Disney is heading back to Salem. Nearly three decades after the Sanderson sisters first rode vacuum cleaners into pop culture history, Hocus Pocus 3 is officially in early development with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy all set to return, according to Deadline.
The third film is being developed by Disney Live Action Studios and would mark another return for the trio behind Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson. Deadline reported that Disney is considering a theatrical release this time after Hocus Pocus 2 debuted directly on Disney+ in 2022 and became one of the platform’s biggest streaming hits during Halloween season.
For fans who grew up quoting “Amok! Amok! Amok!” every October, the announcement feels a little like someone lit the Black Flame Candle again.
A Return To Salem
Plot details remain secret for now, but Deadline reported that the project had stalled for years because of negotiations involving the returning stars. Those issues have reportedly been resolved, clearing the way for development to move forward.
The original Hocus Pocus opened in 1993 and followed three witches resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night after a teenager accidentally brought them back from the dead. The movie struggled at the box office during its original release but slowly became a cult favorite through cable reruns, VHS rentals and annual October marathons. Today, it is one of Disney’s most recognizable Halloween properties.
The sequel arrived in 2022 and picked up 29 years after the first film. It introduced a new group of teenagers while bringing back the Sanderson sisters for another run through Salem. Fans immediately began asking whether Disney would complete the trilogy.
Deadline reported that discussions about a third film first surfaced publicly in 2023 under then-Disney film executive Sean Bailey. After Bailey left Disney in 2024, development slowed down and the project quietly disappeared from public conversation for a while.
“Come, Little Children…”
Now it appears the cauldron is bubbling again.
There is already speculation among longtime fans about who else could return. Deadline noted that former cast members including Thora Birch and James Marsden have previously expressed interest in revisiting the franchise. Neither has been confirmed for the new film.
If Disney does bring back more original cast members, expect fans to react like someone just handed Binx his human form back.
For Disney, the timing makes sense. Nostalgia-driven sequels continue to perform well, especially around recognizable seasonal brands. Halloween remains a major streaming draw every fall, and Hocus Pocus has become part of that yearly tradition for many families.
No release date has been announced. Disney has not publicly commented beyond Deadline’s reporting because the project is still in early development.