What is the Hocus Pocus 3 release date? Hocus Pocus 2, the sequel to the classic Halloween movie, kept the door open for a potential third movie by introducing us to a new generation of witches, with Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) becoming a coven themselves by the end of the film.
Furthermore, the Hocus Pocus 2 ending and the post-credit scene also left the door open for our favorite, all-singing OG Sanderson Sisters — Winnie (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Namijy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) — to return in a new movie.
We might’ve waited 29 years between the first and second Hocus Pocus, and now we have a third one on the way! So with that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about the Hocus Pocus 3 release date, plot, cast, and more.
Hocus Pocus 3 release date speculation
It was confirmed on June 4, 2023 that Hocus Pocus 3 was happening, so we think it could arrive later in 2024 or 2025.
Given the cult following surrounding the original ‘90s movie, and the subsequent response to the long-awaited sequel, it’s not surprising that Disney are looking to bring back the Sanderson sisters.
News of Hocus Pocus 2 became public in October 2019, although filming on the movie didn’t start until two years later, in October 2021, ahead of a September 2022 release.
Developing a script and getting a cast and crew together takes time, of course, meaning that we’d likely get an autumn 2024 or 2025 release for the newest scary movie for kids. (And Halloween seems an apt time for release, so we’d be willing to bet on that!)
Hocus Pocus 3 cast speculation
The creatives behind Hocus Pocus really want to bring the original cast back into the fold, so we’d expect to see the Sanderson sisters, and (potentially) Max and Allison return in the sequel.
This means that the cackling triad of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy would likely come back, as well as Omri Katz and Vinessa Shaw if we’re lucky.
Screenwriter Jen D’Angelo has made it known how much she would want to get the original cast back together, saying [via Variety], “We tried so hard to get the original cast back for cameos and then it just kept not working out for one reason or the other. But I’m hoping in Hocus Pocus 3, we’ll see Max and Alison living in California.”
Here’s the expected Hocus Pocus 3 cast:
- Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson
- Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson
- Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson
- Omri Katz as Max Dennison
- Vinessa Shaw as Allison
- Whitney Peak as Becca
- Lilia Buckingham as Cassie
- Belissa Escobedo as Izzy
What will Hocus Pocus 3 be about?
We think that Hocus Pocus 3 will focus on Becca dealing with her witch powers, as well as a confrontation years in the making between Max, Allison, and the Sanderson sisters.
As pointed out by Whitney Peak, who plays young witch Becca in the comedy movie, the ending of Hocus Pocus 2 suggested that while the Sanderson Sisters were gone, for now, they weren’t necessarily gone for good…
“There is kind of a post-credits scene that leaves the door open, but you didn’t hear from me,” the Gossip Girl star pointed out in an interview with HollywoodLife. The post-credit scene shows a box clearly labelled ‘Black Flame Candle #2′ — which, as we know, is the key to bringing the Sanderson Sisters back. Peak added in her interview that she interpreted the post-credit scene “as there was maybe potentially a second black flame candle, and somebody’s going to have to light it.”
Another route would be to continue on with the exploits of our new generation of witches: Becca, Izzie, and Cassie.
In a brief origin story for the trio, Hocus Pocus 2 introduces us to younger versions of the Sanderson Sisters, with Taylor Henderson as Winnie, Nina Kitchen as Mary. and Juju Journey Brener as Sarah. With the young trio being widely praised by critics, is it possible that we might see a more feature-length prequel exploring the witches’ early years? Well, as all their Star Wars series‘ show, Disney Plus has never shied away from a prequel or three.
Hocus Pocus 3 trailer
Since the movie has only just been greenlit, we think we’ll be waiting until 2024 to see a trailer for Hocus Pocus 3.
In the meantime, you can revisit the trailer for the original movie above, as well as Hocus Pocus 2 below to refresh your memory of the story so far.
Where can I watch Hocus Pocus 3?
Since the most recent sequel was released on Disney Plus, we would expect Hocus Pocus 3 to come out the same way.
The streaming service made a big song and dance about the sequel, so expect plenty of noise when the third movie comes out. In the meantime, check out all the best Disney Plus movies and Disney Plus shows you can watch to keep yourself occupied.
If you want more spellbinding scares, check out our guide to the best horror movies. We’ve also got a list of all the best movies ever made, too. And while you’re on a spooky binge, why not check out how to be a final girl in 2023?