Disney Confirms Hocus Pocus 3 in Early Development

Disney has confirmed that a third installment in the Hocus Pocus franchise, titled Hocus Pocus 3, is in early development, with original stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy set to reprise their roles as the Sanderson sisters.

The project, first announced in 2023 by then-Disney executive Sean Bailey, faced delays after Bailey's departure from the studio in 2024 and challenges over salary negotiations for the lead actors. Those issues have now been resolved, allowing development to proceed under Disney Live Action Studios, overseen by executive Jessica Virtue. Unlike the 2022 sequel, which debuted exclusively on the Disney+ streaming service, Hocus Pocus 3 is being planned with a theatrical release component, according to reports.

The original Hocus Pocus, released in 1993, followed teenager Max Dennison and his friends as they accidentally resurrected 17th-century witches Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson in modern-day Salem on Halloween night. The film struggled at the box office, earning less than $50 million worldwide and holding a 42 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Over time, repeated television airings and home video sales transformed it...