It appears that Hocus Pocus 3 is steadily moving forward—though we still don’t have a release date. In a recent interview, Sarah Jessica Parker addressed the film and suggested that Disney remains interested in continuing the project.
“There’s nothing new to announce except that we’d love to make it,” the Sex and the City star told Andy Cohen on a recent episode of his late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live. “We’ve been talking about it.”
The original 1993 movie was directed by Kenny Ortega and written by Neil Cuthbert and horror legend Mick Garris—a fun piece of horror trivia for fans. The comedy quickly grew into a cultural touchstone for 90s kids worldwide. It tells the story of three wicked sister witches who, after being resurrected by an outcast on Halloween night, target a town full of children—and their youth.
Those witches were portrayed by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Parker, all of whom came back for the 2022 sequel Hocus Pocus 2.
In fact, the third film was officially confirmed back in 2023 by Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios motion picture production. In an interview with The New York Times, Bailey also said that director Anne Fletcher and writer Jen D’Angelo would return for Hocus Pocus 3.
Even so, progress has clearly been slow. Last year, Midler mentioned she had “heard rumblings” about the project, but nothing was set in stone. “If they’re going to do it, they should do it soon—time isn’t just marching on,” she said on the QVC+ talk show Busy This Week in July 2024. “Time is racing toward the finish line. Bring us back while we’re still breathing, for goodness’ sake!”
Given that I doubt anyone wants a Hocus Pocus film without the Sanderson Sisters, Bette makes a fair point.
