The straight-to-Disney+ sequel to the 1993 movie — a theatrical flop ($45 million global on a $28 million budget) that later became a beloved cult phenomenon — debuted on the weekend of Sept. 30 with Nielsen viewership of 2.75 billion minutes viewed.
In October 2022, Disney+ reported Hocus Pocus 2 was the service's most-viewed film premiere in the United States, based on number of hours streamed in the first three days of its release. Disney later reported that Hocus Pocus 2 was the service's most-viewed film.
Hocus Pocus 2 is basically a boiling cauldron of nostalgia, but that's just enough for this belated sequel to cast a reasonably effective spell. Hocus Pocus 2 has its moments, but for fans who've waited years for a sequel to the original, this is mostly a disappointment.
Hocus Pocus 2 is not only the most-watched movie ever on Disney+, but has broken a Nielsen record for a streaming movie in its debut weekend with 2.7 billion minutes views.
The movie's release date in July was a major mistake, as it didn't align with the Halloween theme and faced tough competition from other films. Hocus Pocus received poor reviews from critics upon its release, which contributed to its box office failure, despite its popularity with audiences.
Conveniently overlooking that the Sanderson Sisters actually exploded at the end of the first film, it ignores that fact and brings them back for the exact same story. But without the humour or the thrills. Or characters that we even care for. It's just bland and doesn't evoke any sense of nostalgia or fun.
The straight-to-Disney+ sequel to the 1993 movie — a theatrical flop ($45 million global on a $28 million budget) that later became a beloved cult phenomenon — debuted on the weekend of Sept.
The original movie actor explained why he and several other stars did not return for Hocus Pocus 2, citing the sequel's need to simply move onto a new story involving the Sanderson Sisters. In Murray's case, Thackery Binx also died at the end of the first movie.
Audiences reportedly watched 2.73 billion minutes of the Anne Fletcher–directed film, which given its 103-minute runtime is the equivalent to it being viewed in full around 26 million times over its first three days of release.
Disney boss Sean Bailey confirmed that Hocus Pocus 3 was in the works in June 2023, following the long-awaited sequel being a hit on the streaming service. Hocus Pocus 2's director, Anne Fletcher, is returning for the new movie, according to TheWrap.
Gooch first warned parents about the film on social and then joined CBS' local Texas affiliate Kwtx for a now-viral interview. “A worst case scenario is: you unleash hell on your kids and in your home,” Gooch said. “The whole movie is based on witches harvesting children for blood sacrifices.”
The somber moment is the film's greatest lesson. Winifred asks Becca and her "coven" to do a spell to reunite her with Mary and Sarah. Becca, Izzy and Cassie succeed but sadly, it just means Winifred dies to join her sisters. Winifred lets out one last, "Sisters!" before vanquishing.
Hocus Pocus 2 gets off to a solid start but finds itself lost amidst the fervor of nostalgia and entirely loses its way, focusing on the Sandersons to the point that it is detrimental to the story this film is telling. To see the sequel fail to live up to expectations, Hocus Pocus 2 is now streaming on Disney+.
The witches come after Dani, Max and Allison in a graveyard. They place Dani in an open grave lined with salt. Dani is captured again, and Winifred tries to kill her because Dani called her ugly. To save Dani, Max drinks a potion and asks the witches to take him in her place.
Leonardo DiCaprio had the chance to play the lead role of Max Dennison in 1993 cult classic fantasy comedy movie Hocus Pocus, but ultimately turned it down.
Billy greatly despises Winifred, but he did have a relationship with her when he was alive because they shared one kiss. He put up with it until he is fed up with her obsession and fell in love with her youngest sister Sarah.
Though “Hocus Pocus 2” wraps up Winnie, Mary and Sarah's storyline satisfactorily, the rest of the plot is forgettable. The much anticipated sequel is a gift to the fans; however, after one viewing, they will probably continue seeking out the 1993 film (also streaming on Disney+) every Halloween.
Kenny told Entertainment Weekly: "No, they did not approach me to direct it, which was disappointing, but, of course, in the end, I was very supportive, wanting for Bette, Kathy, and Sarah to have another crack at it. "You let go of things, you surrender, you move on, you don't hold on, you don't have ownership.
Speaking of the story of Hocus Pocus 2, along with the lack of “evil” in the Sanderson Sisters and the nostalgia factors in it, the story had too many subplots and not enough time to properly explore each one of them.
Fletcher (via EW) explained that bringing back Max and Allison would have made it hard for Hocus Pocus 2 to stay on track while exploring so many new figures and storylines, with quick cameos also being decided against.
Disney's proper reading of tea leaves resulted in Hocus Pocus 2 bewitching the masses, with the movie not only the most-watched ever on Disney+ to date, but notching a Nielsen record for a streaming movie in its first weekend with 2.7 billion minutes views.
Arriving nearly 30 years after the original, Hocus Pocus 2 has a slightly better (but still Rotten) review score in Rotten Tomatoes. The original film received bad reviews and was a box office flop, but became a cult classic over the years thanks to numerous seasonal replays on the Disney Channel and home media.
Hocus Pocus 2—starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy in reprisals of their original roles, and now, Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, and Belissa Escobedo—picks up three decades after the events of the first film with even more magic—and slightly better CGI.
