Set in modern times, the Sanderson Sisters are back from the dead for a second time as a Salem magic store owner magically creates a new black-flame candle. 

Hocus Pocus 2 revives the 1993 fantasy and comedy classic Hocus Pocus and gives it a nice, modern spin. Similar to the first movie, the opening scenes are flashbacks to when the sisters were in their hay-day. But this time, the flashback is of Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary’s (Kathy Najimy) childhood in Salem, Massachusetts. As the sisters grow older in their colonial town, they seem to be suspected of witchcraft and are considered unusual by the other townsfolk. 

Back in present-day Salem, Becca (Whitney Peak) and her best friend Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) are getting ready for Halloween, the time when they perform their annual birthday ritual in honor of Becca’s birthday and Halloween being so close to each other. Becca and Izzy hint at the absence of a third friend, who we later know to be named Cassie (Lilia Buckingham). As previously mentioned, a Salem magic store owner magically creates a new black-flame candle that Becca and Izzy find perfect for their ritual. The problem is that the two have no idea what lighting the candle would mean, bringing evil 17th century witches back to cause chaos amongst the town of Salem. 

Hocus Pocus 2 offers a promising start, but somewhat dwindles when it comes to interesting bits in the second half. Becca and Izzy are your traditional Gen-Z robots, having very little personality that relates to the witches at all. The characters also seemed too calm with the situation of 400-year-old witches resurrecting themselves and wreaking havoc on their hometown, which would, in real life, scare the living daylights out of anybody. Despite these flaws, Hocus Pocus 2 does a good job of targeting a younger, Gen-Z audience with its references to skincare and social media and at the same time targets Millennials who have watched the first movie growing up.

Overall, Hocus Pocus 2 is a great movie and is definitely worth watching. Hocus Pocus 2 is available on Disney+ and was released on Friday, September 30th, 2022.