Two young women accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world.Two young women accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world.Two young women accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world.
- Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
- 2 wins & 16 nominations total
Juju Journey Brener
- Young Sarah
- (as Juju Brener)
Summary
Reviewers say 'Hocus Pocus 2' is appreciated for nostalgic elements, the return of the Sanderson sisters, and fun performances. Callbacks and new songs are enjoyed, though humor is sometimes criticized as too kid-friendly or forced. The film's exploration of sisterhood and emotional moments resonate, yet it faces criticism for a weak plot, underdeveloped new characters, and a lack of the original's magic. Despite mixed reviews, it is seen as a fun, if imperfect, sequel.
Featured reviews
I don't understand how fans of the first film would want to trash this.
The story offers a mix of prequel information, first film nostalgia and a decent revival of our characters. It isn't without flaws but after nearly thirty years, I found the plot interesting and fun to watch. The characters are older but still gave nice performances and the new characters weren't awful.
Most sequels fail to live up to the original film and you know this before sitting down but that doesn't mean they aren't fun to watch. I personally liked seeing the characters brought back and can honestly say that I enjoyed the experience. In my opinion, had the 1993 original not been made, simply cutting the references to it would've made this a fine stand alone film.
To each their own.
The story offers a mix of prequel information, first film nostalgia and a decent revival of our characters. It isn't without flaws but after nearly thirty years, I found the plot interesting and fun to watch. The characters are older but still gave nice performances and the new characters weren't awful.
Most sequels fail to live up to the original film and you know this before sitting down but that doesn't mean they aren't fun to watch. I personally liked seeing the characters brought back and can honestly say that I enjoyed the experience. In my opinion, had the 1993 original not been made, simply cutting the references to it would've made this a fine stand alone film.
To each their own.
I'll try my best to not spoil it...
It was a fun film, has nothing on the original sadly.
Referring to the 1993 movie with someone in the film watching the original! How's that possible!
I feel they tried too hard here at times Some of the jokes just over the top As much as the sets looked good, they also looked fake I feel kids will like it but the long time fans will enjoy it just not love it as much as the original
Lots of links to the first and hooks to match them up, but 3 key people missing with no real mention yet the evens were.
As I said it's fun, very "camp" can I say that?
I didn't have much hope for it and I was right for that, I also predicted the store for the main character
Also, the story of where Book came from was changed for this film
Will I watch it again, yeah of course and in time it more than likely might become a classic no brain power needed movie.
But the original will never be beaten that's for sure.
Disney just don't do a Ghostbuster on us now... I feel that could happen
As as for the 2 cut scenes.
It was a fun film, has nothing on the original sadly.
Referring to the 1993 movie with someone in the film watching the original! How's that possible!
I feel they tried too hard here at times Some of the jokes just over the top As much as the sets looked good, they also looked fake I feel kids will like it but the long time fans will enjoy it just not love it as much as the original
Lots of links to the first and hooks to match them up, but 3 key people missing with no real mention yet the evens were.
As I said it's fun, very "camp" can I say that?
I didn't have much hope for it and I was right for that, I also predicted the store for the main character
Also, the story of where Book came from was changed for this film
Will I watch it again, yeah of course and in time it more than likely might become a classic no brain power needed movie.
But the original will never be beaten that's for sure.
Disney just don't do a Ghostbuster on us now... I feel that could happen
As as for the 2 cut scenes.
I was really excited to see this and shouldn't be shocked it's not good but alas, here we are. It's so hard to get through.
Two unlikeable teen narcs bring back the witches who immediately burst into... song and dance?! Whoever made this remake failed to realize they only sang in the first film because they are mistaken for a musical act and use the stage/ band accompaniment to cast a spell on the town. "Dance until you die!" It's dark!
In this, they are singing and dancing happy music in the middle of the woods. We hear a full band but they are alone. For no reason. This is not in their character. Make it make sense.
The product placement is palpable. Sponsored by Walgreens. We're supposed to believe they don't know what teenagers look like? They already came back in the 90s and knew Max was a teenager.
Also- Billy was my favorite character in the original and in this, they give him a weird Irish accent? When no one else has one? What's happening. Why ruin a classic?
Two unlikeable teen narcs bring back the witches who immediately burst into... song and dance?! Whoever made this remake failed to realize they only sang in the first film because they are mistaken for a musical act and use the stage/ band accompaniment to cast a spell on the town. "Dance until you die!" It's dark!
In this, they are singing and dancing happy music in the middle of the woods. We hear a full band but they are alone. For no reason. This is not in their character. Make it make sense.
The product placement is palpable. Sponsored by Walgreens. We're supposed to believe they don't know what teenagers look like? They already came back in the 90s and knew Max was a teenager.
Also- Billy was my favorite character in the original and in this, they give him a weird Irish accent? When no one else has one? What's happening. Why ruin a classic?
Not bad but super lackluster compared to the original!
It lacked sincerity and feeling. In fact, I didn't feel much of anything throughout except frustration. Whereas the first one made me laugh and cry the whole way through, this one was really ho-hum, except for the very end- and I only laughed once!
Like I said, there is a feeling of insincerity to this one. It's basically a parody of itself, whereas the original feels like a genuine classic. And a lot of the stuff in this felt forced and just annoying.
Also, no Max, Dani, or Allison in this one, and I was really looking forward to their return!
Glad I watched, but overall, a letdown and super lame.
UPDATE: Okay, it's only lame in comparison to the original, but not lame overall. I just can't stay mad at a Hocus Pocus movie- anything with these 3 sisters is cool with me, and I hope there are more sequels!
It lacked sincerity and feeling. In fact, I didn't feel much of anything throughout except frustration. Whereas the first one made me laugh and cry the whole way through, this one was really ho-hum, except for the very end- and I only laughed once!
Like I said, there is a feeling of insincerity to this one. It's basically a parody of itself, whereas the original feels like a genuine classic. And a lot of the stuff in this felt forced and just annoying.
Also, no Max, Dani, or Allison in this one, and I was really looking forward to their return!
Glad I watched, but overall, a letdown and super lame.
UPDATE: Okay, it's only lame in comparison to the original, but not lame overall. I just can't stay mad at a Hocus Pocus movie- anything with these 3 sisters is cool with me, and I hope there are more sequels!
Took sheer will power to get through the first 10 minutes it was like watching a middle school play. The 3 young witches were acting like they were waiting for us audience members to clap for how "cute" they were acting and it wasn't cute. So goofy! In a bad way. Terrible over the top acting!!! Everyone was trying way too hard. The first one felt grounded in reality within the fantasy of it, we could relate to the characters and it is such a great comfort movie I have watched every Halloween. This movie belongs at the bottom of the trash bin in what I would label as generic. All the actors were acting with a capital A! It's trying way too hard. The one playing the boyfriend, Froy something was so animatedly over acting it was painful. You may like this film if you're of the brainless and passive influencer crowd, but I don't know how a fan of the original could love this. I feel violated. Casting and films today are all about cheap optics and not good story telling.
Did you know
- TriviaOn the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum (2018), Doug Jones said that the wig he wears as Billy Butcherson in this movie is the same one he wore in the first movie.
- GoofsGilbert states that as a child, he witnessed the climatic finale of the first movie, but in said film, all the children of Salem were under Sarah's trance at this point, marching towards the Sanderson cottage. Gilbert is clearly capable of performing magic and therefore, it's possible, he may be immune, like the Sanderson Sisters.
- Quotes
Winifred Sanderson: [from trailer] Lock up your children! Yes, Salem, we're back!
- Crazy creditsSPOILER: There is a scene after the closing credits: Cobweb the black cat jumps onto a shelf next to a box containing a second Black Flame candle.
- ConnectionsEdited from Hocus Pocus (1993)
- How long is Hocus Pocus 2?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Abracadabra 2
- Filming locations
- Newport Rhode Island, USA(Washington Square, aka: Eisenhower Park and Touro Street)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $100,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.20 : 1
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