When asked to conjure up the “ most popular Halloween movie of all time,” Google will present you with three faces: those of Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson (as played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) in 1993’s Hocus Pocus. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the film about three resurrected 17th-century witches is a beloved seasonal treat for good reason. It’s a reliable film the whole family can watch (and actually enjoy). It’s also a tradition that’s hard to avoid—it makes a generous 30 appearances on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween this year. If you’ve realized you most relate to Kathy Najimy’s Mary (motivated by food and nail-biting your way through life), it’s time to represent the sister with the best hair. a b "ABC Family's "13 Nights of Halloween 2011" Scares Up Record Crowd". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 6, 2011 . Retrieved November 3, 2011.

Nothing says Halloween is here like the first Hocus Pocus viewing of the year (April, in our case). Whether you’ve been watching the cult classic over and over since 1993 or just now jumping on the vacuum wagon, it’s time to break out your best Hocus Pocus costume from the dusty trunk it’s been trapped in for centuries. a b Nolfi, Joey. " 'Hocus Pocus 2' honors Garry and Penny Marshall in meta Easter Egg scene". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 9, 2022. Pioneer Village, a recreation of early-colonial Salem, was used for the opening scenes set in 1693. [16] Other locations included Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, where Max is accosted by Ice and Jay, the Old Town Hall in Salem, where the town Halloween party takes place, and Phillips Elementary School, where the witches are trapped in a kiln. The exterior for Max and Dani's house is a private residence on Ocean Avenue in Salem. [16] Release [ edit ] In October 2019, a sequel which was going to be developed as a Disney+ exclusive film was announced, with a screenplay which was written by Jen D'Angelo. [68] Midler, Parker, and Najimy all confirmed their interest in reprising their roles. [69] In March 2020, Adam Shankman signed on to direct. [70] [71] In May 2021, it was confirmed that Midler, Parker, and Najimy would reprise their roles as the Sanderson Sisters and it was announced that the film would be released in 2022. [72] [73] The film was released on September 30, 2022. Hocus Pocus 3 was announced to be in development as of June 4, 2023.Various rewrites were made to the script to make the film more comedic and made two of its young protagonists into teenagers; however, production was stalled several times until 1992, when Bette Midler expressed interest in the script and the project immediately went forward. [11] Midler, who plays the central antagonist of the film (originally written for Cloris Leachman), [11] is quoted as saying that Hocus Pocus "was the most fun I'd had in my career up to that point". [ citation needed] Casting [ edit ] Samantha Highfill (October 18, 2018). "Bette Midler joins Freeform's Hocus Pocus reunion special". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018 . Retrieved October 18, 2018. Disney+'s 'Werewolf by Night' Leads a Horror-Filled Streaming Movie Ranker | Chart". October 14, 2022 . Retrieved October 23, 2022. Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Down 'Hocus Pocus' And 'More Money Than I Ever Dreamed Of' ". Huffington Post. February 12, 2014. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016 . Retrieved December 1, 2016. Leonardo DiCaprio Reveals What Movie He Turned Down Even After Being Offered "More Money Than I Ever Dreamed Of" ". E! Online. February 12, 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016 . Retrieved December 1, 2016.

Celebrate the season of the Salem witches (and the release of Hocus Pocus 2 on September 30th) by planning a group costume with your two besties and dress up as the three Sanderson sisters. Or, ride your broom solo as Dani or undead Billy.Rude, Mey (October 19, 2020). "Bette Midler Teases Sanderson Sisters Reunion in Hocus Pocus Special". The Advocate. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020 . Retrieved October 29, 2020. Sneider, Jeff (March 4, 2020). " 'Hairspray' Helmer Adam Shankman to Direct 'Hocus Pocus 2' for Disney+". Collider. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020 . Retrieved March 4, 2020. Winifred Sanderson costumes consist of an emerald, purple, and gold gown, a matching emerald cape, and Winnie’s iconic orange curls. You’ll be casting spells in no time. Accio coffee! To recreate her look, you’ll need a pink corset with red lacy sleeves and a sheer long red and purple skirt.