Come, we fly!

Just as we’ve begun to welcome the leaves turning brown and the fog settling in, we now have the kind of film that screams peak (and brilliant) autumnal viewing. Hocus Pocus 2 is the long-awaited sequel now available to watch on Disney+. 

Call it an early Halloween present or the dose of nostalgia that we all really need right now – either way, people are just glad to see Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprise their iconic roles as the wickedly wonderful Sanderson sisters in the live-action comedy. Nearly 30 years after the first film, this sequel has been a long time coming for Hocus Pocus fans.

And although the anticipated new movie has only landed today (Friday 30 September), it’s safe to say that it’s filling the void of heartwarming films that will leave you feeling all the emotions.

A movie that unlocks our inner child? Yes please.

We’re all just trying to get through the day so we can snuggle up on our sofa, hot drink in hand and ready to relive the magic of Hocus Pocus.

Realistically, will we be watching and re-watching the new film multiple times? Of course.

The new film has been a long time coming and so, of course, we had to re-watch the original to relive some of the film’s best moments.

And we may or may not already be crossing our fingers for a third instalment.

Aside from the initial reactions to the film being positive, full of nostalgia and cementing it as this weekend’s joyful watch, excitement for the new movie has been building for quite some time now.

The film’s producer Adam Shankman confirmed in an Instagram post in January that filming for the highly-anticipated sequel had ended. 

He wrote: “SISTAAAAAHHHHSSS! Aaaaand that’s a WRAP!!! #hocuspocus2,” Shankman, wrote in the caption. “Congratulations to the amazing team @bettemidler @sarahjessicaparker @kathynajimy @567and8 @mrsleshem and the WHOOOOLLLEEEE cast and crew!!!”

He also initially teased the release date for the Disney+ film, which sent the internet into a tailspin. He revealed that the movie, which is also directed by Anne Fletcher (of The Proposal fame, no less) was “Coming to you #halloween #2022 on @disneyplus.”

After years of speculation, filming for the movie officially began back in November 2021, with Midler, Parker and Najimy reprising their roles as Winnifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson, three witches who hunt children to retain their youth. But what could the anticipated sequel be about? Read on to find out more.

So, what is the plot of Hocus Pocus 2? 

The movie will pick up almost 30 years after Max (played by Omri Katz) lit the Black Flame Candle in the 1993 film version and accidentally resurrected three witches on the hunt to steal children.

In the sequel, Winifred, Sarah and Mary seek revenge as they awaken in present-day Salem, according to Entertainment Weekly. Three teenagers — Becca, Cassie and Izzy — must find a way to stop the witches from gaining retribution before midnight on All Hallow’s Eve. And those teens will be played by none other than Gossip Girl’s Whitney Peak, Dirt’s Lilia Buckingham and American Horror Stories’ Belissa Escobedo.

Hocus Pocus 2 also stars Sam Richardson (The Tomorrow War), Doug Jones (The Shape Of Water), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Froy Gutierrez (Teen Wolf), and Tony Hale (Veep). 

The film is produced by Lynn Harris (King Richard), with Ralph Winter (Hocus Pocus, X-Men franchise), David Kirschner (Hocus Pocus, Chucky), and Adam Shankman (Disenchanted, Hairspray) serving as executive producers.

We don’t know about you, but we’re absolutely ready for another healthy dose of noughties nostalgia. Let the resurrection of a cult classic commence.

Hocus Pocus 2 is now available to stream on Disney+.

Images: Disney Plus