The Return of Hocus Pocus: Every Original Hocus Pocus Reference in Hocus Pocus 2

You have to hand it to Disney; they sure know how to make an excellent sequel that somehow lives up to the original.

Hocus Pocus 2 not only includes most of the original cast, but it even manages to squeeze in all the Hocus Pocus references from the first film, and then some! For example, the opening theme song I Put a Spell on You was sung by none other than Bette Midler herself.

Sanderson Sisters

Hocus Pocus is a film with a special place in the hearts of many. For some, it’s nostalgia. For others, it’s seen as the predecessor to Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. But for me personally, it was my first exposure to this world.

It is the first movie I fell head over heels with, and I’ve watched it every Halloween since then.
Now that Disney has announced a sequel called Hocus Pocus 2, you might have questions about its connection to the original film. Is there any chance they could cast Winona Ryder again? How will Thackery Binx factor into things? When can we watch it?

Allison / Allison’s House

When I first heard that the Disney Channel was making a sequel to the iconic Hocus Pocus, I was skeptical. How could they make a new movie without Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker? But to my surprise, the sequel is surprisingly enjoyable! The kids do a great job as the Sanderson sisters – even if they can’t sing as well as the original cast.

It definitely does not have that same magic feeling as its predecessor, but it’s still worth watching for those who grew up with it.

All Hallow’s Eve / Halloween Town

This year’s new movie is a sequel to the original 1993 Disney film, Hocus Pocus. However, this time around we get three new witches to contend with instead of just one- and they are much more wicked than our favorite Sanderson sisters. Unlike the first film, Hocus Pocus 2 is a comedy-drama with plenty of laughs and scares.

This sequel has all the elements that made us fall in love with the original film: an adorable talking cat, a hilarious sister rivalry, and a kickass performance from Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson. Yet it also has something that no other Halloween movie has had before- diversity!

Max Dennison

I love it when a sequel is as good as the original. The return of Hocus Pocus is everything I dreamed of and more! From the first scene to the last, this movie was full of Easter eggs that only someone who had watched the original movie would understand.

There were so many references that had my mouth wide open. I think my favorite part was when they went back to Hollywood and they renewed their contract with the devil and Max said, I wanna be new again.

This quote was originally said by Mary Sanderson after she turned into her old self again in Hocus Pocus. Another great reference was when Thackery Binx’s cat form appeared at his sister Dani’s birthday party.

Winnie Owens / Winnie Cooper

When I was 13 years old, I watched Disney’s Hocus Pocus for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect. It was a kid’s movie, after all. But it wasn’t just a kid’s movie. It was special.

It was also my introduction to Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy (and not to mention, Thora Birch). A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to watch the sequel, Hocus Pocus 2: Rise of the Elderwitch on opening night at the Hollywood Bowl with a sold-out audience of 1,700 people; it feels good to say that this sequel has surpassed its predecessor in many ways.

Sarah Sanderson & Dan Akroyd (Max Dennison) cameo

In the opening credits of Hocus Pocus 2, Sarah Sanderson (Bette Midler) and Dan Akroyd (Max Dennison) make a cameo appearance. This is a reference to their roles as witches in the original 1993 film. In the sequel, it is revealed that they were Max’s parents and they died when he was a baby.

Their motherly instincts kick in when they see Max being chased by an evil ghoul cat, causing them to blast it away with magic. The two witches then join Max on his quest to rescue his sister from Thackery Binx (Jason Alexander).

Bette Midler & Kathy Najimy (Bette Sanderson & Mary Sanderson) cameo

In the first movie, Mary Sanderson and her sister are twins. In Hocus Pocus 2, they are not. They have a completely different backstory, but they both still have a really strong connection to the Sanderson family home.

In the first movie, Bette Midler’s character is known as Winnie Sanderson (Winifred), and Kathy Najimy’s character is known as Mary Sanderson (Mary). In this new one, their names are reversed!

In the original film when Sarah Jessica Parker was trying to get their souls back from Max Dennison she said I’m going to need your help kids, referencing how it took 3 kids to defeat them in the first film.

Fat Charlie (Charlie Daniels, he’s mentioned as such!) cameo

One detail of the film’s production that was really exciting for me was how Quentin Tarantino invited his pal and frequent collaborator, Billy Bob Thornton, to play an insurance company auditor. Who else could be more appropriate to evaluate the risk levels of these three witch sisters than the dangerous and mischievous convict from FIVE EASY PIECES?

Overall, HOCUS POCUS 2: A SPOOKY WITCHY RETURN offers a worthy addition to the original flick for all ages.

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