Ever since its release on September 30, 2022, fans have been asking one question: what happens in Hocus Pocus 2? The highly anticipated sequel to Disney’s 1993 Halloween classic revives the beloved Sanderson Sisters for another night of supernatural chaos in Salem. Directed by Anne Fletcher, the film stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, who return to their iconic roles nearly three decades later.
The movie blends humor, nostalgia, and heart while introducing a new generation of characters. It’s not just a rehash of the original—it’s a continuation that deepens the story of sisterhood, friendship, and self-discovery. Below is a detailed look at everything that happens in Hocus Pocus 2, from its opening flashback to its emotional ending and hidden Easter eggs.
A Return to Salem: How the Story Begins
The film opens with a flashback to Salem, Massachusetts, in the 1600s, offering a rare glimpse into the Sanderson Sisters’ early lives. We meet young Winifred (Taylor Paige Henderson), Sarah (Nina Kitchen), and Mary (Juju Journey Brener) as mischievous but misunderstood girls.
After Winifred refuses to marry a man chosen by the local reverend, the trio flees into the forbidden woods. There, they encounter Mother Witch (Hannah Waddingham), a mysterious figure who senses their potential. She gifts them the Book, a powerful spellbook bound in human skin, and warns Winifred that true power always comes with a price.
This origin story sets the tone for the entire movie, showing that the sisters weren’t born evil—they became powerful outcasts shaped by fear and rejection.
Jump to Modern Day: A New Generation of Salem Teens
Fast-forward to present-day Salem, where Halloween is as lively as ever. We meet three high school friends:
- Becca (Whitney Peak) – a bright, independent teen with a fascination for witchcraft.
- Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) – Becca’s loyal and curious best friend.
- Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) – their former friend who has drifted away after becoming popular and dating Mike (Froy Gutierrez).
Becca and Izzy plan to celebrate Becca’s 16th birthday, which happens to fall on Halloween, by performing their annual ritual in the woods. This harmless tradition quickly takes a dark turn when they unknowingly summon the Sanderson Sisters back to life.
The Black Flame Candle Burns Again
The catalyst of Hocus Pocus 2 is, once again, a magical candle. This time, it’s a new version of the Black Flame Candle, given to Becca and Izzy by Gilbert (Sam Richardson), the owner of The Olde Salem Magic Shoppe.
Gilbert’s shop is built inside the original Sanderson Sisters’ cottage, now turned into a tourist attraction. He gives the girls the candle as a “souvenir,” but it turns out to be very real. When Becca lights it under a full moon, the familiar green smoke swirls, and the sisters rise again from the ground, cackling and singing their way into modern Salem.
The Witches Return — and So Does the Chaos
Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) are back—and immediately confused by the modern world. In one of the film’s funniest sequences, the sisters mistake cosmetic stores for potion shops, thinking anti-aging creams are magical elixirs.
But the humor quickly turns to menace when Winifred discovers that the mayor of Salem, Jefry Traske (Tony Hale), is a descendant of the reverend who exiled her centuries earlier. Furious, she vows revenge on his bloodline and decides to cast the Magicae Maxima spell, which would make her the most powerful witch in history.
However, the spell requires a rare sacrifice: the thing the witch holds most dear.
New Heroes, Old Legends
Becca and Izzy quickly realize they’ve made a terrible mistake. The teens spend most of the movie trying to stop the Sandersons from completing their ultimate spell. Along the way, they uncover surprising truths about themselves and Salem’s magical history.
Becca begins to sense strange energy around her—lights flicker when she’s angry, and candles ignite without matches. Over time, she discovers that she possesses natural magical abilities, making her a true witch.
This revelation creates a parallel between Becca’s trio and the Sanderson Sisters. Both groups of three young women must navigate friendship, loyalty, and the temptations of power.
The Modern Mayhem of the Sanderson Sisters
As the witches attempt to gather the ingredients for the Magicae Maxima spell, their antics bring classic Hocus Pocus humor back to life.
Some highlights include:
- The sisters performing a musical number, “One Way or Another (Hocus Pocus 2 Version)”, to cast a spell over the townspeople.
- Mary riding two Roombas instead of a broom, providing hilarious modern-day chaos.
- Sarah being fascinated by selfies and streetlights.
Meanwhile, the witches recruit Gilbert—who had secretly planned their return—to help them find the necessary spell components. However, Gilbert soon regrets his decision as he sees the destruction they cause.
The Sandersons’ Plan for Ultimate Power
Winifred’s quest for the Magicae Maxima spell becomes the driving force of the film. She collects the ingredients—blood from an enemy (the mayor’s lineage), a drop of her own blood, and the essence of the full moon.
During this process, she uses her sisters to manipulate Gilbert, capture the mayor, and face Becca’s growing power. As the witches’ spell nears completion, Becca and Izzy must race to stop them before they become unstoppable.
The Final Battle in the Woods
The climax takes place in the Salem woods, where everything began. Winifred completes the spell and absorbs the power of the Magicae Maxima—but it comes with a devastating consequence. The spell requires her to lose what she loves most: Sarah and Mary.
As her sisters start to vanish into thin air, Winifred breaks down, realizing her lust for power has cost her the only thing she truly cared about. In a heartbreaking moment, she begs Becca to undo the spell and reunite her with her sisters.
Becca, now fully embracing her magic, performs a reversal incantation. Winifred fades away peacefully, joining Sarah and Mary in the afterlife.
A Bittersweet Ending — and a Magical Beginning
After the witches disappear, Becca, Izzy, and Cassie reunite and reconcile their friendship. The three realize that their bond—like that of the Sanderson Sisters—is their greatest source of power.
As they walk home under the glowing full moon, their candles flicker with the same eerie light that once resurrected the witches. The moment suggests that Salem’s magic isn’t gone—it has simply passed on to a new generation.
The final scene pans back to Gilbert’s shop, where a black cat—reminiscent of Thackery Binx—jumps onto a shelf. The camera reveals a box labeled “BF Candle #2,” hinting that another Black Flame Candle still exists.
This small detail leaves the door wide open for a possible Hocus Pocus 3.
Behind the Magic: Cast and Crew
The film reunites the original stars who defined Halloween for a generation:
- Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson
- Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson
- Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson
- Whitney Peak as Becca
- Belissa Escobedo as Izzy
- Lilia Buckingham as Cassie
- Sam Richardson as Gilbert
- Tony Hale as Mayor Jefry Traske
- Hannah Waddingham as Mother Witch
Directed by Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, 27 Dresses), the film features stunning cinematography and vibrant set design that blends the eerie atmosphere of Salem with the energy of modern Halloween festivities.
The musical score by John Debney, who also worked on the original, captures the same whimsical yet spooky tone, while the soundtrack adds fresh hits to accompany the witches’ comedic chaos.
How Hocus Pocus 2 Expands the Original Story
While the 1993 film focused mainly on humor and nostalgia, Hocus Pocus 2 brings emotional depth to the Sanderson Sisters’ story. For the first time, we see them as characters shaped by circumstance rather than pure evil.
The sequel also expands on the idea that magic is inherited, not learned—implying that Salem itself holds ancient energy that flows through generations. Becca’s character arc as a “modern witch” reflects empowerment, empathy, and responsibility, giving the film a message of unity that resonates with today’s audience.
Reception and Legacy
Upon release, Hocus Pocus 2 became one of Disney+’s most-watched original films within its first weekend. Fans praised the returning cast’s performances, calling them “just as funny and fabulous as ever.” The film’s blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling helped it reach both longtime fans and younger viewers.
Critics commended its themes of friendship and forgiveness while highlighting the emotional ending that redefined the witches’ legacy. For many, Hocus Pocus 2 proved that a sequel can honor the original while standing confidently on its own.
Did you enjoy finding out what happens in Hocus Pocus 2? Which moment was your favorite—the witches’ return, Becca’s awakening, or Winifred’s heartfelt ending? Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us if you’re ready for Hocus Pocus 3!