“Hocus Pocus 3” is officially in early development at Disney, bringing back the beloved Sanderson Sisters played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. This highly anticipated threequel follows the massive success of “Hocus Pocus 2,” which launched on Disney+ and broke streaming records, becoming the most-watched original film on the platform in its first three days and accumulating 2.7 billion minutes viewed in its opening weekend.

The journey to “Hocus Pocus 3” has been a dynamic one since its initial announcement in 2023. While updates from the returning cast members hinted at a third return for the iconic witches, the development process faced its share of complexities. The sequel had set the stage for further magical mayhem with the introduction of a second Black Flame candle and the presence of The Witch Mother (Hannah Waddingham), making a trilogy capper feel inevitable.

Despite a period where progress seemed uncertain, partly due to the departure of former Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production president Sean Bailey in 2024 who had originally announced the project, a new report confirms that the film is now firmly in early development. This positive update also includes the attachment of Midler, Parker, and Najimy to reprise their iconic roles under Disney Live-Action Studios.

Adding to the excitement, there are reported plans for a theatrical distribution for “Hocus Pocus 3.” Given the record-breaking interest shown in the streaming success of “Hocus Pocus 2,” a big-screen release for the Sanderson Sisters would not be surprising and could further capitalize on the franchise's enduring popularity. Bette Midler also revealed last year that a “brilliant” script was ready for production, with only a few behind-the-scenes details, such as salary negotiations with the three stars, needing to be finalized. As of now, details on the writer, director, and specific plot elements for the third installment remain under wraps, but the confirmation of its development suggests that the Black Flame candle may soon be lit once more.

The original “Hocus Pocus” film, directed by Kenny Ortega, debuted in 1993 and quickly became a Halloween classic. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, it chronicled the inadvertent resurrection of the three witch sisters, Winnie, Sarah, and Mary, centuries after their initial demise. Their mission upon return was to steal the life force from the town's children to achieve immortality, a plot that young Max, his sister Dani, his crush Allison, and the talking cat Thackery Binx endeavored to thwart.

The 2022 sequel, directed by Anne Fletcher, introduced a new cast including Belissa Escobedo, Tony Hale, Whitney Peak, and Sam Richardson, as the witches returned two decades later with a new nefarious plan for Salem. While the Sanderson Sisters are central to the franchise, most of the original supporting cast members, with the notable exception of Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson, did not return for the sequel.

However, original cast members Omri Katz (Max) and Jason Marsden (voice of Thackery Binx) have expressed keen interest in reprising their roles for “Hocus Pocus 3.” During a panel at MegaCon Orlando, they confirmed that while a development deal exists, they had not yet been contacted. Katz voiced some uncertainty about the film’s future given changes in Disney’s leadership, specifically Josh D'Amaro taking over for Bob Iger, but both actors reaffirmed their desire to be involved if invited, stating, “If they do it, and they invite us, absolutely. I think we’d all like to do it again, totally.”