Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Campy but entertaining sequel has some violence, scares.
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Why Age 10+?
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Hocus Pocus 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 48 parent reviews
Parents say the sequel fails to live up to the original, with many expressing disappointment over its lack of engaging storytelling, characters, and humor, while noting that it feels overly lighthearted and campy. Some reviews appreciate the diverse cast and updates reflecting modern themes, but others criticize it for pandering and incorporating unnecessary elements deemed inappropriate for younger audiences.
- disappointment
- lack of depth
- diverse cast
- lighthearted tone
- inappropriate elements
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 24 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie is a mixed bag, appealing to some as a fun Halloween watch with decent humor and enjoyable musical moments, while others express disappointment about its deviation from the original's charm and storytelling quality. Many reviews highlight a sense of modernity that doesn't resonate well with fans of the original, alongside concerns regarding character depth and perceived overemphasis on contemporary themes.
- mixed reception
- funny moments
- modern themes
- character depth issues
- family-friendly
- musical elements
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After lighting the Black Flame Candle in HOCUS POCUS 2, high school besties Becca and Izzy (Whitney Peak and Belissa Escobedo) accidentally conjure up the Sanderson Sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy), bringing the 17th century's most notorious group of child-hungry witches back to present-day Salem. To remain alive and beautiful, the witches need young blood, but their pursuit of the teenagers is sidetracked when they discover that the local mayor (Tony Hale) is a descendant of their historical nemesis. The mayor is also father to Becca and Izzy's childhood friend, Cassie (Lilia Buckingham), putting her life at risk as well. The teens band together to stop the evil sisters before dawn on All Hallow's Eve, and they'll learn what they're capable of -- alone and with their "coven" -- in the process.
Is It Any Good?
It's always a relief when a sequel doesn't let down the legions of fans of a cult original, and in this case, the new film surpasses its predecessor in entertainment value. Hocus Pocus 2 plays to its followers with some references to the 1993 original, but you certainly don't have to have seen that film to enjoy this one, and the addition of modern-day teenagers could help draw in new followers. They might appreciate the feminist undertones, the dull-witted football boyfriend (deemed the "village idiot" by the Sandersons), and the present-day jokes involving technology like Alexa, Roomba, and the gazillion elixirs of the "youth and beauty industry."
Peak is especially good as the leader of the teen pack (Hocus Pocus 3 material?), Hale is always a delight, and Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham makes a glorious cameo as the "Witch Mother." But the real star here is Midler. She corrals her clueless sisters and steals the spotlight at every turn. "I bet you're looking for a stage," a character asks her as the sisters stumble upon a drag costume contest of, you got it, the Sanderson Sisters. "Always," she purrs, before breaking into song and dance and hypnotizing the townspeople into a zombie-like flash mob to do her bidding. This film tones down some of the cringier aspects of the original (like Parker's dumb blonde act) but keeps the camp, and even adds a touchingly emotional farewell (again, via Midler). And somehow, these "gothic Golden Girls" still look the same as they did 29 years ago. The blood of children must really work.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Hocus Pocus 2 compares to the original, if you've seen it. What are some of the benefits and risks of making a sequel to a popular film?
What do Becca, Izzy, and Cassie learn from the Sanderson sisters? What do the sisters learn from the teenagers?
What were the Salem witch trials? Where could you go for more information?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 30, 2022
- Cast : Bette Midler , Sarah Jessica Parker , Kathy Najimy , Doug Jones
- Director : Anne Fletcher
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Disney+
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : action, macabre/suggestive humor and some language
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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