Hocus Pocus 2 Parent Guide

Almost 30 years after their last escapades, the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) are accidently brought back to life by a group of friends just trying to have some spooky fun on Halloween. Having learned from their last experience, the three witches immediately set out to make a potion that will restore them to the land of the living forever…and hopefully find some tasty children to eat along the way.

I have no nostalgia for the original Hocus Pocus. Yes, I’m aware that makes me a bad Millennial. I never saw it as a kid and when I saw it as an adult, I just didn’t get the hype. Imagine my surprise when I loved the sequel! It’s much better than the original in my opinion, in multiple ways. First, the story is tighter and more kid appropriate. It doesn’t meander as much as the original and is less obsessed with virginity. Second, the child actors are far more tolerable than those in the original, who were distractingly bad. The main trio of teen girl actors are perfectly acceptable, but the real standouts are the child versions of the Sanderson sisters, who absolutely hit the characterizations out of the ballpark.

It goes without saying that Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are fantastic. They were the best part of the original, and they bring that same spark to the sequel. It’s obvious that they are having a blast making this movie, and that joy seeps through the entire production. Tony Hale, a new addition to the cast, is clearly having the absolute time of his life and is hilarious to watch. Everyone involved knows exactly what movie they are making: a silly, campy riot for the whole family.

Another plus for Hocus Pocus 2 is that it’s much more child appropriate than the original. There’s no sexual innuendo, less swearing, and the whole “child sacrifice” angle has been toned down. There is still some slapstick magical violence and a surprising number of terms of deity, but other than that the film doesn’t have much else to worry about. It’s also a little less scary than the original. My five-year-old has watched both, and he was far less freaked out by the sequel.

If you’re looking for some laughs rather than scares for Halloween (and you would love to see Bette Midler sing a Blondie song) Disney has managed to conjure up some real magic with Hocus Pocus 2.