HOCUS POCUS SETS THEATRICAL RE-RELEASE DATE

Hocus Pocus is heading back to theaters. The fan-favorite 1993 fantasy movie will return to the big screen for a special one-night engagement in October.

Fandango recently asked fans on X if they were "Ready for the Black Flame Candle to be lit again?" before announcing that Hocus Pocus would return to theaters on Oct. 18, 2024. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the PG-rated movie follows teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) as he inadvertently resurrects a trio of witches known as the Sanderson Sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) on Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts.

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While Hocus Pocus was not a box office success during its initial release, the movie has since become a cult classic thanks to annual airings on Disney Channel and Freeform throughout October. Its cult classic status ultimately led to Disney finally greenlighting a sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, with Midler, Parker, and Najimy reprising their roles, after nearly 20 years in development. The sequel was released on Disney+ in September 2022, where it became the #1 film to premiere on the streamer domestically to date. Hocus Pocus 2 drew in more than 2.7 billion minutes of viewing from Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2022.

Is Hocus Pocus 3 Happening?

Despite the Hocus Pocus brand being stronger than ever, Disney has not made efforts to get a third entry in the franchise into production. In July 2024, Midler shared that she had not "seen the script" for Hocus Pocus 3, although she had "heard rumblings," noting that Disney "ought to hurry because time is not just marching; it's barreling to the finish line. Get us while weâre still breathing, I mean, God!" The actor's comments came a few months after screenwriter Jen DâAngelo confirmed that she was working on the threequel's script. While plot details remain under wraps, D'Angelo shared that Hannah Waddinghamâs character, the mother witch, will be back and receive further development.

Original star Omri Katz has also expressed his eagerness to reprise his role as Max Dennison in Hocus Pocus 3. Katz, who, along with fellow original cast members Vinessa Shaw and Thora Birch, was not brought back for Hocus Pocus 2, shared in June 2023 that it "would be an honor to return, hopefully with some of my fellow castmates, and make a fun addition to the franchise!"

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As fans wait for Hocus Pocus 3, they can turn to LEGO to revisit and play in the world of the fantasy franchise. The iconic toy company released a set based on the 1993 movie last year that allows fans to build the Sanderson Sisters' cottage. The impressive 2,316-piece project comes with six minifigures, including all three of the Sanderson Sisters, Max Dennison, Dani Dennison, and Allison Watts, as well as a Thackery Binx (in cat form) figure. However, fans will have to fork over $230 to purchase the detailed LEGO set, which is intended for ages 18+.