The new trailer for Hocus Pocus 2 just dropped and it's bound to get countless people of a certain age group all hyped up. Fans have been waiting for a proper follow-up for decades now, and it looks as though it hasn't been in vain. But the fans weren't the only ones excited about the idea.
Now, eager devotees of the 1993 cult Halloween classic Hocus Pocus finally have something new to look forward to as yet another new trailer for Hocus Pocus 2 heralds the return of certain fan-favorite baddies. Naturally, the Disney preview offers a look at plenty of new characters, including big names like Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham and The Afterparty's Sam Richardson. But the real draw comes from the highly-anticipated comeback of the original film's delightfully villainous trio, and the stars behind them appear to be having the time of their lives.
Walt Disney Studios posted the trailer on YouTube, offering longtime fans and newcomers alike an enticing glimpse at the upcoming sequel. Waddingham can be seen playing a mysterious witch who appears to set off the events of the film far in the past. Later, Richardson shows up during modern times as Gilbert, the owner of a magic shop in Salem. But shortly after he gives a familiar-looking candle to the new teenage youngsters driving the story this time around, they light it and appear to inadvertently summon the 3 witches who terrorized the town in the first film.
As expected, Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker have made their triumphant return as the witchy Sanderson sisters, and they look just as excited as the fans to be back. Hocus Pocus may have some plot holes, but it's a classic for a reason, and that enthusiasm is definitely part of it. Audiences who remember the original movie will recall the sequel hook in which Winifred Sanderson's (Midler) grotesque spellbook opened up its eye after the witches appeared to have disintegrated into dust. The 3 actresses have repeatedly expressed their own desire to reprise their roles one day, and it looks like that tease has finally been fulfilled. As a helpful connecting line, the spellbook itself even makes an appearance in the trailer. The final shot even shows Doug Jones returning as the friendly zombie Billy Butcherson, offering even more nostalgic goodness.
Even as recently as 2020, Hocus Pocus has proved its enduring popularity. It's a spooky classic that serves as a relic of one very specific and oddly comforting movie genre. Back during its time, light-hearted fantasy/horror films seemed a dime a dozen, and Hocus Pocus is arguably the most prominent of them all. Even though it ironically flopped during its original release, the years since have been abundantly kind to it, and its fandom continues to thrive to this day.
Those going into Hocus Pocus 2 expecting some poignant tale of drama and other very serious things will probably leave disappointed. But based on this trailer, anyone who wants more of that goofy magic that the '90s produced in bulk will likely have some really good times ahead of them.
Hocus Pocus 2 will release on September 30th, 2022, exclusively on Disney Plus.
Source: Walt Disney Studios/YouTube