Disney+’s Hocus Pocus 2 dropped on the streaming service today, September 30th. Fans have waited for this highly anticipated sequel for almost 30 years, and now that it is here, we can get all the behind-the-scenes tidbits and discuss all the Easter Eggs found in the new film. Earlier this week, I attended the press junket where the stars of the movie discussed everything from the costumes to creating the sequel 29 years later. Check out these Hocus Pocus 2 Easter Eggs and fun facts learned during the press junket.
If you enjoyed these Hocus Pocus 2 Easter Eggs, check out these other articles: Pixar’s Elemental Easter Eggs, Guillermo del Torro’s Pinocchio Easter Eggs, Disney+ Willow press junket, Will Rosaline have a sequel press junket, Turning Red Easter Eggs, Luca Easter Eggs, Raya and the Last Dragon Easter Eggs.
Hocus Pocus 2 Parents Guide Movie Review
Hocus Pocus 2 Quotes
Participating Talent
- Bette Midler (as “Winifred Sanderson”)
- Sarah Jessica Parker (as “Sarah Sanderson”)
- Kathy Najimy (as “Mary Sanderson”)
- Whitney Peak (as “Becca”)
- Lilia Buckingham (as “Cassie”)
- Belissa Escobedo (as “Izzy”)
- Anne Fletcher (Director)
- Doug Jones (as “Billy Butcherson”)
- Sam Richardson (as “Gilbert”)
- Adam Shankman (Executive Producer)
- Lynn Harris (Producer)
Hocus Pocus 2 Easter Eggs & Press Junket Fun Facts
Hocus Pocus 2 sees the Sanderson sisters return after a 29 year hiatus since the original film, and fans are thrilled! In celebration of its release, we’re not only sharing some interesting fun facts learned during the press junket earlier this week, but also Easter Eggs viewers can look out for when viewing the film. Let’s check them out!
Disclaimer: The following might spoil some plot points of the film, so proceed at your own risk.
In the opening sequence of Hocus Pocus 2, the film starts out by getting a little look into the origin of the Sanderson Sisters’ story. As an arranged marriage is proposed to one of the sisters, the sisters run away into the woods and Mary suggests doing a “calming circle,” and unlike in the original film, they all agree. As they calm themselves,the voice of Mother Witch (Hannah Waddingham) begins to sing “Come Little Children.” In the original film, Sarah is the one who sings the song to lure the children of Salem to them.
Mother Witch hands over the iconic Spell Book to Winifred in Hocus Pocus 2. As the girls skim through the book, they come across the cat transformation incantation. That is the spell that was used in the original film on Thackery Binx to turn him into a black cat. Mary suggests using it on John Pritchett.
The home of the Sanderson Sisters has been converted into The Old Salem Magic Shoppe in Hocus Pocus 2. Gilbert, the shop owner, tells the story of the sisters and reveals The Spell Book is kept in a locked case. He also has a black cat. In the shop, viewers can also see Black Flame candles and Binx plushies.
Gilbert, played by Sam Richardson, reveals to the young girls that he saw the witches when he was young and out trick-or-treating on Halloween in 1993. While telling the story, he mentions that bullies stole his candy, likely referring to Hocus Pocus bullies Ice and Jay.
The Black Flame Candle that allows Winifred, Sarah, and Mary to return in the first movie is given to Becca for her 16th birthday by Gilbert. This candle was actually made by Gilbert and later used by Becca in the Forbidden Woods, thus making the sisters return.
Salt
In the original Hocus Pocus, Allison uses salt to protect herself and her friends from the Sanderson Sisters. In Hocus Pocus 2, salt is also used in the same way. This is first done when the sisters return and are lured to Walgreens for “potion,” which turns out to be lotion. The girls grab a bag of salt to get away from the sisters.
The Sisters Brooms
In the Hocus Pocus film, the Sanderson Sisters used brooms, mops, and a vacuum after their brooms were stolen by trick-or-treaters. In Hocus Pocus 2, the sisters replicate the same sort of scenario using a broom, Swiffer, and Roombas when they can not find their brooms.
Billy Butcherson Returns
Everyone’s favorite zombie from Hocus Pocus, Billy Butcherson, returns in the sequel. Gilbert actually digs up Billy for a special potion in the making. Doug Jones, who plays Billy, stated during the press junket that he “was a zombie before zombies were cool.”
The Descendants
There is a nod to The Descendants, possibly placed into the movie as a nod to Kenny Ortega, who directed the original Hocus Pocus film as well as The Descendants. In Hocus Pocus 2, the apple bobbing booth is called Rotten to the Core, which is the first song in Descendants. Kathy Najimy (Mary) was also the Evil Queen in The Descendants.
The Sanderson Sisters’ dresses are a little different in Hocus Pocus 2 than how we see them in the original film. During the press junket, Director Anne Fletcher explains that the original costumes were not in the best shape, having been almost 30 years old, so this was their chance to change them up a bit. While staying close to the original look, they did add some symbols that tie them to Wicca. She goes on to explain, “The symbols on all three of the witches outfits especially Bette’s mean something. It’s sort of now modern day Wicca but in the 1600s that version of witchcraft which was a tethered to the earth, the ocean, the stars, it’s all tied together and it’s all on her cloak as well as the bird. It’s all reflected in Winifred’s cloak and in Mary’s rings. The three girls also have the symbols, as well as each witch’s color stone in their matching necklaces.“
Producer Lynn Harris adds that, along with the necklaces, each of the girls’ costumes mirrors the exact color scheme of their respective Sanderson sister. Izzy’s burgundy cardigan also pays tribute to Allison’s iconic red jacket in the first film. Another interesting tidbit is Mother Witch’s cloak, which has similar colors to Dani’s witch outfit in the original.
Fan Favorite Quotes
Hocus Pocus 2 includes some fan favorite lines many will recognize, such as Sarah chanting, “Amok! Amok! Amok!” Winifred says the lines “Boooook!” and “I haven’t lost my touch” while using the magic book, and Mary’s famous “Buh-byeee” is also heard throughout the film.
In the garage, towards the end of the film, Mary says her famous line, “I smell children” and calls Becca “Shishka Baby,” something she called Dani in the original. And when the witches disappear again, they use the same phrases they did in the first film when they disappeared. Sarah says “goodbye,” Mary says “bye-bye,” and instead of Winifred calling for her book, this time she calls for her sisters.