Halloween Movies 3 Witches: Core Facts and Plot
The 1993 film Hocus Pocus centers on three witches, the Sanderson sisters, resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts. The trio, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, seeks to steal the life force of children to maintain their youth. The film is a staple of Halloween movies 3 witches themes and is frequently cited in rankings of the best seasonal horror comedies. It is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Forbes reports the development of a third film with a new director and fresh witch characters, expanding the franchise beyond the original trio.
The franchise has generated significant box office returns and merchandise revenue since the original release. The film's plot follows Max Dennison, Dani Dennison, and Allison Watts as they attempt to stop the witches before sunrise on Halloween night. The Sanderson sisters are defeated by a combined effort using a cursed book and a black flame candle. The film's enduring popularity is measured by consistent annual television airings and high streaming viewership numbers on Disney+. Box Office Mojo tracks the original film's lifetime gross, which has grown substantially through re-releases.
Cast, Characters, and the Three Witches
Bette Midler portrays Winifred Sanderson, the leader of the three witches who is obsessed with reclaiming her spell book. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Sarah Sanderson, the witch who uses her voice to lure children. Kathy Najimy plays Mary Sanderson, the witch with a heightened sense of smell. The film's ensemble cast also includes Omri Katz as Max Dennison and Vinessa Shaw as Allison Watts. IMDb provides the full cast and character credits for the 1993 original.
The sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, released in 2022, introduces new witches and a different storyline set in 1653 Salem. The film features Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy returning to their roles as the resurrected Sanderson sisters. New characters include Becca, Izzy, and Cassie, three teenage girls who accidentally resurrect the witches. Disney+ hosts the official synopsis and streaming details for the sequel, which was produced by Walt Disney Pictures.
Streaming, Production, and Franchise Status
Both Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 are available for streaming exclusively on Disney+. The platform reports the films as consistent top performers during the Halloween season. The production companies include Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group. The franchise is managed by Disney's content division, with no theatrical releases for the sequels. SEC filings from Disney detail the company's direct-to-streaming content strategy for major franchises.
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