The Sanderson Sisters Return to Salem in First 'Hocus Pocus 2' Teaser
The Sanderson Sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) are back in town! Disney+ has released the first teaser trailer of the highly anticipated sequel to Hocus Pocus that will land on the streaming service on September 30th. This sequel has been 29 years in the making and it’s proof that some legends never die.
Becca (Whitney Peak) and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) are two high schoolers in Salem, Massachusetts. The movie begins with Becca’s sixteenth birthday and her yearly tradition with Izzy. The two watch scary movies and recite witch incantations in the forest. In years past, their birthday ritual was only fun and games. This year, however, Becca and Izzy have awoken something beyond their imaginations. The infamous Black Flame Candle is lit once again. The 17th century Sanderson Sisters have been resurrected and they are looking for revenge.
The original Hocus Pocus premiered in theatres in July of 1993 and was considered a box office failure despite recouping its budget. However, the movie gained cult status because it plays many times over the course of the Halloween season on Disney Channel and Freeform. Every year, the sales of Hocus Pocus DVDs, Blu-Rays, and digital copies see a spike around October. Despite the film’s rocky beginnings, Hocus Pocus has become a certified Hallowen staple.
Hocus Pocus 2 would not be the same without Midler, Parker, and Najimy. Their iconic portrayals of the Sanderson Sisters are what made the original Hocus Pocus so enduring. While the teaser trailer only gives fans a brief glimpse of the trio, it’s clear that Midler, Parker, and Najimy are thrilled to be back in those iconic dresses. In the original movie, the witches need the souls of children to keep them young. It seems like Hocus Pocus 2 will have more of the same comedic hijinks.
Peak and Escobedo are two newcomers to the world of Hocus Pocus. Little is known about their characters, but the teaser implies that Becca might have more in common with the Sanderson Sisters than she realizes. Peak is not new to revivals and reboots. She had a main role in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and was one of the leads of HBO Max’s Gossip Girl. Escobedo will star in the upcoming Blue Beetle film in the DC Extended Universe for Warner Bros and has previously starred in American Horror Story.
Hocus Pocus 2 seems to be fully leaning into the comedic absurdity of the first film. Actors like Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Sam Richardson (Veep), and Tony Hale (Arrested Development) make up some of the supporting cast. Ginger Minj, Kornbread Jeté, and Kahmora Hall, drag queens from RuPaul's Drag Race, will portray drag versions of the Sanderson Sisters.
Behind the camera is director Anne Fletcher who is no stranger to comedies. She directed romantic comedies like The Proposal and 27 Dresses. Most recently, she helmed Netflix’s Dumplin’. Before Fletcher began a career as a director, she was a dancer and choreographer who worked closely with Adam Shankman (an executive producer for Hocus Pocus 2). Writer Jen D'Angelo has credits on Workaholics, Cougar Town, and Young Rock.