Hocus Pocus 3: Why A 2024 Release Date Is Impossible (And When You Can Expect The Sanderson Sisters' Return)

The highly anticipated third installment of the beloved Disney franchise, Hocus Pocus 3, has been officially greenlit, sending fans of the Sanderson Sisters into a frenzy. However, as of today, December 18, 2025, the most burning question—"Is the Hocus Pocus 3 release date in 2024?"—has a definitive, though perhaps disappointing, answer. Despite the film being confirmed, all current production timelines and official statements point to a significant delay, making a 2024 premiere highly improbable.

The good news is that the core magic is confirmed to return: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are all set to reprise their iconic roles. While the Black Flame Candle has been lit once more by Walt Disney Pictures, the film is currently in the crucial pre-production phase, with the script being finalized and the cast schedule being locked down. This deep dive will analyze the production timeline, reveal the confirmed returning cast, and explore the most exciting plot rumors for the next chapter in the Salem saga.

The Official Status and Estimated Hocus Pocus 3 Release Date

The dream of a Halloween 2024 release for Hocus Pocus 3 is, unfortunately, a ghost of a chance. While Disney confirmed the sequel shortly after the monumental success of Hocus Pocus 2 in 2022, the project is moving through the development process deliberately. Major stars like Bette Midler are in high demand, and coordinating the schedules of all three original Sanderson Sisters—Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy—is a logistical challenge that takes time.

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Why a 2024 Release is Not Happening

The primary reason for the delay is the current stage of production. As of the latest updates, a finalized script is still being reviewed by the principal cast and creative team. Filming has not yet begun. To understand the necessary timeline, we can look at the production of its predecessor, Hocus Pocus 2:

• Hocus Pocus 2 Filming Start: October 2021
• Hocus Pocus 2 Filming Wrap: January 2022
• Hocus Pocus 2 Release Date: September 30, 2022

The sequel required a four-month filming period and approximately eight months of post-production (editing, visual effects, music, etc.) to meet its Halloween season premiere on Disney+. If Hocus Pocus 3 were to be released in October 2024, filming would have needed to begin in late 2023 or early 2024 at the absolute latest. Since filming has not commenced, a 2025 release is the earliest realistic window.

The Earliest Likely Release Window: Halloween 2025

Based on the typical production cycle for a major Disney+ film with significant visual effects, the most probable release date is Fall 2025. If production begins in early 2025 (e.g., March or April), it could wrap by mid-summer, allowing the necessary 8-10 months for post-production to target the highly lucrative Halloween season in September or October 2025. This allows the creative team, including returning Director Anne Fletcher and Writer Jen D'Angelo, to deliver a high-quality product without rushing the process.

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The Confirmed and Rumored Cast: Old Magic Meets the New Coven

The heart of the Hocus Pocus franchise lies with the three wicked witches of Salem, and their return is the most celebrated confirmation for the third film.

The Immortal Sanderson Sisters

The iconic trio is officially set to return, ensuring the magic—and the musical numbers—will be as potent as ever. Their chemistry is the undisputed foundation of the franchise, and their willingness to reprise the roles is a major win for Disney.

• Bette Midler as Winifred "Winnie" Sanderson: The leader, the brains, and the one with the signature buck teeth and powerful voice.
• Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson: The ditzy, seductive witch known for her haunting siren song.
• Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson: The loyal, slightly goofy sister with a penchant for sniffing out children.

The New Coven: Becca, Izzy, and Cassie

A major development in Hocus Pocus 2 was the introduction of a new coven of teenage witches who accidentally brought the sisters back. Their story arc, particularly the revelation of Becca's magical lineage, is crucial for the future of the franchise. Their return is highly anticipated, though not yet officially confirmed by Disney for HP3.

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• Whitney Peak as Becca: The powerful new witch who holds the key to the next generation of magic.
• Belissa Escobedo as Izzy: Becca's quirky best friend and loyal ally.
• Lilia Buckingham as Cassie: The former friend of Becca and Izzy who eventually joins their side.

Will Dani Dennison and Max Return?

One of the biggest fan requests is the return of the original 1993 film's protagonists, Max Dennison and Dani Dennison, played by Omri Katz and Thora Birch, respectively. While Katz made a cameo in HP2, Thora Birch's schedule prevented her from appearing. Birch has stated she is "super open" to returning, and given the nature of the third film, a full-circle moment involving the original Dennison family and the new coven would be a massive thematic payoff. The potential return of the beloved cat, Thackery Binx, in some form is also a strong LSI entity that fans hope to see addressed.

Hocus Pocus 3 Plot Rumors and Speculation

The ending of Hocus Pocus 2 left several loose threads that the third movie is expected to weave together. The biggest question is how the Sanderson Sisters can return after their final demise, but the creative team has already provided major clues.

The Revenge Plot and the Witch Mother

The writer of Hocus Pocus 2, Jen D'Angelo, has hinted that the third installment could involve a revenge plot. The sisters are magical entities, and their return, even after turning to dust, is always possible in the world of Hocus Pocus. A major element that needs resolution is the mysterious Witch Mother (played by Hannah Waddingham in HP2), who gave the young Winifred Sanderson the powerful Book of Spells.

The Witch Mother's Role: The Witch Mother is an ancient, powerful entity whose full story was only glimpsed. She is the source of the sisters' power, and the plot of Hocus Pocus 3 could center on her quest to reclaim her power, or for the new coven—Becca, Izzy, and Cassie—to permanently defeat her influence over Salem. This would elevate the stakes from a simple resurrection to a battle for the soul of all witchcraft.

The New Coven’s Journey and Legacy

The film is expected to focus heavily on Becca, Izzy, and Cassie as they navigate their newfound powers. Becca is now a full-fledged witch, and the sequel is likely to explore her training, the limits of her abilities, and the possibility of her becoming a protector of Salem against any future threats, whether from the Sanderson Sisters or the Witch Mother. The dynamic between the original trio (Winifred, Sarah, Mary) and the new coven will be the central conflict, moving the franchise beyond merely repeating the "resurrection" trope. This focus on legacy and succession will be key to the film's topical authority and long-term success on Disney+.

The Importance of Salem, Massachusetts

While Hocus Pocus 2 was primarily filmed in Rhode Island, the spirit of Salem, Massachusetts, remains the essential backdrop. The town's connection to the 17th-century Salem Witch Trials provides the historical context for the sisters' original curse. Expect the third film to once again utilize the iconic Halloween season setting, with its festive atmosphere and spooky folklore, to ground the magical chaos.

Conclusion: The Spell is Cast, But Patience is Required

While the news that the Hocus Pocus 3 release date is not in 2024 may dampen the spirits of some fans, the confirmation of the original Sanderson Sisters' return, the involvement of the core creative team (Anne Fletcher, Jen D'Angelo), and the compelling new direction involving Becca's coven promise a magical third chapter. The necessary production timeline strongly suggests a premiere in the Fall of 2025 on Disney+. The wait will be long, but for a franchise that took nearly 30 years to get a sequel, a two-to-three-year wait for the third installment is a small price to pay to see Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson ride their brooms—or vacuum cleaners—once more.