Fall is finally upon us, which means that Halloween is just around the corner.  One of the most anticipated Halloween movies this year was “Hocus Pocus 2,” sequel to the 1993 film, “Hocus Pocus.”

Being that “Hocus Pocus” is such a classic must-watch movie during the spooky season, people of all ages have been excited about this long-awaited sequel.  It is my honor to review the new movie and break down how they compare and contrast and the sequel’s rating out of ten for all of the Halloween enthusiasts out there. 

WARNING: there are mondo spoilers of both movies beyond this point.  Please read at your own risk!

For anyone in need of a refresher of the plot of “Hocus Pocus,” the general idea is that three witch sisters in Salem, Massachusetts, die in 1693 and come back to life in 1993 to torment the children of Salem. It’s up to the lead characters to try and stop their evil plans. 

One major difference between the two movies is that the new one dives into the Sanderson sisters’ lives as young girls and how they came to be witches in the first place.  The Sanderson sisters are played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who also played the three sisters in the 1993 film. 

The new movie is set in 2022. While the first movie starred a teenage boy and his sister, this sequel stars two teen girls. 

The movies were similar because they both start off in Salem, Massachusetts, to connect the story to the infamous Salem Witch Trials.  Similar to the first movie, the witches created a spell that let them return to earth after death by the power of the black flamed candle. The witches then use the same book as the first movie to create all of their spells and potions.  

One of the best scenes of the new movie was when the teen girls, Becca and Izzy, played by Whitney Peak and Belissa Escobedo, convinced the sisters that youth potions were now sold in the form of lotions in drug stores.  Being that the sisters were scared of aging, they would do anything to get their youth potion.  So, the sisters mistakenly begin eating the lotions and serums in the skincare aisle in hopes that they would appear youthful. 

An entertaining character who was new to “Hocus Pocus 2” was the mayor played by Tony Hale.  He often had witty remarks that acted as comic relief against the rising tensions of the film. 

This new movie had a major plot twist that caught all watchers off guard.  In the first scene where the sisters are young girls, the witch who gives them the spell book says to never attempt the spell that gives a witch all-controlling power.  Winnie, one of the witches, ends up trying out this spell, which causes her to give up what she loves most, her sisters, Sarah and Mary.  So, unable to live with that reality, Winnie ended up disappearing along with her sisters, never to return. 

Both “H.P.” and “H.P. 2”  are perfect movies to watch if someone wants to be immersed in Halloween feelings and spirits.  From the fall scenes to the colors to the wardrobe of all of the characters, these movies portray the holiday perfectly.  It would be in the watcher’s best interest to watch the first movie before watching the sequel because a few connections were made between the two that would make more sense with background knowledge.

All things considered, my official rating for Hocus Pocus 2 is 8.75 out of 10.  I truly loved this movie for creating cozy feelings in my bones and getting me excited for October 31!