: Directed by Kenny Ortega, the film stars Bette Midler (Winifred), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah), and Kathy Najimy (Mary) as the Sanderson Sisters [29, 31]. The story follows a teenager who accidentally resurrects the trio of witches in modern-day Salem [22].
: Disney has officially confirmed that a third installment is in development [8]. Bette Midler recently shared that she has seen a script and described it as "brilliant" and "incredibly clever" [18, 21]. Production & Cultural Impact Hocus Pocus
: While set in Salem, Massachusetts, the majority of the original film was shot in Los Angeles , using the same soundstage as Mary Poppins [9]. : Directed by Kenny Ortega, the film stars
: Released exclusively on Disney+ on September 30, 2022, the sequel saw the return of the original Sanderson Sisters and Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson [2, 17]. It was well-received by critics for its generational appeal [35]. Bette Midler recently shared that she has seen
The Disney franchise has transformed from a 1993 box office disappointment into a cultural phenomenon and a multi-film series. Originally released in July 1993, the film initially lost Disney approximately $16.5 million during its theatrical run [12]. However, it found new life through annual television broadcasts and home video sales, eventually selling over $1 million in DVDs every October [12]. Franchise Overview
: Beyond films, the brand includes a 2018 book, Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel , and significant merchandise like Funko Pop figures [15].