‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Is Officially in the Works, According to Disney Executive

Looks like the Sanderson sisters will be putting a spell on us for a third time! In a brand-new New York Times profile of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production President Sean Bailey, it was revealed that Hocus Pocus 3 is already in the works.

In the interview, Bailey discussed many of the latest projects at Disney, including the new Little Mermaid live-action remake, on which he worked closely. But what grabbed our attention was a passage that arrived toward the end of the profile, which read: “Yes, Hocus Pocus 3 is happening. ([Bailey's] division makes two or three big-budget films annually for release in theaters and three modestly budgeted movies for Disney+.)”

This news arrives a little over eight months after the studio released Hocus Pocus 2. While the original Hocus Pocus came out in 1993, the film had gained a strong cult following over the years, leading to the production of a sequel, which was released exclusively to Disney+ on Sept. 30, 2022.

In October of the same year, Disney+ reported that Hocus Pocus 2 was the biggest film premiere ever for the streaming site, based on “hours streamed in the first three days of its release.” According to Nielsen, the film clocked a whopping 2.7 billion minutes viewed in its first weekend.

When Hocus Pocus 2 debuted, we gave the film 4 stars here at PureWow, writing, “Hocus Pocus 2 will please fans of the original, as well as any newcomers who may have recently discovered the ’90s hit. And while it may tread the same ground as the first installment, it provides enough laughs to keep viewers entertained, thanks to its winning leading ladies and a few surprises along the way.”

Other than this small NYT tidbit, no other details regarding Hocus Pocus 3 have been revealed. So it's unclear which of the stars will be returning, or what the plot will be.

However, back in September 2022, the three main stars—Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy—said they would all be interested in a third installment. “If there was a third [Hocus Pocus], of course, I’d sign on, but I don't know how,” Midler said. “I can’t imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary and our relationship.”

Meanwhile, Najimy said that she’d “never say never” to another film, while Parker added, “Of course, I’d be happy to have a conversation [for a third film], it just depends on what Kathy and Bette want!”

We *need* this sequel as soon as possible.

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