The Sanderson Sisters appear poised for another attempt to coax their way into the land of the living as Disney confirms that Hocus Pocus 3 is officially in the works.
Though development of the threequel was confirmed in 2023, shortly after the huge launch of Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+, little has been said about the project since. That legacy sequel about a trio of 17th-century witches who get resurrected on Halloween night and scheme to steal the lives of the town's children, thus ensuring their own eternal presence, was a juggernaut for the streaming service, amassing over 2.7 billion minutes viewed in its opening weekend.
While there was some controversy surrounding the second film's straight-to-streaming model, early reports suggest plans for a theatrical distribution component this time around. The move shouldn't be much of a shock. Experts believe the first sequel could have grossed as much as $200 million had Disney not restricted the title to their exclusive streaming platform.
While plot details are under wraps, franchise leads Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy will return to reprise their beloved roles in what many expect will be the trilogy's closing film. But this is Disney, so don't be surprised if the script expands on the IP to allow for future reincarnations that don't specifically involve the Sanderson Sisters.
That said, if this proves to be the franchise's final installment, it would be smart to play to the fans and bring back some familiar faces. Though neither Thora Birch nor James Marsden appeared in the sequel, both have spoken openly about wanting to return to the series.
With the film still in its infancy, no release date has been announced, though fans are hoping it won't take another thirty years this time around.
