Is Hocus Pocus 3 happening for Disney+?

Get ready for more misadventures of the Sanderson Sisters. Disney is currently working on a second sequel for the cult favorite Hocus Pocus.

It’s been almost exactly 30 years since Hocus Pocus debuted in 1993. The beloved comedy focused on some kids who accidentally awaken the twisted Sanderson sisters (Bette Middler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker), who plan to sacrifice the children of this town to fuel their power. 

The film was a box office failure, only grossing $45.4 million. However, as soon as it hit home video, it became a favorite and, over the years, would turn into a cult classic played constantly on the Disney Channel and ABC Family/Freeform at Halloween. 

In 2022, after years of rumors and false starts, Disney+ unveiled Hocus Pocus 2, which had Middler, Najimy and Parker reprising their roles with a new cast. According to Disney, it’s their most-watched film, with 2.7 billion minutes of viewing. 

So maybe it should be no shock that Disney is indeed working on a third film. 

What is happening with Hocus Pocus 3?

The news was confirmed by Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, in an interview with the New York Times. It’s assumed that Middler, Najimy and Parker will all return, as all three actresses seemed to enjoy making the sequel and want to continue.

Obviously, there’s no word yet on a plotline or who else may star. It’s also unsure if this will be exclusive to Disney+ or if Disney might decide to release it theatrically. After all, given its huge streaming numbers, it’s possible Hocus Pocus 2 could have been a huge box office hit if it was a theatrical release. 

For now, the production is still in development with the earliest release date late 2024. But it looks like the Sanderson Sisters are ready to spread more twisted magic for a fun Halloween.