown Lake), Froy Gutierrez (Initiation), and Sam Richardson (Werewolves Within).

To me, only Froy Gutierrez falls a bit flat since his character is sillier than it needs to be. However, he is usually really great, so I’m sure this is a choice made by the filmmakers.

Watch Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+

Anne Fletcher is the director of Hocus Pocus 2 and with her experience in comedy (and TV drama), she’s an obvious choice. She previously directed movies such as The Proposal (2009) and the Netflix movie Dumplin’.

Jen D’Angelo wrote the screenplay, based on a story by David Kirschner, Blake Harris, and herself. She also co-wrote the horror-comedy Totally Killer which is currently in post-production. It’s also a Halloween movie that I’m very excited about – both due to the cast and plot!

Plus, there is obviously credit to those who created the characters for the 1993 movie. They are David Kirschner (who also wrote on the story for this sequel) and iconic horror writer and director, Mick Garris (Nightmare Cinema). So yes, Hocus Pocus is – at its very core – created by a horror-fueled mind.

I can easily see people watching Hocus Pocus 1 and 2 during October. For the younger family members, they’re perfect for Halloween. And for the rest of us, it’s all good fun – especially since we notice different things – and great to see the next generations have fun with Halloween traditions.

Hocus Pocus 2 is out on Disney+ worldwide from September 30, 2022.

Details

Director: Anne Fletcher
Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Sam Richardson, Doug Jones, Hannah Waddingham, Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham, Froyan Gutierrez, Tony Hale