Hocus Pocus 2 premiered on Disney+, proving that nostalgia for the original 1993 classic was stronger than ever. The sequel, which brought back Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, became an immediate smash hit, breaking streaming records and instantly cementing its place as a new Halloween essential.
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The Coven’s Triumphant Return
The plot of Hocus Pocus 2 saw the infamous 17th-century Salem witches, Winifred, Mary, and Sarah, resurrected once again accidentally by two young women. The teens must then race against time to stop the highly motivated sisters from getting revenge against the Traske family, the descendants of the reverend who tried to separate them.
5 More Essential Halloween Films (Family-Friendly Frights!)
Hocus Pocus (1993)
IMDb / Walt Disney Pictures – © 1993
The original film that started it all, Hocus Pocus, follows three witch sisters—Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker)—who are accidentally resurrected on Halloween night after 300 years. As a group of kids tries to stop them from becoming immortal. Its enduring legacy and iconic performances make it a classic that is still beloved by fans of all ages.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
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Tim Burton’s stop-motion masterpiece follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who stumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with taking over the holiday. The film’s gothic aesthetic, catchy musical numbers, and slight sense of melancholy make it a visually stunning and perfectly creepy bridge between the spooky season and winter holidays.
Coraline (2009)
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Based on Neil Gaiman’s book, Coraline is a darker, more psychological animated film that follows a young girl who discovers a secret, parallel world through a hidden door. While the other world initially seems better, Coraline quickly learns that it hides a sinister secret involving her “Other Mother,” who wants to sew buttons into her eyes. It’s a visually beautiful film that offers genuinely unsettling imagery for older children and adults.
Halloweentown (1998)
IMDb / 1998 Walt Disney Disney Pictures
This Disney Channel Original Movie is pure, cozy Halloween fun. It follows Marnie Piper, who, upon turning 13, discovers she is a witch and travels with her grandmother to Halloweentown, a magical place where supernatural creatures live in harmony. The film’s focus on lighthearted fantasy, family secrets, and celebrating the spooky season makes it a perfect, low-stress seasonal favorite.
Monster House (2006)
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This animated horror-comedy uses impressive motion-capture technology to tell the story of three young kids who become convinced that the dilapidated house across the street is actually a living, breathing, man-eating monster. The film builds genuine suspense, features surprisingly intense set pieces, and explores themes of facing one’s fears, making it a thrilling and highly rewatchable cinematic scare.
