Hocus Pocus may have been a box office bomb when it first premiered in theaters in the summer of 1993 when Jurassic Park was ruling big screens, but it has since become a staple of family-friendly Halloween season viewing. When Disney+ decided to bring back the Sanderson sisters back in 2022 with Hocus Pocus 2, it became so popular on streaming that we were left wondering why it didn’t go to theaters. Oh, and it was announced that a third movie is on the way. As we soon say goodbye to Halloween season, here's the latest on what’s going on with it.

Bette Midler was asked about the status of Hocus Pocus 3 when she appeared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen earlier this month. Here’s her update:

That’s a big step! A lot of what stalls productions has to do with a script not being written or not getting to the right place in time. But per Midler’s words, things are in a good place with current Hocus Pocus 3 script. So right now, the conversations being had has to do with “logistics” such as creating the budget and perhaps fine-tuning some elements of the script’s storyline.

Hocus Pocus 3 was first announced back in June 2025 when former president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, Sean Bailey, confirmed the sequel was in development. Not long after that, it was reported that Hocus Pocus 2’s director Anne Fletcher and script writer Jen D’Angelo were going to resume their roles in the next installment. Per Midler’s words, it sounds like D’Angelo got the job done, after she previously teased about how the Sanderson sisters could return.

It’s great to hear about the forward movement of Hocus Pocus 3 after prior updates were a lot less concrete. The last time Bette Midler talked about the movie last year, she said the studio was “very gingerly and very gently” talking about the sequel. This past July, Sarah Jessica Parker expressed interest in doing the movie, and said “conversations” had been happening.

It certainly feels like a no-brainer for Disney+ to produce the movie after the movie had the biggest streaming movie debut ever, with 2.7 billion minutes viewed during its debut weekend on the service. Here’s hoping it’s not long before we’re seeing the trio back on set together celebrating the first day of filming. How exciting is it to know a new witches brew from the franchise is being cooked up?

More than 30 years after beloved ’90s family-friendly movie Hocus Pocus cast its Halloween spell on moviegoers, the behind-the-scenes stories just keep getting better. While most fans remember the 1993 Disney classic for its Sanderson sister chaos and cult-favorite nostalgia, one of the film’s stars has shared a hazier recollection from set, one involving pumpkins, marijuana, and a lesson in “never again.”

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly actor Tobias Jelinek, who played leather-jacketed bully Jay in Hocus Pocus (but unfortunately not in its sequel) confirmed that he did, in fact, smoke weed with his co-star Omri Katz (aka Max Dennison) during production. But unlike Katz, who previously told EW in 2022 that he was “having a good old time” experimenting with cannabis throughout filming, Jelinek says his one and only attempt was a total disaster. He explained:

According to Jelinek, Katz, who bought a Volkswagen bus while filming and even took director Kenny Ortega to a Grateful Dead concert in San Francisco, left a “giant nug of California green weed” in his microwave as a gift. Later, Katz convinced him to join in during lunch before rehearsing their big Halloween night scene. He continued:

Things didn’t get better once the cameras rolled. Jelinek recalled:

To his credit, Katz has always been open about his Hocus Pocus haze. In a 2022 interview, the actor admitted he was “misperforming and not hitting [his] marks” during some scenes, prompting Ortega to call him out directly. Katz laughed that it became a wake-up call to be “a little more professional,” though he clearly still had plenty of fun along the way.

The now 48-year-old former Disney star went on to start his own cannabis brand, Mary Danksters. At the same time, Jelinek continued acting, most recently appearing as serial killer Richard Speck in the 2025 TV premiere Monsters: The Ed Gein Story, available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

For both men, the Hocus Pocus experience remains a beloved, if occasionally foggy, part of their careers. And with Disney developing Hocus Pocus 3, several original cast members, including Katz, Vinessa Shaw, and Jason Marsden, have already said they’d be “100 percent down” to return if asked. Let’s make that happen, Disney, because they were sorely missed in Hocus Pocus 2.

Until then, fans can revisit the original and its 2022 sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, both streaming now with your Disney+ subscription.

Nostalgia is a powerful force in the entertainment world, which is why we'e gotten so many long-awaited sequels in recent years. Case in point: Hocus Pocus 2, which arrived in 2022 for those with a Disney+ subscription. Fans waited decades to see the trio of Sanderson Sisters back on their screens, and they managed to slip right back into character. I recently watched Hocus Pocus 2 for the first time since its premiere, and I was seriously distracted by the look of the movie. Specifically, it's muted colors.

Critics had a mixed reaction to Hocus Pocus 2 when it was released, and there were some big shoes to fill considering how much of a cult classic the 1993 original is. I enjoyed the sequel both times I've seen it, but I've got to say that the lack of vibrancy in the film's colors really distracted me the second time around. Seriously, it looked like a Zack Snyder movie at times.

Hocus Pocus 2's Color Looks So Dull Compared To The Original

The original Hocus Pocus is full of bright, vibrant colors. Simply glancing at the Sanderson Sisters' looks shows this, as well as the color of their magic and even the Halloween costume worn by Thora Birch's Dani. If you do a double feature and watch the sequel right after, the discrepancy between the color grading is even more obvious. Seriously, why does Anne Fletcher's follow-up movie look so muted?

Some scenes in here are worse in regards to its coloring, particularly the sequence where the witches go to Walgreens. The overhead lighting doesn't do them any favors, and the cast looks particularly washed out. This was never a problem in the 1993 original.

The sequel put the villains into a number of funny modern scenarios, while also harkening back to the original. It's a delightful sequel, but I just wish that it looked as vibrant as its predecessor. Hopefully that can be fixed if Hocus Pocus 3 is ever produced.

Why Does It Look So Dark?

Over the past few years there's been growing criticism about movies and TV shows being too dark to watch. Fans complained when Game of Thrones' Season 8 Episode, "The Long Night," was almost impossible to watch. So is Hocus Pocus 2's color issue more of a symptom of the entire entertainment industry?

A while back, digital imaging technician Nicholas Kay spoke to Variety about ongoing complaints with darkness in contemporary film projects. He encouraged folks to double check their TV settings, and also hammered down the importance of having high quality sets, as well as proper lighting that'll mimic movie theaters. He addressed how darkness might also be a creative choice, saying:

While Hocus Pocus 2 isn't alone in this issue, I found the discrepancy of color between the two movies to be super distracting. Moviegoers want big bold colors, Hollywood! At least, I do.

Both Hocus Pocus movies are streaming now on Disney+. We'll have to wait and see if/when a third movie comes together. For their part, the trio of leading actors seem down to return as the Sanderson Sisters.

I am both fascinated and horrified by the idea of being transformed into an animal. This is likely because I have seen numerous films and TV shows, such as the following, that depict human characters undergoing this process, either by choice or against their will.

Quick disclaimer: I wanted to keep this list exclusive to characters who, in most cases, fully metamorphosed into an Earthly non-human being, so there will be no half-human, half-creature hybrids like in The Fly or other body horror flicks of that nature, or mentions of werewolf movies, for instance. Without further ado, let’s get wild!

Wilby Daniels (The Shaggy Dog)

Some of the best movies about talking dogs involve a canine who started off as human, such as The Shaggy Dog. Disney's live-action fantasy from 1959, which later spawned a sequel called The Shaggy D.A. and a remake with Tim Allen, stars Tommy Kirk as Wilby Daniels, a teenager who is cursed with an affliction that periodically transforms him into a sheepdog.

Harry Limpet (The Incredible Mr. Limpet)

In 1964's The Incredible Mr. Limpet, Don Knotts plays the title character, who longs to live amongst the creatures of the sea. He receives his wish when he is magically transformed into an animated fish, which ends up giving him a better opportunity to assist the Navy during World War II than he had as a human.

Tiana And Naveen (The Princess And The Frog)

In the classic fairy tale that the 2009 Disney animated film The Princess and the Frog is based on, the prince returns to human form after receiving a kiss from the princess. However, in this reimaging, when New Orleans restaurant server Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) kisses Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), she becomes a ribbiting amphibian as well.

The Kids From Animorphs (Animorphs)

From 1998 to 2000, Nickelodeon aired a TV show based on the Animorphs book series by Katherine Applegate and her husband, Michael Grant (writing together as K. A. Applegate). It follows a group of teens who are given the power to turn into any animal they touch by a group of aliens, in order to help them fight a war against a parasitic extraterrestrial race planning to infiltrate the human race.

Professor Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone)

Maggie Smith's character from the Harry Potter movies, Professor Minerva McGonagall, frequently uses a spell that transforms her into a cat. She demonstrates this in 2000's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, when the title hero (played by Daniel Radcliffe) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) assume they have made it to the Hogwarts instructor's class before she arrives, only to discover she was the feline sitting atop her desk.

Beast Boy (Teen Titans)

To save his life from an illness that West African green monkeys are immune to, young Garfield Logan's father temporarily transformed him into the animal with an untested experiment that ended up giving him the ability to shapeshift into any creature he chooses. The DC Comics superhero, better known as Beast Boy, would become a fan favorite on the beloved animated series, Teen Titans, as voiced by Greg Cipes.

Kenai (Brother Bear)

In 2003's Oscar-nominated animated film Brother Bear, Joaquin Phoenix voices a post-ice age Alaskan hunter named Kenai, who is magically turned into his worst enemy, a brown bear, but learns to embrace his fate after befriending a cub named Koda (Jeremy Suarez).

Jayna (Super Friends)

Popular DC Comics heroes The Wonder Twins were created specifically for the animated precursor to Justice League, Super Friends. While the male sibling, Zan, can only turn into water (including in liquid, solid, or gaseous form), his sister, Jayna, can transform into any animal existing on any planet, even including mythological creatures.

Emperor Kuzco (The Emperor's New Groove)

In the funny cult favorite Disney animated film, The Emperor's New Groove, David Spade voices a selfish royal named Kuzco, who receives a much-needed crash course in humility in a most bizarre fashion. When he is mistakenly transformed into a llama by his vengeful former advisor, Yzma (Eartha Kitt), who really intended to poison him, he is forced to enlist the help of a peasant named Pacha (John Goodman) to return to normal.

Dr. Jonathan Chase (Manimal)

In the short-lived science-fiction TV show from the 1980s, Manimal, Simon MacCorkindale stars as Dr. Jonathan Chase, who possesses the ability to shapeshift into any animal of his choosing. He uses this power to help the police solve crimes.

Lampwick (Pinocchio)

In one of the most terrifying scenes from Disney's animated 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio, the sentient marionette befriends a troublemaker named Lampwick, who suffers the same fate as all boys who are sent to Pleasure Island and transforms into a donkey. One wild movie fan theory suggests that this is what happened to Eddie Murphy's character from Shrek.

Sabrina Spellman (Sabrina The Teenage Witch)

Melissa Joan Hart's young, eponymous spellcaster from Sabrina the Teenage Witch turned into an animal various times during the ABC fantasy sitcom's run. Her transformations would either be by her own doing or through a strange situation that she would need to figure out how to reverse.

Thomas P. Johnson (Fluke)

Fluke is an interesting movie about reincarnation, considering the main character is not resurrected into a new human body, but that of a dog. The 1995 film stars Matthew Modine as a selfish, workaholic family man who, after his untimely death, wakes up as Fluke, a dog named after his own breed, and struggles to reconnect with his family.

Wonder Woman (Justice League Unlimited)

In one of the weirder episodes of Justice League Unlimited, called "This Little Piggy," Wonder Woman (Susan Eisenberg) is turned into a swine by Circe (Rachel York). In order to turn her back, Batman (legendary Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy) must show an act of love toward her, and does so by serenading her at a club.

Meilin "Mei" Lee (Turning Red)

Roaslie Chiang voices the Chinese-Canadian teen Mei in the 2022 Pixar film, Turning Red, which is noted for its clever allusions to the struggles of female adolescence. The title refers to the unusual effects of a family curse that causes Mei to transform into a large Red Panda when she becomes flustered with strong emotions.

Thackery Binks (Hocus Pocus)

I don't think there is a single character from 1993's Hocus Pocus who has it worse than Thackery Binks (played in human form by Sean Murray and later voiced by Jason Marsden). Right after they drain the youth and life from his sister, Emily (Amanda Shepherd), the Sanderson Sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) curse the 17th-century boy with both the form of a black cat and eternal life.

Wallace Bryton (Tusk)

In writer and director Kevin Smith's absurdly quirky, but deeply unsettling 2014 A24 horror movie, Tusk, Justin Long plays an arrogant podcast host who is transformed into a walrus. Instead of by some strange witchcraft, the metamorphosis is achieved through a surgical procedure and psychological conditioning orchestrated against his will by a crazed former sailor played by Michael Parks.

Akio And Yūko (Spirited Away)

One of the most acclaimed Studio Ghibli films is Hayao Miyazaki's 2001 fantasy adventure, Spirited Away, in which young Chihiro finds herself trapped in a mystical realm where her parents are turned into pigs after greedily eating a feast not meant for them.

Queen Elinor (Brave)

In Pixar's Oscar-winning animated fantasy epic, Brave, Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) must rely on her boldness and her impeccable archery skills to find a cure for a curse that has turned her mother, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), into a bear.

Bob (The Lobster)

Yorgos Lanthimos' 2016 satirical fantasy The Lobster takes place in a dystopian society in which romantic partnerships are mandatory, and anyone still single by a certain time is required to be surgically transformed into the animal of their choosing. The recently divorced David (Colin Farrell) attends a retreat intended to help him find a mate, where he is accompanied by a dog, who is actually his brother, Bob, who "did not make it" through the same program.

Irena Gallier (Cat People)

Based on a 1942 horror movie classic of the same name, director Paul Schrader's 1982 thriller Cat People stars Nastassja Kinski and Malcolm McDowell as descendants of a people who turn into panthers after engaging in steamy encounters. The only way to revert back to their human form, however, is to commit murder.

Buffy Summers (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

In a Season 2 episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the teen paranormal activity hunter (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar) is accidentally transformed into a rat after her friend, Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), botches a spell.

Debbie Stevens (A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master)

Technically, teen athlete Debbie Stevens (Brooke Theiss) experiences a transformation into a cockroach before she is caught and crushed by Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) in a dream sequence from the fourth A Nightmare on Elm Street movie. Then again, however, the burned boogeyman kills a victim from within their subconscious becomes how they die in reality, so I'll count it.

Benjamin Browning (Oh! Heavenly Dog)

In 1980's Oh! Heavenly Dog, Chevy Chase plays a recently deceased private investigator named Ben Browning who is given the chance to be sent back to Earth to solve his own murder case. However, he is reincarnated not in human form but in the body of a dog played by Benjean, who is the daughter of the original canine actor who played Benji, Higgins.

Peter Pettigrew (The Harry Potter Movies)

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Ron Weasley discovers that his pet rat, Scabbers, has been a disguised servant of Voldemort named Peter Pettigrew, played by Timothy Spall, the entire time.

Wart (The Sword In The Stone)

In Disney's 1963 animated fantasy film, The Sword in the Stone, Wart (voiced by Rickie Sorensen), the boy who would be King Arthur, is mentored by the powerful wizard, Merlin (Karl Swenson), through a series of lessons that involve being transformed into various animals, including fish and squirrels.

Edmond (Rock-A-Doodle)

In Don Bluth's 1991 animated musical fantasy, Rock-a-Doodle, an 8-year-old farm boy named Edmond (Toby Scott Ganger) is magically transformed into a cat by the Grand Duke of Owls (Christopher Plummer), leading him to seek the help of an anthropomorphic, singing rooster named Chanticleer (Glenn Campbell).

Luke Eveshim (The Witches)

In the 1990 not-so-scary witch movie based on Roald Dahl's novel, The Witches (which is still pretty traumatizing for younger audiences), young Luke Eveshim (Jasen Fisher) is caught spying on a group of malevolent spellcasters who punish him by turning him into a mouse.

Sheena (Sheena)

Tanya Roberts stars in the 1984 film, Sheena, which later spawned a series adaptation in the early 2000s, as an orphaned woman raised in the jungle since she was a child by a mystical woman who taught her the skill of shape-shifting into various wild beasts.

The Kids From DinoSquad (DinoSquad)

One might say that the unofficial animated companion to Animorphs is a short-lived series called DinoSquad, which brings back animals from a bit further back in Earth's history. Airing from 2007 to 2008, the show followed a group of teens who fight crime with their ability to transform into prehistoric creatures.

Tom Brand (Nine Lives)

Nine Lives is one of those movies in which a selfish workaholic who never has enough time for his family is transformed into an animal so he can learn how to be a better version of his human self. The 2016 comedy from director Barry Sonnenfeld stars Kevin Spacey as the animalistic metamorphosis victim in question, who is turned into a cat by an eccentric pet shop owner played by Christopher Walken.

Eddie McDowd (100 Deeds For Eddie McDowd)

The underrated Nickelodeon TV show 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd is about a young troublemaker (voiced by Seth Green), who is transformed into a dog by a mystical drifter (played by Richard Moll). Before he can return to his human form, Eddie must complete 100 redemptive tasks, with help from the last kid he bullied (played by Brandon Gilberstadt), who is also the only one he can speak to, which is why he ends up adopting him into his family.

In many cases, a satisfying story sees the protagonist undergo a dramatic change. Sometimes, this means the character adopts new personality traits, for better or worse, but there are also some notable instances in which they change from the outside, often in wild and even unsettling ways. If you have the stomach for it, come relive some of the most bewildering physical transformations from the big and small screen.

Sherman Klump (The Nutty Professor)

Star Eddie Murphy underwent multiple, incredible physical transformations, thanks to Rick Baker's Oscar-winning makeup, to portray various roles in director Tom Shadyac's remake of 1963's The Nutty Professor. However, his central role is Sherman Klump, a scientist who creates an instant weight loss formula that not only changes his appearance but causes him to unlock an alternate persona that begins to grow increasingly independent.

Walter White (Breaking Bad)

Walter White, Bryan Cranston's four-time Emmy-winning lead role on Breaking Bad, is the ultimate example of a TV character whose personality takes a complete 180 over time. However, the chemistry teacher-turned-criminal not only changes from within, but also on the outside when he shaves his head and grows a goatee early on in Season 1.

The Joker (Batman)

Some iterations of Batman's archnemesis depict him as a man who puts on the face of a clown with makeup and hair dye, but not in Tim Burton's 1989 classic. Jack Nicholson's Jack Napier becomes The Joker when he falls into a vat of acid that turns his hair green and his skin white and leaves a permanent smile on his face.

The Doctor (Doctor Who)

The title hero of Doctor Who may hold the record for the highest number of dramatic physical transformations for a single TV character, having completely altered his appearance at least 15 times in the series' decades-long history. Every few seasons or so, the immortal Time Lord regenerates, appearing in a whole new form and portrayed by a new actor.

Prince Adam (Beauty And The Beast)

Beauty and the Beast, the acclaimed 1991 Disney animated movie classic based on the timeless fairytale, is a story that reminds us that there is more to a person than meets the eye. The titular Beast used to be a handsome, but cruelly arrogant, prince named Adam before he was afflicted with a curse that could only be broken by finding true love with Belle.

Steve Urkel (Family Matters)

You could argue that making Jaleel White's nerdy Family Matters character the star of the show ruined the otherwise beloved TV sitcom, but, admittedly, Steve Urkel did prove himself to be a genius in many entertaining ways. Most notably, he invented a transformation chamber that could replicate his DNA and make him into a more suave alter ego known as Stefan Urquelle.

Steve Rogers (Captain America: The First Avenger)

I believe that none of the Marvel movies in order are more inspirational than 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, in which the 5'3", 115-lb Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) gets his wish to defend his country in World War II. All it takes to get him qualified is an injection of a special "Super Soldier" serum that allows his inner strength to also become his outer strength.

Mac (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)

For the seventh season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Rob McElhenney (who legally changed his name to Rob Mac in 2025) thought it would be funny if his character, Mac, gained a great deal of weight. The actor, and his role, would later alter his physical appearance once again when he dropped 60 pounds and achieved a shredded physique.

Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith)

Few characters from the Star Wars movies look quite as unsettling as Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who once had an entirely different appearance (and I am not just talking about when another actor played him in The Empire Strikes Back). The prequel trilogy reveals that the Sith leader actually looked human before the Force lightning he used to kill Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) reflected back on him, giving him withered white skin, jagged teeth, and yellow eyes.

Sean Archer And Castor Troy (Face/Off)

In one of the all-time wildest premises for an action movie, John Woo's 1997 hit Face/Off sees grieving FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) undergo a revolutionary procedure that allows him to convincingly pose as the comatose Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). Unfortunately, he comes to discover that the notorious terrorist has awakened and has undergone the same surgery in order to look like him.

Seth Brundle (The Fly)

Arguably, the quintessential body horror movie is director David Cronenberg's (who else?) 1986 remake of The Fly. The stomach-churning classic stars Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a physicist whose instant transportation experiment goes wrong when his DNA is accidentally fused with an insect, causing him to slowly become a grotesque creature.

Henry Creel (Stranger Things)

The fourth season of Netflix's Stranger Things was chock-full of mindblowing revelations, including how all of the trouble in Hawkins has been caused by a frightening creature referred to as Vecna. A big twist on top of that big twist is that the powerful, decrepit ruler of the Upside Down used to be a human named Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower) until Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) pushed him through a portal to the alternate dimension, causing his transformation.

Sméagol/Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King)

Andy Serkis' performance in The Lord of the Rings movies is not entirely achieved with performance capture. The actor appears in his practical form in The Return Of The King for a haunting flashback that explains how the creepy little creature known as Gollum used to be a hobbit named Sméagol before he was corrupted by the One Ring.

Chuck Noland (Cast Away)

In 2000's Cast Away, FedEx employee Chuck Noland loses quite a bit of weight and never has an opportunity to shave or trim his hair while stranded on a desert island for four years. Robert Zemeckis actually took a break from production to film What Lies Beneath while waiting for Tom Hanks to lose 50 lbs.

The Gremlins (Gremlins)

In the classic 1984 horror-comedy movie, Gremlins, Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) learns why you should never feed a Mogwai after midnight the hard way. The cute, cuddly, one-of-a-kind creatures mutate into the eponymous, menacing green monsters who cause anything but a silent night around Christmastime.

David Banner (The Incredible Hulk)

In the classic TV adaptation of the Marvel comic, The Incredible Hulk, Bill Bixby plays David Banner, a physicist who is dangerously exposed to gamma radiation. As a result, if his stress levels rise too high, he transforms into a green behemoth played by bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno.

Elisabeth Sparkle (The Substance)

One of the best horror movies of 2024 (and most acclaimed films of that year, period), The Substance, is a cautionary tale of vanity sealing one's downfall, told from the perspective of Oscar nominee Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle. The actor uses a black market drug to create a younger alter ego named Sue (Margaret Qualley), who begins to take over her life, disrespecting the balance and, literally, draining every last drop of her youth until she becomes a completely unrecognizable, old crone.

Alex Murphy (RoboCop)

In 1987's RoboCop, police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) suffers an incident that leads him to become part-man, part-machine... but mostly machine. Since much of his physical form was destroyed, just about everything from the neck down is replaced with robotic parts, turning him into the ultimate crime-fighting tool.

Melvin Junko (The Toxic Avenger)

Troma's cult-favorite superhero flick, 1984's The Toxic Avenger, is the story of an awkward, geeky custodian named Melvin Junko (Mark Torgl). After falling into a vat of toxic waste, as the result of a disastrously cruel prank, the 98-pound weakling transforms into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength, which he uses to make his crime-ridden community a better place.

Edward Lemuel (A Different Man)

In the acclaimed A24 movie, A Different Man, Sebastian Stan plays Edward Lemuel, an actor born with neurofibromatosis, which causes him to grow abnormalities on his face that he has removed with reconstructive surgery. However, he soon begins to experience an identity crisis when an actor with the same affliction (played by Adam Pearson) is cast to portray him in a play based on his life.

Ben Grimm (Fantastic Four)

Like in the beloved Marvel comic that inspired it, 2005's Fantastic Four sees a group of people suffer a strange accident during a space mission that causes them to gain powers like elasticity, invisibility, and pyrokinesis. However, Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) is a special case because, in addition to gaining super strength, his skin turns to an impenetrable, rock-like substance.

Dr. Henry Jekyll (Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde)

One of the few actors to win an Academy Award for a horror movie is Frederic March, who starred in 1931's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as both the ambitious scientist and his grotesque, murderous alter ego.

David Kessler (An American Werewolf In London)

Cinema's gold standard for lycanthropic transformations occurs in 1981's An American Werewolf in London when David Kessler (David Naughton) undergoes a painful metamorphosis from man to animal under a full moon, courtesy of Rick Baker's Oscar-winning makeup effects.

Gwynplaine (The Man Who Laughs)

In 1928's The Man Who Laughs, Conrad Veidt plays the son of an executed English noble, whose face is surgically altered into an unsettling permanent grin, which would serve as the inspiration for the comic book villain, The Joker.

Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)

Hocus Pocus is recognized as a kid-friendly movie about witches, but the Sanderson Sisters (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) cast some truly dark and cruel spells. For instance, they curse Thackery Binx (played as a human by Sean Murray and later voiced by Jason Marsden) to live forever, but as a black cat.

Squidward Tentacles (SpongeBob Squarepants)

When SpongeBob Squarepants (Tom Kenny) accidentally injures Squidward's (Roger Bumpass) face, it heals in such a way that he appears more conventionally attractive, with a smaller nose, smooth cheekbones, and a chiseled jawline. However, the blessing begins to become a burden, and SpongeBob tries to help by recreating the same incident, which ultimately makes him look like he was molded in clay. I actually think "Handsome Squidward's" final form is a little creepy, but I guess I would have to be a sea creature to understand the appeal.

Shrek (Shrek 2)

The first Shrek ended with Princess Fiona's (Cameron Diaz) nightly transformation into an ogre becoming her permanent form after admitting her true feelings for Mike Myers' title character. However, in the 2004 sequel, the couple both take on human characteristics after he drinks a special potion.

Delenn (Babylon 5)

Mira Furlan stars on the sci-fi series Babylon 5 as Delenn, who is a type of extra-terrestrial called a Minbari. However, in Season 5, she undergoes a procedure that turns her into a half-human hybrid.

Jason Voorhees (Jason X)

In the tenth installment of the Friday the 13th franchise, 2001's Jason X, hockey-masked iconic horror movie villain, Jason Voorhees (Kane Hodder), is cryogenically frozen and awakened in the future on a spaceship, where he is nearly destroyed, only to be resurrected with a new look by nanobots.

Wallace Bryton (Tusk)

In writer and director Kevin Smith's odd A24 horror flick, 2014's Tusk, Justin Long stars as arrogant podcast host Wallace, who thinks he has found the perfect subject for his next episode in retired sailor Howard Howe (Michael Parks). However, much to his horror, Howe intends to surgically transform Wallace into a walrus, and the result of the process is nothing short of unsettling.

Gustav Graves (Die Another Day)

In the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, the MI-6 agent (played by Pierce Brosnan in his last 007 appearance) faces off against the Caucasian, English-accented Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens). However, near the end, he discovers the foe is really North Korean Colonel Tan-Sun Moon (Will Yun Lee), who faked his death, underwent intense reconstructive surgery, and reinvented himself as a wealthy diamond magnate within a matter of months.

Wikus Van De Merwe (District 9)

In Neill Blomkamp's acclaimed 2009 alien invasion movie, District 9, Sharlto Copley plays Wikus Van De Merwe, who is accidentally sprayed with some mysterious substance. As a result, he begins to slowly mutate into South Africa's oppressed extra-terrestrial visitors, known as Prawns.

As we all know, the beloved ’90s family-friendly movie has built a cult following since its 1993 premiere. Since then fans of Winnie, Mary and Sarah Sanderson had longed for a continuation of the humorous but witchy tale. The sequel arrived nearly 30 years later (to mixed reviews) but almost instantaneously sparked the Black Flame candle again with talks of Hocus Pocus 3. Since then, we’ve heard rumblings of the threequel, and Sarah Jessica Parker revealed what’s going on in their slice of Salem currently.

Though there’s no sight of Sarah Sanderson or her sisters, in the 2025 TV guide, you can catch SJP on Season 3 of …And Just Like That. She stopped by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen to chat about the current happenings for the NYC-based icon (available to stream with an HBO Max subscription). While there, she hinted at what was happening with the wicked siblings and the slow-moving Hocus Pocus 3 developments. Unfortunately, nothing super exciting to reveal, other than the trio is still in and people are talking, as she said:

Though not much is said in the statement, there are a few things to take away from it for fans who want to see more Sanderson content. The first, and arguably most important element, is that SJP, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy are still on board. In my opinion, there’s not much ground, hallowed or not, to stand on without them. The other point is that talks are still being had on how to develop the future movie that will inevitably stream with a Disney+ subscription.

For anyone who’s been following the saga, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Many behind-the-scenes, including writer Jen D’Angelo, have discussed the many directions that they could head in, story-wise, including exploring more of Hannah Waddingham's character. As a fan who watched the first one annually (and more) during the ‘90s, I have a lot of feelings about the sequel and the OG characters MIA.

Currently, it seems that 3 remains more of a question to everyone, but it has the potential to keep the door open for old faces. Omri Katz (aka Max) has expressed interest and has been one of the most notable of the 1993 flick to voice his feelings. Meanwhile, Doug Jones has mused about Billy Butcherson's future along with Winnie, Mary and Sarah since the quartet all seemed to somewhat have moments of closure.

All of us will have to wait and see how Hocus Pocus 3 plans will take flight, including Sarah Jessica Parker and co.

I think I speak for many when I say audiences love it when characters from two (or more) different movies or TV series come together in one special event, such as the epic monster movies featuring both Godzilla and King Kong, or when Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. appeared on Supernatural. Of course, for all of the mind-blowing crossovers we have been blessed with, there is still much to be desired in the realm of bringing two big-screen or small-screen franchises together.

In that respect, let’s let our imaginations run wild and dream up the movie or TV crossovers that would be incredible to see. Now, I cannot promise that many (or all) of these ideas are legally or even humanly possible, but why should we let that get in the way of the fun?

Toy Story And Small Soldiers

The first, and still one of the best, Pixar movies, Toy Story, showed us the world from the point of view of sentient toys in 1995. Three years later, Small Soldiers offered the same perspective, but with more of an edge and a more realistic approach. Seeing Woody (Tom Hanks) and other innocent children's playthings crossing paths with Major Chip Hazard (Tommy Lee Jones) and his AI-powered, militaristic action figures sounds like one wonderfully warped animated flick, if you ask me.

The Office And Parks And Recreation

As recalled by MovieWeb, co-creators Michael Schur and Greg Daniels initially conceived Parks and Recreation as a spin-off of The Office before it turned into its own separate and equally beloved TV sitcom. Still, there is no reason why Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and his former Dunder-Mifflin co-workers could not somehow cross paths with Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and other Pawnee residents in a mockumentary-style special.

Drive And Fast And Furious

A famous example of misleading movie marketing is 2011's slow-burn, Neo-noir thriller Drive, which one woman assumed would be more of a high-octane action thriller like the Fast and Furious movies, inspiring her to file a lawsuit, according to The Guardian. Honestly, I see this as a reason to give the people what they want and release a movie that sees Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew facing off against Ryan Gosling's Driver.

Succession And Yellowstone

Having both premiered in 2018, Jesse Armstrong's Succession and Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone would become subjects of comparison, with some even calling the Paramount Network hit "Succession with cowboy hats." I think seeing the wealthy and vindictive Roys indulging in a rivalry with the also wealthy and vindictive Duttons would make for one epic feature-length special or miniseries.

21 Jump Street And Men In Black

Among the hypothetical crossovers presented here, not all are too much of a stretch from the realm of possibility. In fact, there were actual plans for a film called MIB23, which would have brought Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) from the 21 Jump Street movie into the world of the Men in Black franchise. Unfortunately, plans were scrapped in 2019, but I still have hope this insane sci-fi/comedy mash-up could work.

Poker Face And The Thing

Imagine if human lie detector Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) from the Peacock original TV show Poker Face was trapped in one place with a group of people who may or may not be shapeshifting extraterrestrial organisms in disguise, like the 1982 horror movie classic, The Thing. She would be the only one who could suss out the imitators, but the rest of the group might be too paranoid to confidently trust her judgment. I think Rian Johnson should give John Carpenter a call.

Star Wars And Marvel Cinematic Universe

As a fan of both the Star Wars movies and of Guardians of the Galaxy, I love the idea of seeing the cosmic warriors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe visit George Lucas' galaxy far, far away. Considering both Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm are owned by Disney, this intergalactic epic is entirely possible, as long as the timeline is respected, of course.

RoboCop And Terminator

Omni Consumer Products' half-man, half-machine crime-fighting tool has crossed paths with Skynet's mechanical killer before, but only on the pages of a Dark Horse comic book series from Frank Miller. Why Hollywood has not yet tried its hand at a movie that pits the hero from RoboCop against any of the antagonistic cyborgs from the Terminator franchise is beyond me.

James Bond And Jason Bourne

The Matt Damon-led Jason Bourne movies are often cited as the inspiration for the James Bond franchise's grittier tone, especially after Daniel Craig took over as 007. If there could be a way to get the American amnesiac assassin and the suave MI6 agent together in a room (which would likely be destroyed by the end), that could make for one of the best spy movies ever.

Sherlock And Doctor Who

Two of the BBC's most popular series, Sherlock and Doctor Who, both involve a highly intelligent, fashionable, and sometimes arrogant protagonist who is accompanied by a reliable companion. For that and many other reasons, I think it would be amazing to see them come together in a special or miniseries in which Holmes, hitting a wall with a case that defies logic, finds unexpected help from The Doctor.

DC Universe And Marvel Cinematic Universe

The two biggest comic book publishing companies in the world have not always been rivals and have indulged in creating stories that see DC heroes and Marvel heroes fighting side by side. Considering his strong ties to the MCU, it can't be out of the question for DC Studios head James Gunn to at least call a meeting with Kevin Feige to discuss bringing this kind of crossover to the big screen, which might end up being the greatest superhero movie ever made.

John Wick And Kill Bill

While largely differing in tone, the John Wick movies and Quentin Tarantino's two-part Kill Bill saga are pretty similar in concept, following two retired, legendary assassins waging a vengeful war on those who wronged them. Who is to say that Keanu Reeves' gun-fu master and Uma Thurman's The Bride never crossed paths in their deadly heyday?

The Evil Dead And The Exorcist

Two of the most popular franchises of demonic possession movies, The Exorcist and The Evil Dead, could not be more different from one another, which is exactly why I want to see them converge. In my pitch, grown-up Regan MacNeill's (Linda Blair) expertise in devilish activity is enlisted to help with a new case, but when it spirals out of control, the only one who can help is chainsaw-headed Deadite hunter, Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell).

Inception And A Nightmare On Elm Street

When you think about it, Leonardo DiCaprio's Dom Cobb from Christopher Nolan's Inception essentially has the same job as Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Just imagine how much more challenging his team's adventures through the subconscious would be with Robert Englund's sadistic, badly burned boogeyman invading the same dream.

Alien, Predator, And Jurassic Park

You know what I think the Alien vs. Predator movies were missing? Dinosaurs. Putting these two fearsome extraterrestrials in yet another battle, but while trapped on one of the prehistoric animal-infested islands from the Jurassic Park films, could result in one of the most exciting entries from any of these franchises. You would not even need human characters to make it work because seeing both the Predator and the Xenomorph knocked down a peg by the T-Rex as a common enemy would be more than enough.

Ghostbusters And Casper

We already know that Casper and the Ghostbusters exist in the same universe, thanks to Dan Aykroyd's cameo as Ray Stantz in the Friendly Ghost's 1995 live-action feature adaptation of the animated series. I am sure Casper would happily help the paranormal exterminators take on a few evil spirits, even after an awkward misunderstanding were to happen when they first meet.

Mad Max And Dredd

The great thing about post-apocalyptic movies is that each has a different, intriguing interpretation of what a dystopian society would look like. However, what if the Wasteland from George Miller's Mad Max movies existed just across the (dried up) pond from Mega City One in Dredd? The gritty, visually stunning possibilities are endless.

Blade And Twilight

Allow me to make one thing clear: I am not suggesting that Marvel Comics' vampire hunter, originally played on the big screen by Wesley Snipes, should show up in the Twilight movies just to see Robert Pattinson's Edward, Kristen Stewart's Bella, and other bloodsuckers get slaughtered. I actually think Blade's presence could give the persistent haters of the films based on Stephanie Meyer's YA novel series a reason to treat the franchise with a little more respect.

Indiana Jones And Marvel Cinematic Universe

Since Disney owns both Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, I wonder if anyone there has ever tinkered with the idea of putting a character like Indiana Jones in the MCU. I mean, he and Steve "Captain America" Rogers would have been alive around the same time and, as staunch anti-fascists, probably would have gotten along great. I doubt Harrison Ford's casting as Thunderbolt Ross in Captain America: Brave New World would cause much confusion, either.

Monk And Psych

The USA Network used to run promos bringing characters from their respective series together, including one in which Tony Shalhoub's eponymous detective from Monk suspects that Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) is not a real psychic. It makes me wish that we could have seen an official crossover episode that would have seen plenty of funny bickering between the carefree Shawn and someone as neurotic as Adrian Monk, who at least might have gotten along with Gus (Dulé Hill).

Power Rangers And Godzilla

By combining their respective, animal-shaped vehicles into one large Megazord, the Power Rangers have managed to face off against bizarre creatures of all sizes, which means they could realistically take on Godzilla. However, if I were to pitch this crossover, the rangers would eventually have to join forces with the King of the Monsters after an even larger creature emerges to wreak havoc on Angel Grove.

Bill & Ted And Wayne's World

Perhaps we never saw Bill S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and Ted "Theodore" Logan (Keanu Reeves) take Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) on a trip through time because we are not worthy of such an excellent idea. Then again, if Myers and Carvey can still get together for Wayne's World reunions on SNL and Reeves and Winter could come back for 2020's Bill & Ted Face the Music, who says it doesn't have potential?

Dirty Harry And Death Wish

I think the greatest Dirty Harry movie we never saw would have put Clint Eastwood's Lt. Callahan on the case of a murderer targeting the most vicious gangs in San Francisco, which would turn out to be Charles Bronson's Paul Kersey from Death Wish. Inevitably, I think Harry would be lured into an alliance with the vengeful vigilante, coming to believe that his more permanent methods of justice align with his own.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer And Sabrina The Teenage Witch

It's a shame that there was never any attempt to make an official crossover between Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Sarah Michelle Gellar and the Melissa Joan Hart-led Sabrina the Teenage Witch while they were still on the air. The coming-of-age supernatural series may have differed dramatically in tone, but that is just what would have made the collaboration such a blast.

Harry Potter And The Dresden Files

If fans of the Harry Potter movies have ever been interested in trying out something a bit darker and grittier, there is another literary modern-day wizard with the same first name: Harry Dresden, played by Paul Blackthorne on the SyFy series, The Dresden Files. I think it would be fun to see J.K. Rowling's The Boy Who Lived helping author Jim Butcher's Chicago-based P.I. solve a grisly mystery in which magic is involved.

The Munsters And The Addams Family

They may have been on different networks and produced by opposing studios, but how in the world has there never been an attempt to introduce the Munsters to the Addams Family? I would even be open to getting the actors from Rob Zombie's reboot movie to star alongside the cast of Netflix's Wednesday if it meant getting just a glimpse at these creepy, kooky families finally coming together.

It And Terrifier

There are no two villains in the subgenre of creepy clown movies more iconic than Pennywise from It and Art the Clown from Terrifier. I can't imagine a horror fan being against the idea of bringing Bill Skarsgård's shapeshifting fear demon from Andy Muschietti's blockbuster adaptation of Stephen King's novel and David Howard Thornton from Damien Leone's shocking indie slashers together for one brutal showdown that would have blood and white face paint smeared across the screen.

Hocus Pocus And Trick 'R Treat

In Disney's cult favorite, family-friendly witch movie, 1993's Hocus Pocus, our young protagonists go through a lot of trouble to defeat the Sanderson Sisters (played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker). I cannot help but wonder how easily those sinister spellcasters could have been taken care of by the mischievous Sam from the 2007 anthology horror movie favorite, Trick 'r Treat.

Hoarders And Storage Wars

You know those people on the show Hoarders who compulsively keep hold of any item they possess, no matter how unnecessary or even unhealthy it may be? I have a potential idea to help them: put them on another A&E reality show called Storage Wars and tell them that they must outbid other experienced collectors if they want to maintain ownership of their junk.

Johnny English And The Pink Panther

While it barely held a candle to Peter Sellers, I cannot deny that I enjoyed Steve Martin's portrayal of Inspector Jacques Clouseau in his Pink Panther reboot. I even more enjoyed Rowan Atkinson as a bumbling Bond-wannabe in the Johnny English movies. I imagine that having the clueless French detective and accident-prone British spy cross paths on a case would result in some real comedic dynamite (especially if real dynamite is involved).

Sister Act And The Nun

After watching Whoopi Goldberg's Academy Award-winning performance in Ghost, I am convinced that a sequel to Sister Act in which Deloris Wilson-Van Cartier must contend with the habit-wearing demon Valak (Bonnie Aarons) from the Conjuring movies would be a riot.

Big Brother And Survivor

Big Brother and Survivor are both competitive reality shows that make social interaction a key element to winning, with the biggest difference being the setting. If I ran CBS, I would send the most famous all-stars from Big Brother to a remote island, bring Survivor champs to the Big Brother house, and see what happens.

The 2025 TV schedule has been off to a pretty great start. Between awards shows delivering and the exciting series returning or premiering, the year has already one for the books. For Hocus Pocus vet Thora Birch, to join Mayfair Witches Season 2 alongside Alexandra Daddario and return to her witchy roots is quite the treat. Based on recent comments, Birch seems to be relishing everything about it from the spooky content to the excellent costumes.

Mayfair Witches, based on the Anne Rice book series, has only been gaining traction with its first season's long-awaited arrival on Netflix. As its sophomore installment begins (with two episodes already out), Birch is one of many new faces to see in the cast as the thriller saga continues. While talking with TV Insider, the American Beauty alum was asked about her connection to the subject matter due to her character Dani, in the OG Hocus Pocus. Birch had this to say of her connection with witchy interests:

The Ghost World alum’s interest in Wiccan ways and all that lies adjacent to that isn’t surprising. Mayfair Witches absolutely feels like the right place for someone who acted alongside the Sanderson Sisters so early on in their career. After all, Hocus Pocus was a monumental movie that grew in popularity, continues to have new viewers, and possibly has more material in the works beyond the sequel. And while Birch was bummed about not being able to be in the sequel due to work reasons, ending up in a witchy Rice world seems pretty okay for her.

While exciting and thrilling, the AMC drama can be on the darker side of the magical world, Birch’s character included. If you’re looking for a reprieve, there are plenty of more light-hearted witch movies and witchy shows that are family-friendly out there to help balance out the fates of all those on Mayfair Witches.

It’s great to see that Hocus Pocus wasn’t the end of the spellcasting world for Thora Birch. She’s a perfect and seasoned addition to the Alexandra Daddario series. The clothes, jewelry and setting aren’t bad either. You can find new episodes of Mayfair Witches on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC or stream via AMC+.

At the end of Hocus Pocus 2, Doug Jones' Billy Butcherson is given a loving goodbye. With the Sanderson sisters having been defeated, all of their spells are undone, and that includes the one that has resurrected Billy as a zombie. He peacefully fades away to a mysterious afterlife.

It works as a conclusion to the character's story – but if it turns out that there is more story to tell, Doug Jones is more than happy to be a part of adventure, be it Hocus Pocus 3 or some form of spinoff.

The actor was asked about his potential future as Billy Butcherson during an interview with Collider. His reply wasn't exactly filled with a great deal of optimism that something will actually happen, but he noted that he would be game to reprise the role. Said Jones,

If there were to be some kind of Billy Butcherson spinoff, it likely wouldn't be a sequel simply because of the aforementioned conclusion the character gets in Hocus Pocus 2. That being said, his return in the sequel arrives with the reveal that he remained awake since 1993, and perhaps he didn't spend 29 years under dirt...

Doug Jones isn't brimming with confidence that such a project will ever come together, and he doesn't express inside knowledge about how he couldn't return for Hocus Pocus 3, but he emphasized that he would be interested in being a part of either:

In June 2023, a profile piece about Disney executive Sean Bailey noted that Hocus Pocus 3 was among the projects the studio was working on – but limited information about the movie has been made available since then (Bette Midler has said that conversations about the sequel are being had "very gingerly and very gently."). Screenwriter Jen D’Angelo has teased the sequel saying that filmmakers have "only scratched the surface of Hannah Waddingham's mother witch" from Hocus Pocus 2.

While we wait for Hocus Pocus 3 to come into focus (sorry, had to do it), fans can rewatch both Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 with a Disney+ subscription, as both titles are available in the streaming service's library.

I don’t think the Sanderson sisters need any introductions at this point, as they’ve been running amok for a good three decades now. With both the original and sequel movies having much success, the beloved franchise is on the road to becoming a trilogy. But what might that look like? Well, Hocus Pocus 2's writer, Jen D’Angelo, recently shared some insights into what a third installment may look like.

There are certainly various ways in which a third film in the Halloween-centric Disney franchise can go. One thing Jen D’Angelo is pretty certain of is the Sanderson sister's love of and desire for revenge, particularly Winnifred’s. She recently revealed to Collider how writing Hocus Pocus 3 has been a big but exciting undertaking, due to the movie’s beloved world and, of course, the sisters themselves. D’Angelo says of Winnie and her younger siblings:

So it sounds like there's a good chance that the trio of siblings could find themselves backsliding following the events of the 2022 sequel. Still, the scribe suggests that's not the only route that the narrative can go, which is also intriguing. If anything one would hope that whatever way the story plays out, it'll result in growth for the Sandersons.

Fans last saw Winnifred, Sarah, and Mary meeting their demise a second time, with it happening in the woods just outside Salem this time around The ending may have had a bit of mixed feelings and reviews, especially from the veteran fans. However, it doesn’t change the fact that, once again, these girls got bested by some children and their own obsession with immortality.

Although not much has been revealed to the public about what may be going on in Salem this time around, it seems evident that Winnifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) will all be back for some mayhem at some point. When that will be remains a mystery.

As for what a third film should deliver, I think many fans would love some cameos from classic and beloved characters. For instance, franchise OG Omri Katz expressed his hope of returning as Max Dennison at some point. Above all, though, let's hope that same Hocus Pocus energy that's fueled by chaos, magic and a lot of comedy from our favorite wicked sisters is also present. While Jen D’Angelo’s hints (including those centered on Hannah Waddingham's character) regarding what could be in store remain generally vague, I remain intrigued about what lies ahead.

In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie guide to learn about newer titles, including Bette Midler's The Fabulous Four. And, if you want to stick with the sisters, Hocus Pocus, and its sequel are both available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.

If you look at all the best pets in Hollywood history, it doesn’t all that long to come up with a handful (or a few handfuls) of iconic cats from yesterday and today. However, while all the great movie dogs get a ton of attention, their feline counterparts don’t always get as much love. In fact, they’re often portrayed as the villain or the butt of a “nine lives” joke.

That said, let’s change the narrative by highlighting 32 amazing cats in Hollywood history, even if some of them are more than a little evil.

Jonesy (Alien)

Though there are some outrageous theories out there about this memorable movie cat being in cahoots with the Xenomorph, let’s not disparage the name of Alien’s Jonesy. This adorable and fearless orange tabby cat pulled off what most of the Nostromo crew failed to do in Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror classic: survive.

Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service)

Voiced by the late Phil Hartman in the 1998 English dub of this iconic Studio Ghibli movie, Jiji was at the heart and center of Hayo Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service. The sassy counterpart of the 13-year-old titular witch finding her way in the world, Jiji was there to keep the young girl on track while also providing some great moments along the way.

Sassy (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)

Cats rule and dogs drool, or at least that’s what Sassy, voiced by Sally Field, would lead you to believe in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. As her name implies, this furry heroine didn’t take crap from either of her canine companions, though she did come through for them on more than one occasion.

Garfield (The Garfield Cartoon, Movies, And Comics)

When it comes to iconic cats, few hold a lasagna-scented candle to Garfield. Yeah, he’s a grump and pretty much hates everything besides lasagna, his bed, and Grandma in Garfield’s Thanksgiving, but it’s all part of his charm.

Cat (Breakfast At Tiffany's)

Would Breakfast at Tiffany’s work without Holly Golightly's (Audrey Hepburn) cat? Yeah, more likely than not. However, this pesky, hungry, and adorable orange cat makes the 1961 romantic comedy so much more enjoyable.

Milo (The Adventures Of Milo And Otis)

Though The Adventures of Milo and Otis has been marred by controversy in the decades since its release, there’s no denying that Milo, the cat at the center of the film, is unforgettable. Again, probably for the wrong reasons, but so it goes.

Tonto (Harry And Tonto)

Harry and Tonto resulted in Art Carney winning the Academy Award for Best Actor at the 47th Academy Awards thanks to his portrayal of a man going on a road trip with his pet cat. That cat, Tonto, would end up being one of the most iconic movie pets of all time, thanks in part to looking fresh hitchhiking across the American landscape.

Jinx The Cat (Meet The Parents)

Was Jinx the cat a force of evil in Meet the Parents? Yeah, there’s no denying that. However, there’s also no denying the fact that Jack Byrnes’ (Robert De Niro) most-trusted family member is pretty much the most impressive cat in big-screen history. Like, this cat does its business in the toilet for crying out loud.

Ulysses (Inside Llewyn Davis)

No matter how many times we watch Inside Llewyn Davis, we cannot get enough of Ulysses, the cat Oscar Isaac’s down-on-his-luck folk singer brings along with him on his perilous odyssey. Pretty much the second lead of the film, this precocious little cat is always getting into mischief, as all cats should.

Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)

Though the cat that played Thackery Bink reportedly wasn’t the best co-star on the set of Hocus Pocus, let’s speak ill of this bewitched black cat. A boy trapped in a feline body, this beloved movie was always quick with a joke or nudge in the right direction.

Goose (Captain Marvel)

Okay, Goose isn’t technically a cat but a flerken, but you try telling that to everyone who fell in love with this intergalactic being in 2019’s Captain Marvel. If she can melt Nick Fury’s heart (even if her scratch led to him adopting his signature eyepatch) and pretty much everyone else in the movie, she’s more than deserving of a spot.

Mr. Bigglesworth (The Austin Powers Movies)

It’s not all that hard to feel bad for Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr. Evil’s cat from the Austin Powers movies. This guy started out as a long-haired Persian with a beautiful coat and ended up becoming some hairless hench-cat of a crazed madman. Despite his appearance, we’d still let him make biscuits.

Mrs. Norris (The Harry Potter Movies)

Though Mrs. Norris was a rather unpleasant cat that was often doing the bidding of Argus Finch in the Harry Potter movies, there’s still a place for her in the hall of cats. This evil feline was a stickler for the rules and looked cute despite being a pain in the butt.

Oliver (Oliver & Company)

An animated feline version of Oliver Twist? Say no more! The adorable kitten at the center of Oliver & Company managed to steal the show and our hearts, which was no easy task as he shared so much time on screen with a stray dog voiced by Billy Joel.

Puss In Boots (The Shrek And Puss In Boots Movies)

There’s so much to think about with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and much of that is to do with Antonio Banderas’ titular swashbuckling cat. Ever since the character was introduced back in Shrek 2, he’s found a way to entertain audiences with his infectious charm and enchanting nature. Plus, cats with beards should be more common.

DC (That Darn Cat)

That Darn Cat! is a classic Disney film that’s just as much fun watching in 2024 as it was in 1965, and a lot of that is because of DC the Cat. This wise Siamese cat becomes the center of a bank robbery investigation and finds a permanent place in our hearts for his heroics along the way.

Keanu (Keanu)

You know when an entire movie plot centers around someone trying to get their kitten back it’s going to be a good time. And that’s exactly what happens in this 2016 comedy starring Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key. Plus, the cat is voiced by Keanu Reeves, which adds so much.

Don Corleone's Cat (The Godfather)

Though the unnamed cat in Don Corleone’s lap is only featured in one scene in The Godfather, the pet helps make that opening sequence one of the most iconic in all of cinema. Sometimes less is more, and that’s very much the case here.

Marlowe's Cat (The Long Goodbye)

Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye features what could be one of the best opening scenes in Hollywood history, and it all revolves around Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) finding his cat some food late at night, and that pretty much sets the tone of the friendship and the feline’s character.

Blofeld's Cat (From Russia With Love)

There have been countless villainous James Bond characters over the years, and that includes Blofeld’s cat, who appeared multiple times in the 007 movie timeline. With appearances in From Russia with Love to Spectre, this faithful feline has been there for the evil mastermind who’s constantly had a bone to pick with a certain MI6 agent.

Church (Pet Sematary)

Though not the best Stephen King adaptation, Pet Sematary does feature one of the prolific author’s most iconic characters: Church the Cat. Brought back to life after a tragic accident, the cat also known as Winston Churchhill is a force of pure evil in this 1989 horror classic and comes up with some diabolical ways to hurt (and kill) people.

The Entire Cat Cast (The Aristocats)

Everybody wants to be a cat, at least that’s what the feline cast in Disney’s The Aristocats wants you to believe. And guess what, they’re not wrong. The cats at the center of this timeless animated classic do it all, including stealing our hearts.

Jake (The Cat From Outer Space)

Jake, also known as Zunar-J-5/9 Doric 4-7, isn’t really a cat, but we’ll have to let it slide because pretty much everyone he meets in The Cat from Outer Space thinks he’s just a normal feline. This 1978 Disney flick sees the mysterious lifeform get in all kinds of trouble, looking cute the whole time.

Pyewacket (Bell, Book And Candle)

Not just a normal everyday Siamese cat, Pyewacket is a powerful (and adorable) supernatural entity in Bell, Book and Candle, the 1958 adaptation of the play of the same name. One of the best cases of “more than meets the eye,” Pyewacket is one of those iconic and memorable cats we just couldn’t stop thinking about, even if we wanted.

Buttercup (The Hunger Games Movies)

Though everyone is obsessed with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), and for good reason, we couldn’t not include Buttercup from The Hunger Games movies on this list. Sure, he’s not the most handsome of cats and doesn’t appear all that much, but there’s a certain charm that makes him unforgettable.

Tao (The Incredible Journey)

Based on the novel of the same name, The Incredible Journey follows three pets – Luath the labrador retriever, Bodger the bull terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat – as they go to great lengths to make their way back home. And while there are a lot of similarities with Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, essentially a star-studded remake, this 1963 Disney movie doesn’t need celebrity voices to make you fall in love with its pets. This is especially true for Tao, who comes through big on more than one occasion. Hunting, scouting, and putting his life on the line to save his canine friends are just part of his incredible feats.

The Alley Cats (Batman Returns)

Do the alley cats in Batman Returns have some mysterious powers? It seems to be that way, as they seemingly bring Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) back from the dead and transform her into Catwoman, one of the most iconic comic book characters of all time. The anti-hero/villain who steals Bruce Wayne’s (Michael Keaton) heart while also pulling off some insane heists along the way, pretty much gets her powers (and nine lives) from this pack of mysterious strays.

Kovacs' Cat (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Though the cat belonging to Deputy Vilmos Kovacs (Jeff Goldblum) in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel suffers a rather sudden and unfortunate fate at the hands of J.G. Jopling (Willem Dafoe), he makes for an unforgettable big-screen feline in his limited screentime. We’re not saying the cat makes this one of Anderson’s best movies, but he certainly doesn’t hurt.

Mike Tyson's Tiger (The Hangover)

Cats come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s the case for Mike Tyson’s tiger in The Hangover. This massive apex predator makes for the perfect pet for the larger-than-life boxing legend and also leads to some of the funniest bits in the 2009 comedy. We just wish there was more of the tiger (and Iron Mike) to go around.

The Turkish Cats (Kedi)

Though technically a documentary and not a feature film, Kedi does feature some unforgettable cats. Set in Istanbul, the documentary follows the lives of thousands of street cats that live in the iconic city. Danger, cuteness, and a whole lot of heart can be found in this charming film.

Azrael the Cat (Doctor Sleep)

A cat that knows when people are about to cross over into the Great Beyond? Say no more. That’s the case for Azrael the Cat in Doctor Sleep, a mysterious and powerful feline that sits with dying patients, offering them slight comfort before they go to sleep for the final time.

Ser Pounce (Game Of Thrones)

The fate of Ser Pounce was left up in the air after Cersei went all crazy near the end of Game of Thrones, and we’re not sure he survived the attack on King’s Landing, but at least Tommen’s pet cat looked adorable while he was still around.

While fans of musicals know where to go when they want to see characters breaking out in song left and right, there's something joyous about a random music number finding its way into movies across any genre. It has happened far more than you might think. Watch out for these awesome jump scares of song-and-dance numbers in comedies, science fiction, dramas and so forth. They've made iconic movies even more so! 

“Johnny B. Goode” - Back To The Future (1985) 

Even though the crux of Back To Future is as a time travel comedy, it also has one of the greatest music numbers in a movie. During the Enchantment Under The Sea dance, where Marty McFly’s parents are supposed to fall in love, Michael J. Fox performs an electric rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” It’s no wonder the movie has since inspired a Broadway musical. 

“Come and Get Your Love” - Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

There’s been a few notable Marvel music moments over the years, but few compare to Guardians of the Galaxy opening with Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill singing and dancing in the middle of an alien planet to Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” alongside extra-terrestrial creatures. It’s the perfect way to start the trilogy and introduce Star-Lord. 

"Thriller" - 13 Going On 30 (2004) 

In the super fun romantic comedy, 13 Going On 30, Jennifer Garner plays a young girl named Jenna Rink, who dreams she is “thirty, flirty and thriving” and wakes up seventeen years later. In one of the highlight scenes of the film, Jenna brings together a whole party of 30-somethings to do the famous “Thriller” dance from Michael Jackson’s music video. 

“I’m Just Ken” - Barbie (2023) 

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is full of great music scenes and bright pink, but none quite like Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” sequence. In the third act of the movie, Ken breaks into song to express how it feels to be an accessory to Barbie all the time. The original song, reminiscent of "Singin’ In The Rain," earned an Oscar nomination (which surprised Gosling) after being penned by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt for the flick. 

“Day-O” - Beetlejuice (1988) 

Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice is a ball of a gothic comedy about a couple who die suddenly and hire a bio-exorcist named Beetlejuice to haunt the new tenants living in their home. One way he causes calamity to the household is by having them sing and dance to "The Banana Boat Song" at the dinner table against their will. 

'You Never Can Tell' - Pulp Fiction (1994) 

Quentin Tarantino’s stylish crime film includes an iconic dance scene between John Travolta’s Vincent Vega and Uma Thurman’s Mia Wallace while they are at an old school diner together. Mia casually has Vincent enter a dance contest with her. When the two characters do the twist, it’s just one of many scenes that make Pulp Fiction one of the best ‘90s movies.   

“You Make My Dreams” - (500) Days Of Summer (2009) 

(500) Days of Summer takes audiences through the unexpected love and breakup story of Summer and Tom, and has a blast playing with structure throughout. In one unexpected scene that depicts how it feels to fall in love, Tom dances in the street with a group of dancers to Hall & Oates “You Make My Dreams.” 

“Peaches” - The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) 

Never did we think Bowser would sing a piano ballad in The Super Mario Bros. Movie! In the 2023 animated film based on the beloved Nintendo franchise, Jack Black’s Bowser confesses his love for Princess Peach by singing “Peaches, peaches, peaches.” It became a viral hit we all couldn’t stop listening to when it hit theaters. 

“You Don’t Own Me” - The First Wives Club (1996) 

The 1996 comedy, The First Wives Club, ends in the best way: a music number! After Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton’s characters complete their goal of getting back at their ex husbands, they celebrate in their matching white suits by singing and dancing to “You Don’t Own Me.” 

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” - 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) 

In the romantic comedy, 10 Things I Hate About You, Heath Ledger’s cool guy character, Patrick Verona surprised both Julia Stiles’ Kat Stratford and audiences alike when he randomly broke out into song, with the help of the high school band. Patrick goes all out to woo Kat after being paid off to win her affections, and this scene is a good indicator that he’s going above and beyond. 

“Get Down Saturday Night” - Ex Machina (2014) 

In the A24 science fiction movie Ex Machina, it came out of absolute nowhere when Oscar Issac’s Nathan Bateman starts dancing with one of his A.I. androids to Oliver Cheatham’s “Get Down Saturday Night.” While it’s very much random to see a dance number in such a serious and foreboding film, it adds to the unique character building of Isaac’s role. 

“Cuban Pete” - The Mask (1994) 

Jim Carrey hilariously sings and dances to “Cuban Pete” during The Mask sequence where he ends up coercing the entire police force into singing and dancing with him while they try to pursue his arrest. In a movie as cartoony as The Mask, it’s not necessarily unexpected, but it does make us wish the whole movie was filled with wacky music numbers. 

“I Say A Little Prayer” - My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) 

During Julia Roberts’ My Best Friend’s Wedding, Julianne attends the wedding of her longtime bestie (Dermot Mulroney’s Michael). During one particularly memorable scene, the whole wedding party and guests take part in singing ‘I Say A Little Prayer” after Julianne’s friend George inspires them to. How did they all know the words? 

“Bye Bye Bye” - Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) 

At the beginning of the third Deadpool movie, Marvel fans were certainly surprised to see Ryan Reynolds’ comic book character doing the official dance to *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” in the snow while flinging around the corpse of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine from Logan in a fight against the TVA. What a way to open a movie and bring the Merc with a Mouth to the MCU! 

"I Put A Spell On You" - Hocus Pocus (1993) 

When you place Bette Midler in a movie like Hocus Pocus, you want her to sing, but who knows, the filmmakers could have let us down. Thankfully, director Kenny Ortega, who would go on to helm the High School Musical movies, had the actress sing “I Put A Spell On You” during the 1993 movie to have the witch literally cast a curse over Halloween partygoers during the non-musical. 

"Bohemian Rhapsody" - Wayne's World (1992)

Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” received a major bump up in pop culture back in 1992 when it was featured in a famous scene in Wayne’s World. While the movie itself is all about music fans, there’s something totally original and fun about this being in the comedy. Then, Mike Myers was cast in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody as a nod to the whole thing, 

"Twist and Shout" - Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

John Hughes’ beloved coming-of-age movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, features a massive music number when Matthew Broderick’s high schooler, who is on a wild day of hooky, ends up lip-syncing The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” after jumping on a parade float. 

“Age of Aquarius” - The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) 

At the end of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Steve Carell finally partakes in the deed. To illustrate the joys of this, Carell and the cast have a dance sequence to “Age of Aquarius.” It’s pretty hilarious to see actors like Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen dancing shirtless to the song in the comedy that did not otherwise call itself a musical. 

“Everybody (Backstreet's Back)” - This Is The End (2013) 

During the finale of This Is The End, Seth Rogen and friends find themselves in heaven after facing a particularly hilarious apocalypse. When they get there they are told they can dream up anything and Jay Baruchel thinks up the Backstreet Boys appearing to sing and dance to “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” and yes, they fully go into the choreo! 

“Afternoon Delight” - Anchorman (2004) 

During the 2004 goofy comedy Anchorman, Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy randomly breaks into song to belt “Afternoon Delight” after the other guys ask him what being in love is like. In the scene, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner start to sing it with him in perfect unison like they are some sort of barbershop quartet.

"Por Ti Volare" - Step Brothers (2008) 

At Step Brothers’ “Catalina Wine Mixer,” Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly’s characters are coerced into taking the stage. What’s particularly unexpected about this music number is Ferrell singing Italian opera with the song "Por Ti Volaré." It also evolves into a dream sequence and epic drum solo that leaves all attendees speechless. 

“Wise Up” - Magnolia (1999) 

In Paul Thomas Anderson’s fantastic drama, Magnolia, the movie took a turn when all the characters begin to sing Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up.” The music number helps evoke the emotions the characters are collectively feeling even though they are seemingly experiencing them alone. Mann wrote original music for the whole soundtrack but the rest of the songs were not sung by the characters. 

“Try A Little Tenderness” - Pretty In Pink (1986) 

In John Hughes’ Pretty In Pink, Jon Cryer’s Duckie brought down the house in one scene at a record store where he walks in and goes completely all out lip-syncing and dancing to Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness” in front of Molly Ringwald’s Andie. 

"Love Me Tender" - Wild At Heart (1990)

David Lynch’s Wild At Heart ends with a music number when Nicolas Cage’s Sailor runs over the hoods and roofs of cars to approach Laura Dern’s Lula and their child to sing Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” to profess his love to her. It’s a callback to a previous moment where Sailor says he’ll only sing that song to his wife. 

“A Place Called Slaughter Race” - Ralph Breaks The Internet (2018) 

While Walt Disney animated movies are most definitely known for their music sequences, the Wreck-It Ralph movies never established themselves as musicals. So when Vanellope Von Schweetz got her own “I Want” song for the sequel from composer Alan Menken, it was completely unexpected, but an excellent chance for Disney to do what it does best! 

“You Always Hurt The One You Love” - Blue Valentine (2010) 

The dramatic tale of a married couple’s relationship over the years, Blue Valentine, starring Ryan Gosling, is no La La Land, but it does employ the music talents of the actor for one music number where his character strums the '60s pop standard on a ukulele in a fun-loving sequence between himself and Michelle Williams.  

“Somebody To Love” - Ella Enchanted (2004) 

In the fairytale rom-com, Ella Enchanted, we were caught off guard when Anne Hathaway’s titular character breaks into song to Queen’s “Somebody To Love” while entertaining a pub full of giants. Hathaway is well-known now for her set of pipes, but at the time she was not yet known to be a singer. 

"Ballet Sequence" - I'm Thinking Of Ending Things (2020) 

Towards of the end of Charlie Kaufman's Netflix movie, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, two ballet dancers perform to represent the perfect ideal of a romance amidst the movie itself showing the realities of the lead's relationship throughout this surrealist movie. 

"Old Time Rock & Roll" - Risky Business (1983)

In what has become an iconic sequence, everyone expects Tom Cruise to roll up pants-free in nothing but a dress shirt and white socks to jam to “Old Time Rock & Roll.” But, considering the rest of the movie is more of a coming-of-age comedy, it’s a rather startling scene in context. 

“As Time Goes By” - Casablanca (1942) 

One of the most memorable elements of the classic Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman movie is the song “As Time Goes By.” The song holds a sentimental value to the movie’s leads and ex lovers, Rick and Ilsa, and comes back to haunt them when they are unexpectedly reunited. It’s one of the most iconic movie songs – as Rick Blaine famously says, “Play it again, Sam.”  

“Why Don’t You Do Right” - Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988) 

Sure, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is a Disney movie with cartoon characters left and right, it’s also a completely unique movie that turns the whole plot on its head (a few times over). It’s not a musical, but Jessica Rabbit singing 1936’s “Why Don’t You Do Right?” at a jazz club really sets the tone for what a music number looks like in it. 

"Canned Heat"- Napoleon Dynamite (2004) 

Then there’s the dance sequence in Napoleon Dynamite, where Jon Heder’s Napoleon performs a very skilled dance in front of other high school students to help market his friend Pedro in his election for class president. The best part? Apparently, Heder “winged” the dance sequence, per Business Insider. 

It's so fun to see how music numbers have popped up in movies across all genres over the years. They make the movies more memorable and give the songs an added boost.

For all the excitement built into the upcoming Marvel TV schedule, which hit new heights thanks to SDCC and D23, my horror fanaticism necessitates that I’m most tuned into the long-awaited WandaVision spinoff Agatha All Along. The mystical and spooky miniseries will finally arrive in September, with episodes releasing weekly all through Halloween season, and stars Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza have stoked that hype-filled energy further by name-dropping some betwitching cinema faves as Agatha’s inspirations.

It may not be as gory or psychologically twisted as some other upcoming horror TV shows, but it sounds like Agatha All Along could be one of Marvel’s darkest efforts yet, and the rare comic book series to focus on a perceived villain. (Albeit one who had her memory wiped the last time we saw her.) And Plaza spoke to its scarier nature by bringing up one of Neve Campbell’s early genre efforts; no, not Scream. As she put it when talking to Total Film:

The Craft is a great example of a movie that blurs the lines for its protagonists and antagonists for a while before things get more hectic, and I can easily see Agatha All Along doing the same kind of thing. Although in this case, it may be an issue of the characters starting off evil and then gaining audience sympathy as other more dangerous threats come in, rather than the other way around.

That’s certainly not the only popular ‘90s flick that was mentioned by Agatha’s stars, with Kathryn Hahn herself calling out several, saying:

Obviously Nancy Meyers isn’t known for her horror cred, and Hocus Pocus is far goofier than freaky, but both comparisons speak more to the emotional core of the series and the sisterhood relationship. As far as spooky, family-friendly vibes go, though, the trio of Practical Magic, Poltergeist and E.T. are quite a mix, but I can definitely see how each could play muse to a certain story beat or thematic element.

For what it’s worth, co-star Joe Locke also laid out a few film references that he picked up on when filming, such as two of the best horror movies of all time, The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby. Though he actually called out The Goonies as being “the big one.” If someone has to do the Truffle Shuffle to put someone else in a hypnotic trance, I am here for it.

Hahn has offered up a “fantastic” tease or two in the past, even if we still have no idea how Marvel-centric those hints were. Personally, I’m sticking with my theory that the show’s constant name changes were the work of Mephisto, but won’t be too flabbergasted to find out that I’m wrong.

Find out what other horror movie and TV influences are there to be recognized when Agatha All Along takes over your Disney+ subscription on Wednesday, September 18.

What’s harder to land than a hit movie? Try a hit series of movies. This list of titles is full of movies that, through one reason or another, we’re shocked haven’t become bigger franchises in the Hollywood landscape.

Master and Commander: Far Side of the World

Director Peter Weir’s seafaring epic starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany has become a fan favorite over time but somehow didn’t catch fire upon initial release. A Master and Commander reboot is in the works, but missing out on more of this pair is still a tragedy. 

Battlestar Galactica

How in the Frak did Caprica not catch on with people? We could have had even more answers into Ronald D. Moore’s reimagining of Battlestar Galactica, and yet people didn’t seem ready for it. Even with the defunct Peacock reboot and an attempted movie adaptation proposed in the past, this sci-fi landmark can’t seem to catch a break, which makes you wonder just what went wrong.

John Carter

The world failed John Carter, but somehow dug straight into Avatar without a question. Holding the record for the longest period of book-to-film adaptation, the legendary Edgar Rice Burroughs’ space opera of Mars finally found itself adapted into a 2012 cult favorite, but failed to turn into a franchise for director Andrew Stanton to call his own. 

Dredd

It’s a shame that Dredd’s story of going from a beleaguered production to a fan favorite never paid off with sequels or spin-off series capitalizing on Karl Urban’s time in the role. Even with streaming success boosting the picture’s profile, there’s still no sign of anyone following this 2000 A.D. comic’s second cinematic adaptation with another turn at bat. 

Mortal Engines

With the YA adaptation market being what it is, it’s rather surprising that Mortal Engines couldn’t capture the same readers and viewers who made The Hunger Games an enduring success. Even having the pedigree of producer Peter Jackson flexing his post-Lord of the Rings muscles wasn’t enough to lift this inventive dystopian tale into the consciousness. 

Akira

There have been several efforts to create a live-action adaptation of author Katsuhiro Otomo’s iconic manga Akira, stretching back for almost as long as the 1988 anime film brought the books to the world’s attention. With major directors like Stephen Norrington, Albert Hughes, and Taika Waititi being drafted over the decades to try and make it so, the reasons for its failure are just as frustrating as not seeing a more accurate portrayal of the manga’s extensive story. 

The Nice Guys

You’d think someone would slip writer/director Shane Black a Christmas present by putting The Nice Guys back on the board as a potential franchise. Alas, not even Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe’s comedic chemistry has made it easy to revisit this fan favorite. Plus, a potential female-led TV reboot has also gone MIA, depriving us all of more clever mysteries punctuated by witty, R-rated punchlines.

Warcraft

Much like Pacific Rim, Legendary co-production Warcraft was a long-legged box office success with modest enough results to keep people asking for a sequel. While one could understand why it never happened, it’s baffling that a reboot or even an adaptation of other Blizzard franchises like Starcraft weren’t attempted to try and get people revved up all over again. 

Sahara

Even Matthew McConaughey understood that Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt novels could have been something truly cinematic. With follow-ups intended to continue past Sahara’s 2006 theatrical release, that was indeed a possibility. But even with that film failing to catch fire, how has someone not tried to get this potential American James Bond competitor back on the market? 

Alita: Battle Angel

With solid box office at its back, a vocal fanbase still pulling for a sequel, and the likes of James Cameron producing, Alita: Battle Angel was always born to be a franchise. Sadly, despite Cameron seeming to confirm an Alita sequel in development, nothing has been set in stone. 

Eragon

YA and Fantasy are two realms that always seem to be fresh for mining in show business. Author Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, kicked off by the novel Eragon, is one such property that touches both of those bases; seemingly destined for future greatness. At least, that seemed to be the case before the 2006 movie adaptation was released, much to the chagrin of fans of the text. 

Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

The Fast Saga has never been quiet about its aspirations to become a huge and healthy franchise. That’s practically why Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw was greenlit in the first place. But somehow the Dwayne Johnson/Jason Statham spin-off hasn’t been given much priority, even with its main-line franchise due to say its last farewell at some point. 

Tron

While a Tron threequel is in motion, and with a clear finish line in sight, the failure to see this saga entrench itself further in pop culture is a crying shame. Considering how well Tron: Legacy did at the box office, and how Tron: Uprising’s ambitious storyline still remains unfinished, we should have returned to the grid a long time ago. 

Bridesmaids

Admittedly, director Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids wasn’t built for a sequel. That hasn’t stopped lightning-hot comedies in the past, and considering this movie was a lightning bolt hit akin to The Hangover films, one wouldn’t be mistaken in thinking that we missed out by not spending more time with Kristen Wiig and the rest of the insanely stacked ensemble from this laugh riot. 

Interview With The Vampire

Writer Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles novels eventually saw justice done by them with the start of the AMC series adaptation of Interview with the Vampire. Tom Cruise’s shock at the lack of a sequel proves that he would have been up for more madness as Lestat, and knowing that someone prevented this from happening in the decision-making process really bites. 

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Considering Ferris Bueller’s Day Off actually landed a TV series that went beyond its source material, you’d think that the John Hughes/Matthew Broderick hit could have secured at least one more movie in its canon. Alas, the closest we’ve ever gotten to such a prospect is a Paramount+ spin-off film, and the Honda Super Bowl ad that returned Broderick to the role in 2012. 

Fear Street

Saved from the clutches of non-existence, Netflix snagged director Leigh Janiak’s Fear Street trilogy after the Fox/Disney merger, making the films a streaming hit. And yet, only one follow-up seems to be on the books at the time, even in a world where author R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps saga has turned into a streaming TV hit. 

The Baby-Sitter’s Club

Whether you’re thinking of the 1995 film adaptation or either of the TV projects that author Ann M. Martin’s iconic book series spawned, the fact that The Baby-Sitter’s Club never caught on is something that’s perplexing. With the popularity of the long-running series’ literary incarnation as its foundation, there’s still a potential for someone to figure out how to keep Dawn, Mallory, and the rest of the girls telling their stories for generations to come.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is more than likely the movie that’s helped actor Henry Cavill continue to associate his name as adjacent to the James Bond franchise. This light-hearted and funny action crusher could have been a competition to 007 himself, and still could be if the right studio executives set their minds to making it happen.

The Last Starfighter

It’s almost amazing how The Last Starfighter’s long developing legacy-quel, with Rogue One writer Gary Whitta attached, can’t seem to escape the atmosphere of development hell. If you ask us, we blame the Ko-Dan Empire for this serious lack of progress. 

The Mummy

“Lack of effort” isn’t the primary cause that killed The Mummy’s potential third sequel. But at the same time, it doesn’t feel like there was never enough hustle to try and get the series back on the rails with Brendan Fraser and company involved. At best, all Universal has to show for things is a failed reboot with Tom Cruise, and a lot of fans hoping Rick O’Connell and his family will return. 

Wanted

Director Timur Bekmambetov still likes to talk about the potential sequel to his 2008 hit Wanted, but that talk seems to be going nowhere. This James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie starring hit still has its fans, but apparently none of them are in positions of power to get a second picture into the works. 

District 9

One of Neill Blomkamp’s most promising sequel pitches has to be the follow-up he was planning to continue the story of his breakout hit District 9. As the 2009 sci-fi movie left off on a huge cliffhanger, further exploration of the worlds occupied by Wikus (Shartlo Copley) and “Prawn” Christopher (Jason Cope) just might have expanded this hard-hitting story across the galaxy. 

Edge of Tomorrow

If Tom Cruise wants to do something, he tends to get his way on the matter at hand. A potential Edge of Tomorrow sequel is one of the rare cases that, at the moment, proves this isn’t always the case. Perhaps it’s just a matter of time before Tom makes this seemingly impossible feat a reality. 

Galaxy Quest

Across the spectrum of movies and TV, the potential continuation of 1999’s Galaxy Quest has been a subject of great work and much promise. While potential successor efforts seem to have mostly halted after the death of Alan Rickman, it’s still somewhat surprising that there weren’t more attempts made closer to the release of the original. 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy

While there’s not a “definitive” version of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the places the 2005 cinematic incarnation could have gone were numerous. That unfulfilled promise could have been realized through the more recent Hulu series that was pitched, but the radio silence on that front speaks volumes about the possibility. 

The Rocketeer

Despite its initial box office troubles, The Rocketeer has continued to thrill audiences young and old. There’s been quite a bit of talk over the years involving legacy-quels pitches, but as it currently stands all that’s actually happened is a Disney Junior series that ran between 2019 and 2020.

James Bond

Over 60 years of history is pretty amazing with any film franchise, especially the James Bond series of movies. But with so many potentials for spin-offs and book-accurate adaptations, the most the powers that be have done to branch out this particular brand is the Prime Video exclusive reality series 007: Road to a Million.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington’s exploits in trying to take over Christmas are legendary, even with The Nightmare Before Christmas’ rocky start in theaters. While there is a video game sequel, as well as adjacent adventures in sagas like Kingdom Hearts, no cinematic continuation to Tim Burton and Henry Selick’s perennial favorite has been made.

National Treasure

What’s tougher than stealing the Declaration of Independence? Try making a theatrical sequel to the National Treasure movies. Ending on a cliffhanger that seemed to set up a natural continuation with a third movie, the short-lived Disney+ series National Treasure: Edge of History is the closest we’ve gotten to re-entering the world of Nicholas Cage’s iconic treasure hunter Benjamin Gates. 

Sherlock Holmes

There could be hope for a third Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movie, especially with his Young Sherlock series potentially reinvigorating interest in the IP. The wait for such a prospect has certainly been a killer, but fans of Steven Moffat’s modern adaptation of Sherlock would probably fight for the title of “most disappointed fans on Baker Street,” as that BBC series stopped after four rounds of adventure. 

Hocus Pocus

We understand that Hocus Pocus has a sequel movie, and there’s another round that’s looking to get underway. But to be completely honest, it’s surprising that there wasn’t a larger scrum to dig up the Sanderson Sisters a lot earlier, especially when the old days of Disney direct-to-video sequels would have eaten this prospect up, and asked for more.

When spooky season rolls around each October, Hocus Pocus has long been one of the great fun Halloween movies for families to watch. In 2022, Disney offered audiences with a blast of an annual double feature for the holiday season with Hocus Pocus 2. Now Bette Midler just spoke about the potential of Hocus Pocus 3 giving the Sanderson sisters a trilogy!

Hocus Pocus 2 hit Disney+ during the 2022 fall season and broke a major record for the total number of minutes watched by a streaming film across its debut weekend (2.73 billion), per Deadline. The massive appeal of the movie had us wondering why Disney didn’t send it to theaters. So it didn’t come as a surprise when word came that Hocus Pocus 3 had begun development last summer. When Midler just spoke about Hocus Pocus, here’s what she shared:

While it's not news to us that another Hocus Pocus 3 is happening, it sounds like it’s not a done deal! While speaking to SiriusXM, Midler shared that Disney is “gingerly” and “gently” talking about another movie since the sequel was so huge. Jen D’Angelo, who wrote the second film, is reportedly working on the next script, with the sequel’s director, Anne Fletcher, also attached. It should be noted, though, that last year’s WGA writer’s strike likely delayed things.

Her words came after she was asked about if she knew the original 1993 movie would take off as much as it has. As she continued:

Midler also said that it was a “real surprise” to see how successful Hocus Pocus became because the movie didn’t take off right away. Hocus Pocus actually bombed at the box office, though oddly enough, Disney decided to release it in July (apparently to cater to kids who were off from school). The movie came out the same summer as Jurassic Park, which obviously dominated! Midler also said this about her beloved character:

As Midler shares, Winifred is such a fun character for her to play, even if she is the least like her. Over the past 30 years, Winifred and the rest of the Sanderson sisters, played by Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, have become such popular characters that they are regularly tributed during Halloween. While we wait for their next movie, you can stream both Hocus Pocus movies right now with a Disney+ subscription.

The best kids movies appeal to both older and younger audiences, assuring an enjoyable experience for the whole family. However, to achieve this, sometimes Hollywood incorporates certain jokes, themes, or even entire plot lines that are not appealing to kids at all and might leave them speaking with a colorful new vocabulary, making jokes way above their age level, or even traumatized for life. The following are a few examples of some notable, beloved children’s movies that, looking back, we might have been too young for.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)

Had it existed back then, The Hunchback of Notre Dame could have won the Best Animated Feature Oscar for being a very compelling period drama set in 15th-Century Paris. However, the story of the Disney classic — based on Victor Hugo’s dark novel involving an anomalous man nearly killed as an infant and an elderly priest (reimagined as a judge in the film) uncomfortably and passionately obsessed with a young dancer — is not particularly ideal for children’s entertainment at its core.

Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971) 

For years, fans have been re-analyzing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and coming up with wild fan theories to darken the scrumdiddlyumptious classic, but why bother? The film’s dark themes are spelled out for us pretty clearly, especially in the infamous tunnel sequence when the titular chocolatier (played by Gene Wilder) recites a foreboding poem as unsettling images appear around the boat full of passengers.

The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

Before there was Toy Story, the ultimate animated adventure about sentient inanimate objects was The Brave Little Toaster, in which a group of old appliances set out to find their “master” after being left at a woodland cabin. The great thing about this classic is that it teaches children to be more compassionate and sentimental, but it does so through very upsetting means, depicting the cruel treatment of our innocent protagonists.

Labyrinth (1986)

Director Jim Henson’s cult favorite fantasy, Labyrinth, is already pretty dark with its creepy puppetry and plot involving a kidnapped infant. However, it is the predatory undertones of David Bowie's character, Goblin King Jareth, when interacting with Jennifer Conolly's young protagonist, Sarah, that really makes it hard to recommend to anyone under 13.

Pinocchio (1940)

Because most fairy tales are also cautionary tales, the sight of Pinocchio smoking a cigar after running away to Pleasure Island does not bother us too much. It is the way the titular, enchanted puppet from the Disney classic learns his lesson — seeing other runaway children transformed into donkeys — that leaves us wondering if this story takes its teachable moment a little too far.

One Hundred And One Dalmatians (1961)

Watching dogs save the day in One Hundred and One Dalmatians is what makes the animated film such a rewarding and joyful experience. However, when you consider the fact that these Dalmatians are forced to spring into action because Cruella de Vil wants to skin the spotted puppies for her own fur coat, it makes one hesitant to show it to any younger canine lovers.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

It would be childish of us to think that this musical adaptation of Ian Fleming’s children's novel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is inappropriate because of the title alone. Our concern is the fact that it takes place in a land called "Vulgaria" and one of its extremely discomforting main villains is literally referred to as the "Child Catcher.”

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

There is an argument to be made that Who Framed Roger Rabbit was never even intended for children in the first place and only earned its PG rating because they were more common at the time, let alone the fact that many of the characters are animated. Even then, this murder mystery story featuring a cigar-smoking baby with racy dialogue, a hard-drinking protagonist, and a sultry femme fatale (Kathleen Turner's Jessica Rabbit) would have never been PG in this day and age.

The Goonies (1985)

Director Richard Donner and producer Steven Spielberg’s enduring cult favorite, The Goonies, offer a relatively accurate depiction of what might happen if a group of children tried to live out their adventurous fantasies for real. The result includes a great deal of swearing, violence, innuendoes, and constant peril that younger viewers should find distressing.

The Incredibles (2004)

Because it is an animated Disney property and one of Pixar’s best films, we often forget that Brad Bird’s The Incredibles is one of the darkest superhero movies of its time. If the action thriller was not animated, its violence (which involves children) and other various adult elements would have surely cost it its PG rating. 

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Ron Howard’s big-screen attempt at adapting a Dr. Seuss book into a live-action feature, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, has quite a bit of crude humor and a certain mean-spirited tone that the author is certainly not known for. One particular moment that surely went over younger viewers' heads is the scene when the infant Grinch (played as an adult by Jim Carrey) lands at the home of his adoptive mothers, where they are clearly throwing a swingers' party.

The Shrek Movies (2001-2010)

Watching all the Shrek movies is an almost entirely different experience for grown-ups than it is for children with mature jokes and references throughout. For instance, the first installment features Shrek’s (Mike Myers) comment about Lord Farquaad “compensating for something” with his large castle or a fairy tale-style recreation of O.J. Simpson's low-speed chase in 2004’s Shrek 2.

Mulan (1998)

As a film that takes place during a war, violence is to be expected, but is also handled in an impressively tame manner in Mulan. However, what people often tend to forget is how much partial nudity is in this animated Disney classic, particularly when the titular hero (voiced by Ming-Na Wen), posing as a man, is bathing in a lake and his suddenly joined by her fellow, male soldiers.

Ratatouille (2007)

Brad Bird’s Ratatouille is a delicious family treat, but not without its indulgences in adult humor. One notable scene from Pixar's culinary comedy sees Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano) begin to confess about Remy (Patton Oswalt) to Colette (Janeane Garofalo), he begins by saying, "I have a tiny, little…,” at which point she darts her eyes below his belt.

The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

Honestly, we believe that one of the things that makes The LEGO Batman Movie just as good as any live-action Batman movie is its more mature, but very clever, jokes. For instance, when Bruce Wayne (Will Arnett) first meets the young man who will be his ward and sidekick, the boy (voiced by Michael Cera) says his name is Richard Grayson, but most people call him "Dick," to which the aristocrat replies, "Well, children can be cruel."

Hocus Pocus (1993)

While certainly one of the more lighthearted movies about witches ever made, because of wall-to-wall innuendos and themes of child murder, calling Hocus Pocus a family movie is a bit of a stretch. Constant mentions of Max Dennison’s (Omri Katz) innocence (the reason why the Black Flame Candle successfully brings back the Sanderson Sisters) and a suggestive exchange between the witches and a bus driver are just a few notable examples.

Monster House (2006)

With a title like Monster House, you’d assume children should not be admitted anyway, but the horror elements are not really anything to be concerned by. However, the not-so-scary favorite does include moments of underage drinking, a reference to Chowder's mother's potential infidelity with her "personal trainer," and Chowder asking if they are in a "girl house" after Jenny calls a chandelier its "uvula."

Bee Movie (2007)

We suppose we should have realized that an animated movie co-written by and starring Jerry Seinfeld was not going to be just for the children. However, who could have expected that Seinfeld’s Bee Movie character — an insect named Barry B. Barrington — would have a crush on a human named Vanessa (Renée Zellweger) and that this strange interspecies romance would be expressed through many bizarre innuendoes?

Scooby-Doo (2002)

Writer James Gunn has said there exists an R-rated cut of Scooby-Doo — the live-action adaptation of the classic cartoon — and signs of that can be found throughout. Among them is the moment when Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) tells Mary-Jane (Isla Fisher) that she has his "favorite name" and when Freddy (Freddie Prinze Jr.), accidentally inhabiting Daphne's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) body, relishes in the ability to look at himself without clothing.

The Road To El Dorado (2000)

The influence of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour’s Road to… franchise in DreamWorks’ The Road to El Dorado is clear, right down to the off-beat and often suggestive humor. The most significant and often debated example from the animated film is when Chel (Rosie Perez) seduces Tulio (Kevin Kline), leading to a love scene that is offscreen, but easily heard.

Tarzan (1999)

It is pretty surprising when you remember that Disney’s animated version of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan is rated G as the violence is actually quite visceral. It is even more disturbing when it is subtle, such as in Clayton’s death scene, when the silhouette of him being hung by the neck with vines can be spotted.

All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)

The movie may be called All Dogs Go to Heaven, but there is one scene when Charlie (voiced by Burt Reynolds) visits the opposite end of the afterlife. That is only one pivotal, disturbing moment from the fantasy classic by animation legend Don Bluth, whose entire filmography has its fair share of nightmare fuel. 

Zootopia (2016)

There is a pretty funny and cleverly subtle adult joke from Zootopia that both kids and grown-ups may have missed. At one point, Judy (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) says, "I am just a dumb bunny, but we are good at multiplying.”

The Witches (1990)

One of the most sinister and truly grotesque depictions of witches — especially Anjelica Huston’s Eva Ernst — comes from a film intended as a “family picture.” Roald Dahl himself even agreed that director Nicolas Roeg’s adaptation of his 1983 novel, The Witches, was a little too scary for his taste.

Antz (1998)

DreamWorks' Antz is often considered the unintentional twin of Pixar's A Bugs Life, but the latter is far different, especially in terms of its genuine appeal to younger audiences. If it were not an animated film about insects, its innuendos, swearing, and plot involving a genocidal conspiracy would have easily earned it a PG-13 rating, at least.

The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie (2004)

The beloved animated TV show SpongeBob Squarepants has been criticized for a number of mature jokes and its 2004 movie spin-off is absolutely no exception and, in fact, far clearer to detect. To name just a few notable examples, SpongeBob (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) get hammered from ice cream at a bar,  the duo later gets launched back to Bikini Bottom by David Hasselhoff's pectorals, and Patrick dons fish nets during SpongeBob's performance of "Goofy Goober Rock."

Rango (2011)

There are plenty of jokes aimed toward the parents who took their children to the Oscar-winning Rango. For instance, when Johnny Depp's titular chameleon introduces his gang as a troupe of "thespians," one of the prairie dogs says, "That's illegal in seven states,” obviously confusing the word for, “lesbians.”

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

Based on special segments from the original animated series, The Adventures of Rocky and Bulwinkle and Friends, Mr. Peabody & Sherman sees the titular duo — a highly intelligent dog (voiced by Ty Burrell) and his adoptive human son (voiced by Max Charles) — accidentally cause a rip in the space-time continuum, which lands them in trouble. Luckily, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln agree to pardon Mr. Peabody, at which point — in the animated family film’s racist joke — Bill Clinton shows up to say, "I've done worse."

The Aristocats (1970)

When Disney+ started putting a content warning in front of older movies that contained insensitive or negatively stereotypical content, one such title was The Aristocrats. The animated film — which some still believe deserves a live-action remake — does, indeed, contain some insensitive racial stereotypes, as evident by how East Asian culture is depicted in “The Siamese Cat Song.”

Inside Out (2015)

There are many mature themes throughout Inside Out that are important for younger viewers to witness, but then there are some more humorous moments that likely go over their heads. For instance, when Fear wonders if Riley saw a bear and Disgust assures none in exist in San Francisco, Anger recalls seeing a hairy man who resembled a bear, in reference to a term from LGBTQ+ culture.

The Cat In The Hat (2003)

About 99.9 percent of the humor in star Mike Myers’ almost universally reviled adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat — following two siblings’ (played by Spencer Breslin and Dakota Fanning) adventures with a giant feline — is of the crudest, most crass, and most inappropriate kind. We could fill this entire list with examples, but we’ll just settle for the moment when The Cat calls a gardening tool a “dirty hoe.”

Cars (2006)

There are a quite a few overtly mature references in Pixar's Cars, such as when Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) gets “flashed” by a couple of fans who put on their high beams. Or, what about when Lightning walks in on Doc Hudson's (Paul Newman) surgery on the Sheriff or when he tells everyone Doc Hudson has three Piston Cups, to which Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) asks, "He did what in his cup?"

If you see no harm in showing these films to your children, we will not stop nor judge you. All we are asking is that you give it a little thought before you.

We have learned from some of the best fantasy movies and TV shows, many of the best sci-fi movies and TV shows, and most of the best horror movies and TV shows that we should beware of the things that go bump in the night. However, we have also seen quite a few exceptions to that rule, including in some of the funniest creature features of all time. So, for the time being, let’s forget about all the scary movie monsters that gave you nightmares and remember the aliens, ghosts, and other kinds of odd creatures who proved to be the kind of friends you could only dream of.

E.T. (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial)

Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial — the story of a young boy (played by Henry Thomas) who befriends a lost, lonely “spaceman” — changed everything we thought we knew about alien invasion movies. In fact, some claim that the lighthearted take on the subject — the highest-grossing movie of 1982, and ever at the time — is what turned off audiences from seeing John Carpenter’s The Thing, which is most definitely not about a friendly creature.

Gizmo (Gremlins)

In 1984’s Gremlins, the one member of a rare species known as the Mogwai who, thankfully, does not transform into a green, grim troublemaker is Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel). In fact, in 1990’s Gremlins 2: The New Batch, he finds the courage to help defend his human friends against them.

ALF (ALF)

The title character of the hit sitcom ALF (shorthand for “alien life form”) was not exactly a saint, with his sarcastic attitude and insatiable appetite for cats. However, out of all the extra-terrestrials to come out of the ‘80s, he is one of the few who would create the least problems in your house.

Casper (Casper)

Everything you need to know about Casper is in the Harvey Comics’ character’s classic theme song, which describes him as a friendly ghost. He is one of the few earthbound spirits you probably would not mind being haunted by, especially when compared to his three wicked uncles.

Bub (Day Of The Dead)

Zombie movies never gave audiences an undead character to root for before they met the unusually intelligent and surprisingly compassionate “Bub,” played by Sherman Howard in George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead. In fact, you could call the endearing reanimated corpse the real hero of this ’80s movie for the way he avenges the senseless murder of his handler and assists the compound’s remaining survivors.

Melvin Junko (The Toxic Avenger)

In Troma's cult-favorite 1984 superhero movie, The Toxic Avenger, Melvin Junko (Mark Torgl) used to be a 98-lb. gym custodian, until he fell into a vat of toxic waste. The accident transformed him into "a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength" (then played by Mitch Cohen) who uses his powers to protect the city of Tromaville.

The Amphibian Man (The Shape Of Water)

One of Doug Jones’ most acclaimed Guillermo del Toro movie roles is a bizarre, aquatic being known as the Amphibian Man, who longs for friendship but finds something deeper with the also non-speaking Elisa (Sally Hawkins). The characters’ interspecies romance in the beautiful Best Picture Oscar winner, 2017’s The Shape of Water, serves as an uplifting and thought-provoking metaphor for universal acceptance.

Ewoks (Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi)

While there are more than enough creatures from the Star Wars franchise we would rather avoid, there are also plenty who walk on the light side of the Force. Among the most endearing — not to mention cuddliest — are the Ewoks, who tend to get a bad rap among some fans, but that does not change the fact that they played a pivotal role in the Empire’s defeat at the end of Return of the Jedi.

Marceline (Adventure Time)

A nocturnal bloodsucker who truly deserves to be called “friendly” is rare, but one essential example of the like is Marceline from Adventure Time. Voiced by Olivia Olson, the Land of Ooo’s centuries-old “Vampire Queen” actually starts off as an enemy to Finn (Jeremy Shada) and Jake (John DiMaggio) when she throws them out of their own home but becomes one of the duo’s most trusted allies.

Toothless (How To Train Your Dragon)

DreamWorks Animation’s 2012 hit How to Train Your Dragon is set in a time when humans and dragons are natural enemies. However, that dynamic is changed forever when aspiring hunter Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) finds an injured dragon that he comes accept as a friend and gives the name “Toothless.”

Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)

In Disney’s animated 2002 favorite, Lilo & Stitch, we meet Experiment-626 (voiced by director Chris Sanders), a small, blue extra-terrestrial who was designed by Dr. Jumba Jookiba (David Ogden Stiers) to be an unstoppable seed of destruction. Yet, his personality would take a full 180 when he landed on Earth — specifically in Hawaii — and met a girl named Lilo (Daveigh Chase), who adopted him into her “ohana” and named him Stitch.

Billy Butcherson (Hocus Pocus)

In 1993’s Hocus Pocus, Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler) revives Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones) in hopes he will be a minion to her and her sisters, Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker). Unfortunately for her, the reanimated corpse’s hatred toward the witchy trio led him to help the group of kids trying to destroy them.

Dobby (The Harry Potter Movies)

In the Harry Potter books and the films they inspired, Dobby (voiced by Toby Jones) is a house elf who is indentured to a group of Dark Wizards who treat him terribly. However, he defies his masters’ orders to, instead, be of service to the Boy Who Lived (played by Daniel Radcliffe).

R (Warm Bodies)

By fusing Shakespearean themes of forbidden romance with a reinvention of lore pioneered by George A. Romero, author Isaac Morton crafted an intriguing romantic-zombie-comedy in Warm Bodies. In the film adaptation, Nicholas Hoult plays a walking corpse called “R,” who is discovered to have some humanity left in him when he becomes the potential suitor and protector of a young woman named Julie (Teresa Palmer).

Falkor (The NeverEnding Story)

There is a pretty balanced amount of good and evil creatures in the 1984 adaptation of Michael Ende’s The NeverEnding Story, with the most iconic of the former, arguably, being Falkor. Voiced by Alan Oppenheimer, the last of the luck dragons provides Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) and Bastian (Barret Oliver) with the wisdom, optimism, and transportation they need to complete their quests. 

Genie (Aladdin)

Most stories about wish-granting creatures go by the "Be careful what you wish for" mantra and portray them as selfish tricksters, but that is not the case for Genie from Aladdin. Robin Williams' iconic role from Disney's 1992 animated classic treats his master (voiced by Scott Weinger) as a true friend, making him one of the best sidekicks in pop culture history.

Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)

One of the most iconic Studio Ghibli movies is My Neighbor Totoro, which could have won the best-animated feature Oscar had it existed in 1988. It tells the story of two siblings who cross paths with the unique titular creature (whose name translates from Japanese to “troll”), who takes them on wondrous adventures. 

Groot (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

Any Guardians of the Galaxy fan will tell you that the heart and soul of James Gunn’s cosmic MCU trilogy is Groot. Voiced by Vin Diesel, the living humanoid tree — who can be a relentless fighter under the right circumstances — taught us that the only thing you need to say to show your appreciation for your loved ones is, “I am Groot.”

Harold (Under Wraps)

In fantasy lore, Egyptian mummies are depicted as vengeful beings who, upon reanimation, take out their rage on anybody who awakens them from their slumber. However, “Harold” — played by Bill Fagerbakke in the 1997 Disney Channel Original Movie, Under Wraps — must have had a really pleasant slumber because he gets along great with the preteens who wake him up and later try to help return him to his sarcophagus.

Willie (V)

Obviously, Robert Englund's most iconic role is A Nightmare on Elm Street's homicidal dreamweaver, Freddy Krueger, but another corner of his fanbase knows him as a much gentler character. In fact, in the V franchise, Willie is noted for helping the human race defend itself against his own lizard-like extraterrestrial race.

The Smurfs (The Smurfs)

Original based on a Belgian comic book before launching their own TV series and movie franchise, the Smurfs are a peaceful group of little blue creatures who inhabit a woodland colony of mushroom-shaped houses. However, they are not without their enemies, especially Gargamel, who switches back and forth between wanting to destroy them, eat them, or even turn them into gold.

Monster (A Monster Calls)

One of the best monster movies of its time is not about a creature who means to destroy, but one who offers effective emotional support. Based on the novel by Patrick Ness, director J.A. Bayona’s A Monster Calls stars Liam Neeson as the voice of an unnamed ancient tree monster (voiced by Liam Neeson) who meets a 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) just when he needs a friend the most.

Sabrina Spellman (Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina)

In both fiction and reality alike, witchcraft is widely frowned upon, unless it is practiced by Sabrina Spellman, who originated from the Archie comics. Arguably the most recognizable onscreen depiction of the young magic wielder is portrayed by Melissa Joan Hart in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, but we felt like highlighting Kiernan Shipka’s iteration from Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina because the enemies she faces are much less friendly.

Paul (Paul)

Director Greg Mottola’s 2011 sci-fi comedy, Paul, posits the idea that almost all pop culture involving extra-terrestrials from the past several decades was inspired by one actual extra-terrestrial. Said extra-terrestrial is the title character (voiced by Seth Rogen), who bumps into two British sci-fi nerds (played by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who also co-wrote the film) who help him avoid detection from Area 51.

Tommy Dawkins (Big Wolf On Campus)

High schooler Tommy Dawkins (Brandon Quinn) had the perfect life, but everything changed in the first episode of Big Wolf on Campus when he was bit by a werewolf. Now a werewolf himself, he uses his abilities to protect his hometown from things that are even stranger supernatural phenomena in the hilarious, underrated Canadian series.

Allen Strange (The Journey Of Allen Strange)

One of Nickelodeon’s most criminally underrated, much-forgotten TV shows is The Journey of Allen Strange — essentially a teen-dramedy reimagining of E.T. that aired from 1997 to 2000. It starred Arjay Smith in the title role of a lost alien who takes human form and struggles to fit in with help from his friends Robbie (Erin J. Dean) and Josh Stevenson (Shane Sweet) while trying to figure out a way back to his planet.

Goliath (Gargoyles)

One of the best-animated TV shows of the ‘90s was Gargoyles, in which the eponymous gothic creatures reside in Manhattan, where they pledge to protect its human inhabitants from evil. The leader of these nightly defenders is Goliath (voiced by Keith David), who even finds love with his clan’s only human member, Det. Elisa Maza (Salli Richardson Whitfield).

The Monsters Of Midian (Nightbreed)

Not all of the bizarre creatures in Clive Barker’s mind are ruthless sadomasochistic demons (in reference to the Cenobites). The writer and filmmaker’s 1990 cult favorite, Nightbreed — based on his 1988 novella Cabal — follows a group of peaceful mutants forced to hide from society in a village beneath a cemetery known as Midian.

CJ7 (CJ7)

The 2008 Chinese sci-fi family comedy CJ7 stars co-writer and director Stephen Chow as a financially struggling single father who gives his son a “toy” he finds at a junkyard that turns out to be an adorable little alien visitor. The eponymous creature later became the star of its own animated series and spawned an animated sequel, CJ7: Super Q Team, which sees him join forces with other cute otherwordly creatures to fight evil.

Maurice (Little Monsters)

If there was ever a reason a child did not fear the idea of a monster living under their bed, it might be because they wanted to meet Maurice — Howie Mandel’s role from the cult favorite 1989 fantasy-comedy, Little Monsters. He becomes friends with 11-year-old Brian (Fred Savage), whom he introduces to the bizarre realm hidden underneath every bed in the world and helps protect against the more troublesome members of his kind.

Crusoe (The Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep)

The 2007 adaptation of Dick King-Smith’s novel, The Water Horse, offers some imaginative explanations for the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster. It is a genderless creature that a boy named Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel) discovers on the shore of the famous Scottish lake and names Crusoe, after adventure hero Robinson Crusoe.

Billy (Martin Mystery)

On Martin Mystery — an animated series inspired by an Italian comic book — one of the titular supernatural investigators’ most trusted allies is a plucky, pint-sized little green man named Billy (voiced by Sam Vincent). However, in the series' second season, it is discovered that he was once a much larger, vicious warrior until he changed his ways before arriving on Earth during the famous Roswell incident of 1947.

As these creatures from pop culture have shown us, not everything that goes bump in the night is worth bumping back at.

With Ramy Youssef blowing up in both the worlds of TV and movies, and long careers like Tony Shalhoub’s and Salma Hayek’s being considered iconic, Arab representation in the world of comedy has been getting better and better. So, with that in mind, it’s time to give out flowers to some of these amazing comedic actors by highlighting their best films and shows.

Ramy Youssef

Ramy Youssef is a prolific stand-up comedian and actor who was born in New York City, and grew up in New Jersey. The Egyptian-American is probably best known as the creator, writer, producer and star of one of A24’s best shows, Ramy. The series follows Youssef as the titular character, while he grapples with his faith while living between the worlds of his Muslim community and his group of millennial friends who think “life has no consequences,” as Hulu’s synopsis of the show states. 

After two seasons of Ramy, Youssef’s career really took off. Along with directing an episode of The Bear during Season 2,  he also executive produced the Netflix series Mo and voiced a character in Disney’s Wish. 

Notably, he was also part of the ensemble for the critically acclaimed Poor Things. The film from Yorgos Lanthimos, where Youssef plays the man Emma Stone’s Bella Baxter is betrothed to, ended up winning four Oscars and people fell in love with it.

Since that film, the comedian has released a new stand-up special – Ramy Youssef: More Feelings – and he joined the ranks of Saturday Night Live’s Season 49 hosts. 

Ramy Youssef truly is thriving. 

Stream Ramy on Hulu.
Buy Ramy on Amazon. 
Buy or rent Poor Things on Amazon.
Stream Poor Things on Hulu. 

Tony Shalhoub

Tony Shalhoub’s parents emigrated from Lebanon to the United States, and he grew up in Wisconsin before becoming an actor. These days we know him best as the beloved Adrian Monk – whom he played on Monk from 2002 to its finale in 2009, and  returned to play again in Peacock's 2023 movie, Mr. Monk’s Last Case. 

Over the course of his career, Shalhoub has received 12 Emmy nominations and won four times, three of those wins were for Monk and the other came from the acclaimed comedy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

In the Amazon Prime comedy that tells the perfect story of a woman finding her independence, Shalhoub plays our protagonist Midge’s father, Abe. He is full of hilarious one-liners and sass, and it’s just further proof that Tony Shalhoub is a living comedy legend.  

Buy Monk on Amazon.
Stream Monk and Mr. Monk’s Last Case on Peacock.
Stream The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon. 

Alia Shawkat

Iraqi-American actress Alia Shawkat burst onto our screens when Arrested Development premiered in 2003. Starring alongside the iconic Arrested Development cast that included Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Tony Hale and more, she played George-Michael’s cousin and crush, Maeby Fünke in both the OG series and its revival on Netflix. 

Showing off her comedy chops again, Shawkat starred in HBO’s Search Party from 2016 to 2022 playing Dory Sief, a woman who (in Season 1) sets out to find her missing college friend. Following Season 1, a new mystery unfolds with each installment, and overall, it’s a dark, creative and off-beat comedy.

Adding to her already impressive filmography, Alia Shawkat has also voiced characters in animated series like Summer Camp Island and Big Mouth, and she’s starred in films like The To Do List and Whip It. 

Stream Arrested Development on Netflix.
Buy Arrested Development on Amazon. 
Stream Search Party on Max. 
Buy Search Party on Amazon. 

Mo Amer

Mo Amer is a well-known Palestinian-American stand-up comedian, who has started taking on more scripted opportunities. Along with starring in 27 episodes of Ramy alongside Ramy Youssef, he also created, produced and led his own Netflix series, Mo. 

During an interview with CinemaBlend, Amer explained that Mo allowed him to tell his Palestinian refugee story in a way that stand-up couldn’t, as it draws from his own life growing up in Houston, Texas. 

Along with Mo and Ramy, Amer also has a stand-up special called The Vagabond, and he starred in the films Black Adam and Sweet Dreams. Overall, this comedian is just getting started!

Stream Mo on Netflix.
Stream Ramy on Hulu. 
Buy Ramy on Amazon. 

Salma Hayek 

Mexican-Lebanese actress Salma Hayek has received lots of love for her dramatic performances in movies like Frida and Desperado. However, she’s also a comedy queen.

In 2010, she starred alongside Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock and David Spade in Grown Ups, playing the Sandman’s wife, Roxanne Chase-Feder. Along with performing alongside these comedy legends in this film and its sequel, she also brought the comedy in Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, which she led with Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson.

Overall, Hayek has proved time and time again that she can do any project, and it’s always such a treat when we get to see her comedy skills in action. 

Stream Grown Ups on Amazon.
Buy or rent Grown Ups on Amazon.
Buy or rent Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard on Amazon.

Nasim Pedrad

Nasim Pedrad, an Iranian-American actress, made a name for herself during her tenure as part of some of Saturday Night Live’s best casts. From 2009 to 2014, she starred in five seasons of the legendary sketch comedy show and it showed off her range as a brilliant comedian. 

After SNL, Pedrad went on to guest star in shows like New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Big Mouth. 

Most notable, though, is her role as the titular 14-year-old boy in the comedy she co-created, Chad. She’s made two seasons of the show so far, and she wears multiple hats in the production, serving as the co-creator, producer and writer as well as star. 

Stream Saturday Night Live on Peacock.
Buy Nasim Pedrad’s seasons of SNL on Amazon. 
Stream Chad on The Roku Channel. 
Buy Chad on YouTube.

Kathy Najimy

The Sanderson sisters will always be iconic, and so will Kathy Najimy. The Lebanese-American actress played Mary Sanderson alongside Bette Midler’s Winifred and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sarah in Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2. To this day, it’s one of her most beloved roles and one of the best fun Halloween movies. 

Keeping the iconic roles going, Najimy also played Mary Parick alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the 1992 comedy, Sister Act, and its sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. 

This comedic actress really left her mark on the ‘90s, and to this day her work is beloved as more and more people discover these legendary films. 

Stream Hocus Pocus on Disney+.
Buy or rent Hocus Pocus on Amazon.
Stream Sister Act on Disney+. 
Buy or rent Sister Act on Amazon Prime. 

Rami Malek

Now, I realize we know Rami Malek for movies and shows like Bohemian Rapsody and Mr. Robot. He tends to take on the more dramatic parts. However, have you ever seen the Egyptian-American actor’s episode of Saturday Night Live? It’s hilarious!

Season 47, Episode 3 of SNL was led by the Oscar winner, and it gave us wonderful sketches like “Rami Wants a Treat,” “Angelo” and “Bug Assembly.” 

On top of that, Malek’s first big movie was Night at the Museum, where he played Ahkmenrah, and he was incredibly charming and funny. 

Basically, what I’m saying is Malek is an actor with major range, and he should do more comedy!

Stream Rami Maleck’s episode of Saturday Night Live on Peacock.
Buy Rami Maleck’s episode of SNL on Amazon.
Stream Night at the Museum on Disney+.
Buy or rent Night at the Museum on Amazon.

Over the years we’ve been seeing more and more movies and TV shows with great Arab-American representation, and these actors are a big reason why. Along with all these projects, they have all had wonderful careers that are still thriving, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!

Sure, it may be the nostalgia talking, but the 1990s gave us some of the best family movies of all time. The final decade of the 20th century produced such iconic movies as Home Alone, The Sandlot, and Mrs. Doubtfire, and that’s only from those first few years. There are certainly some popular ‘90s movies that are terrible in hindsight, but there are more than a few gems that hold up 25, 30, or even 34 years later.

Below, in no particular order, are 20+ family movies from the ‘90s that we just can’t get enough of, be it watching with family and friends or by introducing our childhood favorites to kids of our own. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and talk about some of the best ‘90s movies that are fun for all ages. 

The Lion King (1994)

As crazy as it sounds, it has been 30 years since The Lion King roared into theaters (and the heart of a generation). Arguably the best movie from the Disney Renaissance era, this animated musical took William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, added all kinds of animals, some catchy songs, and stunning visuals to create an experience like no other. 

Toy Story (1995)

Back in 1995, Pixar helped usher in a new era for animation, and movies in general, with the landmark CGI experience that was Toy Story. For nearly 30 years, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Rex, Mr. Potato Head, Bo Peep, and all the other toys from this hilarious yet heartwarming movie have been a part of pop culture, and that’s all thanks to the way this film captured the attention and hearts of moviegoers around the globe.

The Little Rascals (1994)

Again, this could be the nostalgia talking, but watching The Little Rascals all these years later is so much more fun than you’d expect. This adaptation of the classic short film series of the same name has laughs, action, more laughs, and quite a few lessons geared towards just about everyone. Plus, the cameos, which include Mel Brooks, Reba McEntire, and a certain former United States President add so much.

Newsies (1992)

Newsies, the 1992 musical starring Christian Bale as a New York City newsboy who helps lead a revolution, may have been a box office bomb, but it’s still a great and entertaining movie. Even more than 30 years after its theatrical release, this beloved movie about a group of young boys who rise up against a powerful and greedy newspaper tycoon still strikes a chord with new generations.

Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

If you’re looking for a great Tim Curry movie, a wonderful pirate movie, or just one of the best Muppet movies of the past 30 years, then Muppet Treasure Island is going to do the trick. This 1996 swashbuckling musical comedy adaptation of Treasure Island follows a young boy as he hits the high seas with everyone’s favorite characters in search of fame and fortune.

Problem Child (1990)

Problem Child, which somehow has a 0% Rotten Tomatoes score, is a wild, crass, and dark black comedy about a young orphan getting a second chance in life, only if his hellish behavior and over-the-top antics don’t get him sent back to the orphanage. Though far edgier and mean-spirited than most movies on this list, Problem Child has a certain charm that makes it so much fun to watch.

My Girl (1991)

My Girl features perhaps the most traumatizing death sequence involving bees, and one of the most heartbreaking funeral scenes, and still manages to be one of the all-time great coming-of-age dramas of the ‘90s. Over the course of a single summer, Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) experiences more in a few months than most do in a lifetime, learning invaluable life lessons and making unforgettable memories in the process.

The Parent Trap (1998)

What starts out as one of the best summer camp movies quickly turns into a timeless classic about two long-lost twins (both played by Lindsey Lohan) forming a bond with one another after swapping places in an attempt to get their long-split parents back together. Yeah, The Parent Trap is a remake of a Disney classic, but Nancy Meyers adds her signature touch to this wonderful film.

Babe (1995)

Who would have thought that the man best known for creating the Mad Max franchise and all its over-the-top action would give us one of the best kids movies of the ‘90s? That’s exactly what George Miller did with Babe. Though directed by Chris Noonan, Miller’s signature style is all over the script, production value, and even great camera work in this tremendous under-pig story, with Christine Cavanaugh voicing the beloved animal star.

Home Alone (1990)

There are great Christmas movies, and then there is Home Alone, Chris Columbus’ timeless holiday film anchored by Macaulay Culkin in his career-defining role of Kevin McCallister. There are plenty of reasons this classic home-invasion movie has remained so popular the past 30+ years, but the biggest thing is that it simply works. Everything about the movie, from the casting to John Williams’ score to the trap-filled production design, is top-notch.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) 

Thankfully a movie where the dog doesn’t die, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is just as fun an adventure today as it was upon its release in 1993. There’s comedy, drama, action, and some truly memorable banter between the four-legged characters on their epic trip home, with superstar voice actors like Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Ameche 

Jumanji (1995)

The surprisingly scary Jumanji is one of those ‘90s movies that struck the perfect balance of broad humor, heightened drama, emotional depth, and unpredictable action to create a once-in-a-generation experience, especially those of us who were youngsters at the time. The concept of an enchanted board game unleashing the jungle on a quiet New Hampshire town is bonkers, but made all the more normal with Robin Williams heading things up.

Space Jam (1996)

Space Jam is one of those “right place at the right time” movies in that it was released at the peak of Michael Jordan’s career, and took advantage of the popularity resurgence of Looney Tunes characters. (Roger Rabbit's animation+live-action prowess certainly helped.) Seriously, watching MJ team up with Bugs Bunny and Bill Murray to defeat the Monstars never gets old.

Matilda (1996)

There have been a lot of great Roald Dahl adaptations over the years, and one of the best is Danny DeVito's 1996 fantasy comedy, Matilda. Mara Wilson’s titular character and her magical powers are just as awesome as they are wholesome. A near-perfect kids movie that tackles many different topics, Matilda is a gem worth revisiting for old time’s sake.

The Sandlot (1993) 

The first half of the '90s knocked it out of the park when it came to great sports-centric kids movies, including the unanimous MVP, The Sandlot. Taking place over a single yet consequential summer, this coming-of-age classic is full of heart, imagination, and some of the greatest life lessons a kid's brain can grasp, and that's on top of being a great baseball movie. 

Doctor Dolittle (1998)

A movie that made way more at the box office than one might guess ($294.5 million worldwide, per Box Office Mojo), Doctor Dolittle is also one of Eddie Murphy’s funniest films, at least outside the R-rated scope. Taking a classic story and giving it a modern-for-that-time facelift worked out for this hilarious movie about a doctor who can speak to animals.

Hocus Pocus (1993) 

It just doesn't truly feel like Halloween until we watch the Sanderson Sisters – Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) – aiming to feast on the children of Salem in Hocus Pocus. Impossible to avoid and even more impossible to stop once you press play, this 1993 Disney classic has become a staple of the season for over 30 years.

The Addams Family (1991) 

While the macabre titular family has fronted plenty of adaptations over the years, 1991’s The Addams Family remains in a league of its own (along with its A+ sequel). As Gomez Addams (Raul Julia) tries to find and reunite with his long-lost brother Fester (Christopher Lloyd), Morticia (Anjelica Huston) is forced to find a job, while Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Puglsey (Jimmy Workman) attempt to make their school play one to remember. Joan Cusack is just the cherry on top.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

While there are some socially questionable issues with Mrs. Doubtfire, they shouldn’t keep this Robin Williams classic off anyone's list of the best family movies from the ‘90s. Even if you don’t agree with Daniel Hillard’s (Williams) parenting tactics or his general attitude about others’ wishes versus his own, there’s no denying the fact that this is pure physical comedy gold. The incredible lines, the ridiculous situations, and that “hot dog” impression work so well because of the top-notch cast.

Mighty Joe Young (1998)

A live-action Disney movie that time forgot, Mighty Joe Young holds us remarkably well over 25 years after its theatrical release. Starring Bill Paxon, Charlize Therron, and a massive gorilla (or at least a man in a suit), this action-packed and dramatic remake of an earlier film of the same name is a lot of fun and has all the heart.

Beethoven (1992)

Honestly, Beethoven is a movie that is just as much fun revisiting as an adult as it was watching way back in the day as a kid. Maybe it’s being able to relate to Charles Grodin’s neurotic and stressed-out George Newton, or maybe it’s the sinister villains, or maybe it’s the sight of a St. Bernard giving it to some yuppies. Regardless, this movie is all killer, no filler.

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

It’s hard to believe it has been so long since we first met The Mighty Ducks cast back in 1992, but what’s not hard to believe is the fact that the movie still holds up so well after all these years. This all-time great hockey film has wonderful action on the ice, a remarkable sports underdog story, and awkward cameos from sports stars. What’s not to love?

Little Women (1994)

There have been multiple adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, and the 1994 version starring Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, and Trini Alvardo as the four March sisters is one for the ages. Heartfelt, humorous, and enchanting, this movie has it all.

Flubber (1997)

One of the best ‘90s movies on Disney+, the 1997 remake of Flubber follows Robin Williams’ Philip Brainard as he inadvertently creates a powerful and sentient green goo with all kinds of abilities. All kinds of hijinks follow as the lowly college professor tries to save his job, and his own job, from being shut down. 

Cool Runnings (1994)

The 1994 Disney movie, Cool Runnings, is one of the inspirational sports stories that seems too good to be true, but alas, it’s based on the real-life story of the Jamaican bobsled team. This improbable group of Olympians, led by disgraced coach Irving “Irv” Blitzer (John Candy), attempts to prove the world wrong in this hilarious comedy.

Little Giants (1994)

One of the funniest Rick Moranis movies, Little Giants, sees the beloved actor take on the role of Danny O’Shea, a gas station owner who forms a team of undersized and overlooked outcasts to fill his new football team. With his eyes set on finally beating his older brother, Kevin (Ed O’Neill) and his dreaded Pee-Wee Cowboys, Danny and his team try to pull off the impossible in this wholesome sports flick.

Kindergarten Cop (1990)

If you’re looking for a great movie pairing action stars with kids, look no further than Kindergarten Cop. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who plays Detective John Kimble as he goes undercover as a school teacher, is at the top of his game in Ivan Reitman’s hilarious 1990 comedy and gives us some of the most quotable lines of any Schwarzenegger movie of the era.

Free Willy (1993)

One of the biggest movies of 1993, both in success and the size of its non-human star, Free Willy is one of those quintessential early ‘90s flicks thanks to its style, attitude, and the unforgettable shot of Jason James Richter’s Jesse standing beneath a massive Orca jumping out of the water. For all the sealife exploitation that this movie may or may not have further inspired, it's still a classic.

Each of these movies still holds up all these years later and reminds us of just how many great family movies there were in the ‘90s. However, if you’re looking for something a little more modern, a ton of new family movies are streaming on various platforms.

While Halloween may be over, there’s never a bad time to talk about the Disney gateway horror classic Hocus Pocus. As fans continue to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy’s Sanderson Sisters running amuck, amuck, amuck through Salem, thoughts are also tuned into what the future could bring.

Which, of course, is a good point to remind everyone that Hocus Pocus 3 is happening, and what’s more writer Jen D’Angelo has provided an update on its script. Not only is that information in play, but there’s also a tease for just how Hannah Waddingham’s character from Hocus Pocus 2 might actually connect to the original classic.

The Status Of Hocus Pocus 3’s Story, According To Jen D’Angelo

Speaking to EW on the occasion of this year’s big milestone for Hocus Pocus, Ms. D’Angelo has been a font of information when it comes to this beloved universe. Previously, she revealed that legacy bullies Jay and Ice were almost in Hocus Pocus 2; but were eventually cut from the script.

Anyone holding out for hope that those two nutty funsters, or any other OG characters, may appear in Hocus Pocus 3 shouldn’t get their spirits up just yet. Though as far as where the script for Jen D’Angelo’s second entry in the series will go, she did provide this quick hit of information:

So for those of you who want to use that Disney+ subscription to scour for clues in both Hocus Pocus films, you officially have your first assignment. Introduced in 2022’s long awaited legacy-quel, the Mother Witch was shown to be the mentor that set the Sanderson Sisters down their path of eternal life through child murder. 

With Hocus Pocus 2’s ending teasing that Waddingham’s central figure is now interested in a new coven of witches, the door is clearly wide open for her return. However, the writer of this year’s Quiz Lady has also revealed just how she may intend to connect Hannah Waddigham back into 1993’s Hocus Pocus. Brace yourselves for a deep cut of Sanderson Sister lore.

How Hannah Waddingham’s Mother Witch May Be Retconned Into The Original

If you’re a Hocus Pocus fan who knows the movie front to back, I have three words that will sum up where Jen D’Angelo is headed with her Hocus Pocus 3 logic: The Calming Circle. If you need a bit of a refresher, or if you just love that scene to begin with, take a look at the video below. But while you watch, pay close attention to those happy memories Kathy Najimy’s Mary Sanderson recalls in her attempted soothing:

Upon first glance, this feels like the ladies remembering their long departed family fondly. That’s especially true with the mention of “Mummy’s Scorpion Pie,” which already sounds like a horrific delicacy these witches loved to feast upon. However, according to D’Angelo, her take on Mummy isn’t literal, as she’s potentially using that reference to make the following connection:

Bringing it all back around to the point that Hocus Pocus 3’s story still has “so many directions” it can take, our reunion with everyone’s favorite Ted Lasso veteran turned spellcaster might not use the theory above in practice. Which is perfectly fine, as Playbill pointed out another way that Mother Witch may have already been built into the mix, thanks to Dani (Thora Birch) potentially being dressed as her for Halloween in 1993.

Perhaps the confirmation or debunking of that other theory might be the way to bring back more OG Hocus Pocus characters. Star Omri Katz is certainly down for it, and one could imagine that Vinessa Shaw and Thora Birch would be interested as well. For now, we’ll all just have to keep waiting for new Hocus Pocus 3 details, as the script is still being worked out. Meanwhile, if you want to revisit both of the previous installments, Disney+ is your ticket to keeping Halloween alive.

A yearly treat for those who celebrate Halloween is the annual viewing of one of the best Disney+ movies available to stream: Hocus Pocus. This holiday icon has a fandom that, over the course of 30 years, has kept that film’s legacy alive in the limelight of cult classics that eventually got sequels. By the time that last year’s Hocus Pocus 2 finally landed, there were a ton of original characters who were revealed to have nearly gotten cameos, only to get cut from the film.

Writer Jen D'Angelo has recently revealed two more legacy figures who were left out of the fun, and my FOMO is killing me more than ever. As she spoke with EW in a recent interview, the writer connected to recent films like Totally Killer and the upcoming comedy Quiz Lady unveiled that dim-witted antagonists Jay (Tobias Jelinek) and Ice (Larry Bagby) were originally on the docket for Hocus Pocus 2. 

Here’s how D’Angelo explained that draft, and why she wanted to resurrect those characters in particular: 

Indeed, by the end of Hocus Pocus, we see Jay and Ice go from sneaker-stealing, toilet-papering ne'er-do-wells into softly singing songbirds braving the melody of “Row Row Your Boat.” A lot of things can happen when three witchy sisters return from the dead after centuries of slumber, and that’s exactly what Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy inspired in the world of this fictitious Salem. 

So clearly one would think that this Disney+ subscription driver would have seen these goons still mindful of that night’s events, right? Let’s not forget that Thora Birch’s original Hocus Pocus 2 role was also crafted with a very fitting callback to the original film's introduction to this world. Which leads to another twist of the tale that Jen D’Angelo would have included in her version of Jay and Ice, humbling these figures even further as follows: 

While Disney may have missed an opportunity with not releasing Hocus Pocus 2 in theaters, there’s still hope for the future. As we make our way towards Hocus Pocus 3, and with Jen D’Angelo still on board for that installment at the moment, there’s plenty of room to return to theaters. 

Not to mention, just as Omri Katz would return for Max in a potential three-quel, you could bet that Vinessa Shaw and Thora Birch would also be game for such a resurgence. That, of course, begs for Tobias Jelinek and Larry Bagby’s heinously-humbled dudes to come back as well. 

Hocus Pocus 2’s ending leaves a lot of room open for whatever happens next. With one specific tease standing out among the events that transpired, the sky’s the limit for another potential return of the Sanderson Sisters. If you haven’t watched the streaming sequel, or feel like revisiting it along with your annual viewing of the beloved original, both movies are currently available on Disney+.

When the official news came out that Hocus Pocus would get a sequel after 29 years, our nostalgic hearts exploded. The opportunity to see Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker back as the Sanderson Sisters on Disney+ was exactly what we needed last year for a fun Halloween viewing. With announcements Hocus Pocus 3 would be happening, OG cast member Omri Katz shares his response with hopes he can even return to the franchise.

Go back to Salem in 1993 when the Sanderson Witches were first resurrected. The virgin responsible for lighting the Black Flame Candle was Max Dennison played by Omri Katz. After studio production head Sean Bailey announced a third Hocus Pocus was planned, it was reported by EW that Katz wrote in an email what he thought about the upcoming Disney movie.

It’s amazing to think that a movie that was an initial box office bomb mixed-review film could achieve the cult status it has today. When Freeform had its 25th anniversary special, it drew in 8.2 million viewers watching at home. Hocus Pocus star Bette Midler discovered a second movie could happen when she saw multiple television screenings and a ton of merchandise sold online from it. Even the city of Salem celebrates Hocus Pocus with fans visiting the local filming sites. The cult classic also had a re-release on October 6th of this year in select theaters to commemorate its 30th anniversary. It proves that a film’s popularity really can increase with time.

While the three original female leads who played the iconic witches returned for the second movie, sadly other OG Hocus Pocus stars did not. This is because director Anne Fletcher wanted there to be a focus on the new characters compared to having the original leads be reduced to background roles. Even though the plot and casting for a third movie haven’t been finalized, Katz gave his input on his own involvement in the movie which will make you really excited.

That’s some exiting news, and I really hope it happens. While the franchise wouldn’t be the same without the villainous witches headlining the movie, it’d be nice to see the heroes who saved the children of Salem. Regarding possibly doing a Hocus Pocus threequel, Katz’s only request was that Hocus Pocus 3 doesn’t take another 29 years to happen. I honestly doubt that will be the case as I’m sure the second movie is still fresh in the minds of the Disney+ subscribers who saw it. The audience reaction towards the long-awaited sequel thought it was a fun, hilarious movie they really enjoyed watching. Hopefully, they can do the original story that includes Thora Birch’s Dani where she’s a schoolteacher in Salem using her previous knowledge to fight off evil. Maybe Max (and hopefully Allison)’s kids will light the Black Flame Candle next.

Let's hope Disney is aware of Omri Katz's wish to return for the third movie so they can make that happen. What the Hocus Pocus cast member has been up to recently may be running a cannabis culture business, but it’s good to know Katz would like to return to his Disney movie roots. Until we hear anything about Hocus Pocus 3 cast and plot updates, you can watch the previous two movies on your Disney+ subscription.

Leonardo DiCaprio has been one of the most in-demand actors for a while, taking on some of the most coveted and sought-after roles in Hollywood. Even in the '90s when he was just an up-and-coming actor, DiCaprio was on many director's watchlists. Apparently, the Oscar winner auditioned for the Disney Halloween classic Hocus Pocus back in the day and was "amazing." However, there was a disappointing aspect of the whole meeting for the filmmaker behind the beloved film.

The director, Kenny Ortega, recently opened up about taking on Hocus Pocus and what went into casting some of the iconic roles. The film scored, with big names like Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler joining the cast. However, as Ortega also told Entertainment Weekly, Leonardo DiCaprio was the one that got away. He recounted how his encounter with the Titanic icon came to be, saying:

So from the jump, the actor was already committed to a number of major projects, so his audition for Hocus Pocus was essentially a formality, it seems. In hindsight, it sounds like Kenny Ortega, who's also helmed High School Musical and Newsies, was disappointed by that. I can't even imagine being a filmmaker watching a great actor auditioning while knowing that I wouldn't even be able to hire them. Still, it sounds like he relishes the fact that he had the chance to see the Romeo + Juliet star's skills up close:

It’s a bit strange that a casting office would send in an actor that couldn’t do the film in the first place. Maybe the casting office was hoping the duo would hit it off, Leonardo DiCaprio would possibly consider doing a different film with the director or the studio in the future. Regardless, it's sweet to hear that the veteran director still looks back on that moment positively. Even though it didn’t work out, the filmmaker still seems content over having cast Omari Katz as Max Dennison, which was the role the character DiCaprio was being considered for. He explained: 

It ultimately seems like it worked out for everyone involved. Omari Katz is wonderful in the spooky classic, and Hocus Pocus lives on as a popular October favorite -- and even received a Disney+ sequel film in 2022. Meanwhile, the two movies Leonardo DiCaprio ended up working on were monumental for his career. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape earned him his first Oscar nomination, and This Boy's Life, the Robert De Niro film Kenny Ortega cited, is a memorable early film for the actor. And years after working with the rising star on that movie, De Niro introduced DiCaprio to Martin Scorsese, and they've since forged a creative relationship that's evolved. To that point, just recently DiCaprio and De Niro worked with Scorsese again on historical drama Killers of the Flower Moon.

If this audition story does anything, it further drives home the point that the now-48-year-old actor has long been highly coveted. Kenny Ortega seemingly wasn't the only director who wanted the young actor for his movie, and you can't help but wonder how his career might've turned out if he'd made different choices. However, if his audition was truly as strong as the filmmaker remembers, Leonardo DiCaprio was always destined for greatness.

You can check out the 1993 flick Hocus Pocus, which is streaming now for Disney+ subscribers. Fans of the aforementioned leading man can see him in Killers of the Flower Moon, which is in theaters now and will be available to stream with an Apple TV+ subscription in the near future. 

Over the years, there have been countless movie animals that have stolen the show (and our hearts), so much so they become more beloved than the rest of the cast. There’s just something about these dogs, cats, primates, and animals that don’t fit into an easy category that make some of the best Pixar movies even better and bring another element to all-time great sci-fi movies. 

Below is a list of 32 of those movie animals that have become part of cinematic history, bet it as the main attraction in a family-friendly comedy or as a supporting character that eventually takes precedence over everyone else.

Paddington (Paddington)

What’s not to adore about the titular, marmalade-loving bear from Paul King’s Paddington movies? Voiced by Ben Whishaw, the beloved character from the classic children’s books of the same name steals the show (and all the snacks) at every turn. This isn’t to say the Brown family isn’t great, but we just can’t get enough of Paddington Bear, even when he went to prison.

Babe (Babe)

“That’ll do pig, that’ll do,” the closing line spoken by James Cromwell’s Arthur Hoggett in Babe pretty much sums up our admiration for the fan-favorite pig voiced by the late Christine Cavanaugh. There are some great characters in Chris Noonan’s 1995 comedy about a pig who becomes a sheep-dog, but there’s no topping this adorable and fearless standout.

Beethoven (Beethoven)

As easy as it is to relate to George Newton in Beethoven, the titular St. Bernard is the best thing about Brian Levant’s 1992 comedy. Sure, he eats all the bacon and destroys Charles Grodin’s character’s clothes, but the family dog also saves a drowning child, prevents a shady business deal from going down, and turns George from a neurotic mess into a more centered person.

Marley (Marley & Me)

Though one of the most rambunctious dogs in film history, Marley from the 2008 family drama, Marley & Me, is a pooch that will forever live in the hearts of everyone who’s seen the movie starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. And no, it’s not just because this film breaks our hearts into a millions pieces.

Hooch (Turner & Hooch)

As far as police dogs are concerned, there’s no better option than Hooch, the titular mastiff from the 1989 buddy cop movie, Turner & Hooch. Yeah, Tom Hanks is great as Scott Turner, but c’mon, this pooch literally saves the day.

Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)

You know who's one character that makes Hocus Pocus a much better movie than its 2022 sequel? Thackery Binx. Sure, there are other reasons why the 1993 Halloween movie is so good, but the top of the list should and always will start with that little black cat who’s been a thorn in the Sanderson sisters’ sides for centuries.

Hachi (Hachi: A Dog's Tale)

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a movie that will take out your heart, break it into a million little pieces, and then give it back to you to put back together again. The tale of Hachi, a deeply devoted Akita, waiting day after day and year after year for his deceased owner to come back to the train station is incredibly powerful, even more so when you realize it’s based on a true story.

Jonesy (Alien)

Okay, Jonesy doesn’t get a whole lot of screen time in Alien (even less so in Aliens), but there’s no way you can say Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror flick is any worse because of Ellen Ripley’s cat? Plus, he’s one of two survivors.

Arthur (Beginners)

Beginners is a movie about grief and how it affects not only humans but also the animals left behind when someone close to us dies. This is best illustrated in the 2010 drama by Arthur, the Jack Russell Terrier who lives with Oliver Fields (Ewan McGregor) after his owner, and Oliver’s dad, Hal (Christopher Plummer) passes away. It eventually becomes a situation where Arthur does more to support Oliver in his pain than the other way around.

Verdell (As Good As It Gets)

Though he’s cut out of the movie’s poster, Verdell, the Griffon Bruxellois in As Good as it Gets is one of the main characters in the 1997 Oscar winner and brings out the best of everyone else on screen. Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt both won Academy Awards for their roles, but the pup that warms their hearts (and our own) is simply the best.

Goose (Captain Marvel)

Okay, Captain Marvel’s Goose is technically a Flerken, an alien creature with super strength and some ferocious tentacles, but since she takes the form of a cat in the 2019 Marvel movie, she makes the cut, or slash if we’re talking about Nick Fury’s eye. 

Dexter (Night At The Museum)

Love him or hate him, Dexter, the stuffed capuchin monkey who comes to life in Night at the Museum helps make Shawn Levy’s 2006 fantasy comedy so great. The constant back and forth with Ben Stiller’s Larry Daley, and pretty much everything about the primate is pure gold.

Keanu (Keanu)

Is there a cuter character in Keanu than the titular cat? Is there a cuter movie animal than the kitten formerly known as Iglesias whose cat-napping results in Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key’s characters going on a life-or-death mission to save him? We think not.

Chance (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)

Though Shadow and Sassy are great characters who both make Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey a beloved family adventure film, we all know the real star of the show is Chance. Even without Michael J. Fox’s voiceover work, this young and immature American Bulldog, constantly steals the show.

Remy (Ratatouille)

The ghost of Auguste Gusteau is cool, Alfredo Linguini goes through a radical change, and Anton Ego has an incredible arc, but we all know Remy the rat (Patton Oswalt) is the real star of Pixar’s Ratatouille. Come on, he's a rat who can see smells and makes unique food combinations better than anyone.

Lucky (Dr. Dolittle)

Eddie Murphy’s titular character in Dr. Dolittle is great and all, but the human characters all take a backseat to the various talking animals in the 1998 family comedy. At the top of that list is Lucky, the sarcastic and hilarious dog voiced by the late Norm Macdonald who becomes a core part of the doctor’s family.

Max (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

Who does all the leg work in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and doesn’t have the benefit of his heart growing three times its normal size? Yeah, Max, the Grinch’s (Jim Carrey) pet dog who stands by his owner through thick and thin in his quest to steal the big holiday.

Dunston (Dunston Checks In)

The late Paul Reubens shows up in an unforgettable way, Eric Lloyd gives a great performance as Kyle Grant, and Jason Alexander is awesome in it, but the real star of Dunston Checks In is the titular orangutan. Whether he’s hiding in a laundry chute or wearing costumes in the five-star Majestic Hotel lobby, Dunston checks all the boxes.

 Snoopy (The Peanuts Movie)

While it’s true that Charlie Brown is at the center of The Peanuts Movie, let’s be real for a second and come to agreement that Snoopy is the best thing about the 2015 feature film based on the iconic comic strip. Like, Snoopy writes a book about taking on the famed Red Baron.

Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service)

The seminal Studio Ghibli movie, Kiki’s Delivery Service mostly centers on a young witch as she attempts to find her place in the world, but this animated gem wouldn’t be half as good if it were not for her pet cat, Jiji. Whether it’s the original Japanese version or the English dub with Phil Hartman providing the voice, the character is absolutely amazing.

Clyde (Every Which Way But Loose)

Every Which Way but Loose isn’t going to be on a list of Clint Eastwood’s best movies, but the 1978 action comedy does see the legendary Western actor share the screen with an orangutan named Clyde. In fact, Clyde is the best character in the whole dang movie, even if he drinks beer, flips the bird, and kisses everyone in sight.

Old Yeller (Old Yeller)

One of the best dog movies on Disney+, Old Yeller is an undeniable classic and the one film that will make Stone Cold Steve Austin cry. Nothing against the human characters in this fun yet tragic story, but the titular yellow lab is the best thing about this Disney throwback.

Little Monkey (George Of The Jungle)

Okay, George of the Jungle features a ton of great animal characters and humans who can also hold their own, most notably Brendan Fraser’s titular hero. But if you’re looking for a side character who steals the show and melts your heart, look no further than the little monkey who George helps early on in the movie. 

Blue (Jurassic World)

There are a lot of dinosaurs featured in the various Jurassic Park movies, but few have an emotional connection with the audience as strong as Blue, the raptor that Owen Grady’s (Chris Pratt) has trained since birth. And while Grady, and other humans, in Jurassic World are great, this smart apex predator with her blue markings is in a league of her own.

Air Buddy (Air Bud)

Let’s be real, is there another character in Air Bud who is as beloved as Air Buddy himself? Come on, this golden retriever can shoot hoops and bring out the best in people. Well, unless you’re a clown with a rolled-up newspaper.

Willy (Free Willy)

Jason James Richter, August Schellenberg, and Lori Petty’s characters are all great in Free Willy, but the titular orca is the champ of this 1993 children’s movie. The sass, the tricks, the iconic shot during the epic escape make this an easy pick.

Church (Pet Sematary)

Yeah, the reanimated Church is the stuff of nightmares in Pet Sematary, but even in his slightly decomposed and undead state, the Creed family cat is an adorable biscuit-making feline worth mentioning.

The Mouse (Mousehunt)

The crafty and death-defying rodent in Mouse Hunt pretty much wins the “best character” award by default, as he’s pretty much the only living thing in the Smuntz estate who’s not greedy, petty, or all of the above. Plus, he brings two brothers together and forever changes their destiny.

The Snake (Anaconda)

Luis Llosa’s Anaconda is one heck of a ride from start to finish, and features some incredible performances by Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight. But let’s be honest with this one, we’re all rooting for the giant snake in this 1997 creature feature.

Artax (The NeverEnding Story)

Is there a character that made more ‘80s kids cry than Artax when Atreyu’s horse gets stuck in the swamp in The NeverEnding Story? Sure, there are some great creatures and human characters in the 1984 fantasy film, but none hold a candle to this majestic white horse.

Bing Bong (Inside Out)

Is Bing Bong an elephant or some made-up creature from the depths of a young girl’s imagination? It doesn’t really matter, because this beloved side character from Inside Out is honestly the best and most sincere aspect of the 2015 Pixar film.

Blood (A Boy And His Dog)

A Boy and His Dog is an all-time great dystopian comedy starring a young Don Johnson as a teenager attempting to survive an inhospitable landscape with his best friend, a pup named Blood. But this isn’t just any normal dog, as Blood can speak telepathically, has the ability to read, and has a rather misanthropic outlook on life. He isn’t all good, but still a hero compared to the other survivors of a nuclear war.

Each of these movie animals found a way in our hearts for one reason or another, becoming beloved and iconic characters in the process. 

Hocus Pocus remains a Halloween season staple as it celebrates its 30th anniversary this spooky season. One of the season’s most beloved not-so-scary witch movies isn’t without a rather dark premise though. It revolves around the hilarious Sanderson sisters as they scramble to suck the soul of at least one child in order to save themselves from becoming dust bunnies. One wild deleted scene that would have underlined that setup further has just been revealed by Hocus Pocus’ director, and I think it would have been a hoot. 

As Kenny Ortega revealed to Entertainment Weekly while reflecting on the classic movie 30 years later, Kathy Najimi’s Mary Sanderson almost had yet another memorable moment in the film. In his words: 

I don’t know about you, but this sounds hilarious. If one is going to shop for a child to save one’s skin, why not grab one at a grocery store? I mean, the kid was already in a shopping cart, after all! Though it’s tough to judge a deleted scene on the description alone, I’m all in on this twisted moment from Hocus Pocus, and I actually wish it was kept in the movie. 

The scene was, in fact, Kenny Ortega’s favorite scene that didn’t end up in Hocus Pocus, so it must have been real funny, right? It sounds like it would have had me cackling if I had seen this moment, and considering the whole movie is already about witches hellbent on stealing and killing children to appease their own survival, I don’t see anything wrong with it being in the movie. The moment sounds like it still keeps the lighthearted energy of the whole Halloween movie anyways. 

Last year, all the Sanderson sisters reunited for Hocus Pocus 2, and it became a massive hit on Disney+. At the time, it actually earned the title of "#1 film premiere on Disney+ domestically" after just three days of streaming on the House of Mouse’s platform. The sequel also received overwhelmingly positive reviews, including CinemaBlend’s own Hocus Pocus 2 review giving the movie 3.5 out of 5 stars.   

Following the success of Hocus Pocus’ return last year, Disney announced over the summer that another Hocus Pocus movie is already in the works. As you do your annual Hocus Pocus rewatch now alongside the sequel, which are both available to stream with a Disney+ subscription, will you think about all the scenes that we didn’t get to see now?

Halloween season is here, and for many of us that means it’s time to re-watch our favorite movies or Halloween TV episodes. Perhaps the most quintessential of this content is Hocus Pocus, which became a cult classic in the ‘90s. And the movie’s director Kenny Ortega recently responded to a fan theory that Vinessa Shaw’s Allison was actually a witch. Alexa, play “I Put A Spell On You.”

Hocus Pocus is arguably the most iconic spooky season movie of all time– except for maybe John Carpenter’s original Halloween. In fact it’s so popular that a long-awaited sequel Hocus Pocus 2 was released last year, and there are still popular fan theories about the 1993 film. Kenny Ortega was recently asked by EW about the idea that Allison was a witch in the first movie. He responded by offering:

Well, my mind is blown. While Allison doesn’t actually do any magic throughout the runtime of Hocus Pocus, it seems like Ortega did think she might have had a connection to the supernatural. And what’s all this spinoff chatter about? My head is spinning.

Kenny Ortega’s comments to EW are sure to blow the minds of Hocus Pocus fans who would have loved to see a spinoff surrounding Allison. This was news to me, and I wish I could know more about what that project could have been, and why it never happened. Suddenly I really need actress Vinessa Shaw to return to the Hocus Pocus franchise. Later in that same interview, Ortega spoke more about the character of Allison, and her inherent witchy-ness. As he put it,

Points were made. Hocus Pocus’ Max falls pretty hard for Allison, despite seemingly not having  spoken to her before he shot his shot in class. Could that infatuation have a magical origin? And you can’t deny that Allison and her yabbos give big witch energy when she turns him down, complete with a red cloak as she walks away.

Both of the Hocus Pocus movies are streaming now with a Disney+ subscription. Be sure to check out the 2023 movies release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Not every film considered a “classic” today was a hit right out of the gate. Sometimes it takes years for an obscure little movie to find the audience that helps it evolve into something beloved. But they won't be loved by everybody.

I would like to make it clear to any fans of these popular cult classics that I have nothing but respect for your opinion and think it is wonderful that you have found something to enjoy in these films. However, I also hope you can respect the reasons why I would not call any of them favorites of mine.

The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension (1984)

With Multiverse movies all the rage these days, now might be a great time to reboot The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. Some may believe a remake would be a sin, but it might end up making a little more sense than this aggressively — dare I say, egregiously — ridiculous sci-fi adventure.

Barbarella (1968)

Two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda admitted to 60 Minutes that, for many years, she regretted playing the scantily clad title role of Barbarella. Hopefully, Sydney Sweeney does not feel the same way when she stars in an upcoming remake of the cheesy, borderline X-rated outer space adventure. 

Basket Case (1982)

You could argue that Belial — Duane’s horribly deformed, formerly conjoined twin — is one of the unique horror movie villains of the ‘80s, if not ever. You could also argue that the puppet gives the best performance in Basket Case, which still makes writer/director Frank Henenlotter cringe with its “shabbiness,” as he admitted to Westword in 2014.

Billy Jack (1971)

Co-writer, director, and star Tom Laughlin’s follow-up to Born Losers was actually the most popular movie of 1971, with much credit to its decent fight sequences. Yet, Billy Jack’s toughest critics don’t appreciate a seemingly pro-violence message that its preachy execution and snail's pace don't make any easier to swallow.

My Bloody Valentine (1981)

Quentin Tarantino told EW his favorite slasher is this horror film with a romantic twist, which is an odd choice to me. Out of all the classic ‘80s slashers, the influential filmmaker picks a horribly acted, nonsensical whodunnit like My Bloody Valentine? 

The Boondock Saints (1999)

How the poster for this incomprehensible, purposeless mess of a crime thriller with attempts humor that were already horribly dated became a must-have for college dorm rooms around the world is baffling to me. The best thing I can say about the otherwise popular ‘90s movie The Boondocks Saints is that it made Norman Reedus a cult icon before joining the Walking Dead cast as Daryl Dixon.

Brain Damage (1988)

Writer and director Frank Henenlotter told Future Movies that the plot of Brain Damage — about a murderous alien parasite that provides a loner (Rick Hearst) with euphoric trips straight to the brain stem — symbolizes his struggles with addiction and coping with a breakup. Honestly, his habit at the time explains a lot of why this tasteless creature feature, another Henenlotter film in which the puppet is the best actor, came out the way it did.

Children Of The Corn (1984)

On our list ranking the best Stephen King movies, you will not find the aptly “corny” Children of the Corn. Even John Franklin’s performance as the murderous youngsters’ fanatical leader, Isaac — which some might call the saving grace of director Fritz Kiersch’s original adaptation — gets a little irritating after a while.

Chopping Mall (1986)

A prime example of when “so-bad-it’s-good” becomes “so-bad-it’s-just-really-not-very-good” is producer Roger Corman’s Chopping Mall, starring beloved Scream Queen Barbara Crampton. This “teens vs. mall security robots” schlock-fest is an ‘80s horror movie that could benefit from a remake that better explores its technophobic themes and is not bogged down by a mindless story, wooden dialogue, and unlikable characters.

Dolemite (1975)

Netflix’s Dolemite is my Name proves how much this Blaxploitation favorite meant to co-writer and star Rudy Ray Moore (portrayed in the biopic by Eddie Murphy). However, it also does not shy away from revealing the inexperience of almost everyone involved with Dolemite, even with enough evidence in the finish product with wooden acting, laughably poor editing, and glaring mistakes like visible boom mics.

Event Horizon (1997)

The concept for Paul W.S. Anderson’s cosmic horror flick — a ship designed to travel through dimensional gateways that accidentally took a trip through Hell — is brilliant. Where Event Horizon misses the mark — and star Sam Neill agrees — is a lack of suspense and nuance in favor of gory shock.

Eraserhead (1977)

Out of all of David Lynch’s horror films, his debut feature may be his most definitive work. By that, I mean, Eraserhead is his most irritatingly perplexing and mind-numbingly slow effort even when taking the captivating production design and intriguing metaphor of fatherly insecurities into account. 

Faces Of Death (1978)

One of the surefire signs of a bad movie is showing violence for the sake of violence, which describes Faces of Death in a nutshell. The staged scenes in this collection of various depictions of fatal scenarios are tasteless enough, but the inclusion of pre-existing footage showing the aftermath of real deaths — according to The Independent — is a step too far.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

It is easy to understand why Hocus Pocus has become an annual Halloween tradition… for children, at least. Why adults continue ignore some uncomfortable truths about this spooky adventure that is not as funny as it wants to be is harder to understand, unless they are under the Sanderson Sisters’ spell.

Maniac (1980)

If not for Tom Savini’s always brilliant special effects, this mindless, nauseating, suspense-less slasher from co-writer and star Joe Spinell would have nothing going for it. At least Elijah Wood’s 2012 Maniac remake had the unique idea to film everything, literally, through the eyes of the killer.

Masters Of The Universe (1987)

There are some beloved fantasy properties that do not translate to live-action cinema as well as they do when animated, and Masters of the Universe is a good example. There is no denying Dolph Lundgren is the spitting image of He-Man and Frank Langella is hamming it up beautifully as Skeletor, but the childish, cheesy, and even dull content left may have had something to do with Netflix cancelling its reboot.

Pink Flamingos (1972)

The point of writer and director John Waters’ most infamous film is, literally, to watch characters — including drag legend Divine as Babs Johnson — to outdo each other in filthiness, easily earning its NC-17 rating in the process. I’ll spare any lucky, unfamiliar souls the dirty details, but just know I certainly understand Roger Ebert’s hate for Pink Flamingos.

Possession (1981)

Possession is not at all a demonic possession thriller a la The Exorcist, but that is not my source of disappointment with this surreal tale of an unraveling marriage. Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill’s strong performances and some truly grisly sights cannot save Andrezej Zulawski’s avant garde supernatural feature from feeling like a meandering student film that puts style over substance.  

Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

Conceptually (failure to pay for organ replacement is punishable by death) and aesthetically (inventive production design, unique costuming, and nightmarish makeup and gore effects), I might call Repo! The Genetic Opera a success. As a musical experience (employing actors who aren’t the best singers, including Paris Hilton) it might be the most torturous effort from Darren Lynn Bousman, who has four Saw movies under his belt.

Sleepaway Camp (1983)

The fact that Sleepaway Camp is, in essence, no different from other summer horror movies (especially fellow whodunnit Friday the 13th) is not at all why it has aged poorly. That would be the reveal of the killer’s true identity, which — without giving too much away — is dripping with transphobia.

Species (1995)

The concept of the woman of your dreams turning out to be a nightmare from outer space is pretty unsettling. However, Species seems more concerned with objectifying star Natasha Henstridge when she isn’t in her monstrous form.

Office Space (1999)

There are many truly hilarious movies and TV shows from Mike Judge, and I genuinely wish that I considered Office Space to be one of them. Outside of Gary Cole’s scene-stealing performance as Bill Lumbergh, I just don’t find this workplace satire nearly as funny as it must have been when it first came out. 

Tank Girl (1995)

The design of the centerpiece war vehicle in this dystopian action-comedy from director Rachel Talalay is on par with anything George Miller dreamed up for the Mad Max movies. I just hope there is more to the eccentric title character from Tank Girl (Lori Petty) in Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett’s original comic strip than her bizarre fashion sense and some uninspired one-liners as depicted in the adaptation.

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)

The purpose of a prequel is to provide the audience with answers regarding what took place before the events of it predecessor. However, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me does absolutely nothing to fill in any blanks left in David Lynch’s groundbreaking sci-fi TV show and only leaves us more confused.

Volcano (1997)

I sincerely congratulate Volcano for going on to become the more popular eruptive thriller from 1997 over Dante’s Peak. However, the Tommy Lee Jones-led blockbuster about an active volcano underneath L.A. is just another shamelessly cliche-ridden disaster movie no matter how you spin it.

Xanadu (1980)

For as much as we miss the late Olivia Newton-John and cherish the talent she shared with the world, some would say that Xanadu is not among the Grease star’s best work. Even with Gene Kelly in a major role and music from ELO, this musical fantasy suffers drastically from a story completely devoid of logic.

Zardoz (1974)

Writer and director John Boorman recalled to Vulture that the late Sean Connery actually had no issues wearing his character’s very revealing outfit in Zardoz. I suppose if the former James Bond actor was willing to subject himself to that kind of embarrassment, it explains his willingness to lead this uproariously weird and pretentious sci-fi “epic.”

Elvira: Mistress Of The Dark (1988)

When hosting classic horror movie marathons on TV, it seems there is no limit to Cassandra Peterson’s charm and hilarity as the iconic Elvira. However, the spooky character’s self-titled film debut, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, proves that giving her a feature-length platform does not create quite the same effect, especially when the macabre humor gets a little repetitive. Maybe an animated Elvira spin-off would be better?

The Room (2003)

Including The Room on a list of low-quality cult favorites seems a little redundant since the film’s famously low quality is exactly why it is a cult favorite. Consider this merely a friendly reminder that, no matter how much writer, director, producer and star Tommy Wiseau’s debut makes you laugh, just remember that the humor is completely unintentional.

Short Circuit (1986)

Let’s not even bother talking about how American actor Fisher Stevens’ performance as an Indian engineer has contributed Short Circuit’s poor aging. This sci-fi comedy about a robot that suddenly gains sentience was a shallow, predictable mess from the beginning, which is surprising coming from WarGames director John Badham.

Super Troopers (2001)

The beloved comedy Super Troopers is the movie that brought the Broken Lizard troupe into the mainstream, but that’s not something I would call a groundbreaking moment in comedy history, per se. In fact, I suspect it is to blame for the overabundant trend of shamelessly infantile comedies high on raunch and low on heart that dominated the 2000s.

The Toxic Avenger (1984)

One of the strangest superhero movies not based on a comic book is The Toxic Avenger, whose truly disgusting title hero has, essentially, become the mascot for its distribution company, Troma – which specializes in cult favorites. All I can say is that I hope the upcoming superhero movie reimagining this bizarre comedy starring Peter Dinklage is an improvement.

Clearly, my opinions of these cult classics put me in the minority, but that’s okay. As long they are keeping some people happy, I am happy.

There are many classic characters of folklore that are staples of many great horror movies, such as witches. These spell-casters are often depicted as ruthless harbingers of doom in some of the darkest tales that cinema has ever told — such as Robert Eggers’ aptly titled, unsettling drama, The Witch, from 2016. However, there are just as many films that portray them as little more than a kooky, creepy obstacle or even a magical miracle you would like to have on your side.

If some of the younger members of your family are interested in stories about witches as Halloween approaches, and you are interested in showing them movies that show the lighter side of that world or at least portray it in a more family-friendly means, your wish is our command. We brewed up the following collection of not-so-scary movies about witches you can find now on streaming or as a digital rental.

The Witches (1990)

A young orphan (Jasen Fisher) and his grandmother (Mai Zetterling) must find a way to defeat a gathering of evil sorceresses at an English hotel after their leader (Anjelica Huston) transforms the boy into a mouse.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: To be perfectly honest, when it comes to family-friendly movies about witches, one of the creepiest of the bunch is, most likely, director Nicolas Roeg’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, which would be adapted again with star Anne Hathaway and director Robert Zemeckis 30 years later.

Rent or buy The Witches (1990) on Amazon.
Rent or buy The Witches (2020) on Vudu.

The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

After a tornado brings a Kansas girl (Judy Garland) and her little dog to a magical, far away land, she enlists a scarecrow (Ray Bolger), a man made of tin (Jack Haley), and a meek lion (Bert Lahr) to accompany her to find a famed magical man who may hold the key to helping her return home.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: Admittedly, Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch of West — who has it out for Dorothy in this groundbreaking adaptation of Frank Baum’s novel, The Wizard of Oz — is an example of a classic cinematic villain known for giving children nightmares, but her archetypical green-faced, pointy-hat-clad appearance is pretty tame by today’s standards.

Stream The Wizard Of Oz on Max.
Rent or buy The Wizard Of Oz on Amazon.

Bedknobs And Broomsticks (1971)

A witch in training (Angela Lansbury), a cynical magician (David Tomlinson), and three orphaned children (Ian Weighill, Cindy O’Callaghan, and Roy Start) use an enchanted bed set to travel the world in search for the missing piece of spell that could help the British Army during World War II.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: Despite its dark, historical backdrop, Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks — based on the book by Mary Norton — is one of the most lighthearted and fun stories that deals with the topic of witchcraft ever put the celluloid, and featuring a few visually stunning sequences that combine live-action footage with animation, a la Mary Poppins.

Stream Bedknobs and Broomsticks on Disney+.
Rent or buy Bedknobs and Broomsticks on Amazon

Teen Witch (1989)

A luckless-in-love high school outcast (Robin Lively) learns from an unusual stranger (Poltergeist star Zelda Rubinstein) that she is a descendent of spell casters from Salem. She then uses her newfound propensity for magic to work her way up the social ladder.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: While most coming-of-age movies about young girls practicing magic tend go in horrifying directions — 1996’s cult favorite The Craft comes to mind — Teen Witch imagines that the worst consequences that may come from witchcraft are a few ridiculous hijinks and an innocent crisis of morality.

Stream Teen Witch on Max.
Rent or buy Teen Witch on Amazon.

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

A 13-year-old girl (Kirsten Dunst, in the English-language version), forced to live on her own for a year as part of her magic-wielding training, finds work helping a pregnant bakery shop owner deliver her products, for which she uses her trusty broom for travel.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: All of the best Studio Ghibli movies involve magic in some way, shape, or form, but writer and director Hayao Miyazaki’s Japanese animal retelling of Eiko Kadono’s novel, Kiki’s Delivery Service, is one most definitively rooted in folklore related to witchcraft — from the aforementioned broom, to Kiki’s talking, black cat, Jiji (Phil Hartman).

Stream Kiki's Delivery Service on Max.
Rent or buy Kiki's Delivery Service on Amazon.

The Hocus Pocus Movies (1993, 2022)

Centuries after they are put to death for their wicked ways, three Salem-based sisters (Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) are accidentally resurrected by a group of children on Halloween night… twice.

Why they are not-so-scary witch movies: Perhaps the most iconic and widely beloved of Disney’s witchy favorites is Kenny Ortega’s directorial debut, Hocus Pocus, which would go on to become annual Halloween tradition for fans of all ages and spawned a Disney+ exclusive sequel from director Anne Fletcher.

Stream The Hocus Pocus Movies on Disney+.
Rent or buy Hocus Pocus on Amazon.

Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1996)

After she is sent to live with her eccentric aunts (Sherry Miller and Charlene Fernetz), a young woman (Melissa Joan Hart) discovers on her 16th birthday that she comes from a family of magical beings.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: Before Hart played the title role of the hit sitcom it inspired, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, she led this feature-length, made-for-TV adaptation of the Archie Comics fantasy title that also starred a young Ryan Reynolds.

Stream Sabrina The Teenage Witch on Freevee through Amazon.
Stream Sabrina The Teenage Witch on Peacock.
Stream Sabrina The Teenage Witch on Tubi.

Practical Magic (1998)

Two sisters (Academy Award winners Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman), who come from a long line of witches, struggle to cope with the heinous judgment from their peers and a curse that prevents them finding love without an ill-fated outcome.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: From director Griffin Dunne, the underrated Halloween flick, Practical Magic, is one of Bullock’s most memorable movies, as well as a best for Kidman, for the uniquely grounded and relatable way it depicts witchcraft by framing it as a dark romantic comedy.

Stream Practical Magic on Hulu.
Rent or buy Practical Magic on Amazon.

The Halloweentown Movies (1998-2006)

The adventures of a young woman (originally played by Kimberly J. Brown and later recast by Sara Paxton) who comes from a family known to be the most powerful group of witches from an alternate dimension in which ghosts, goblins, and other things that go bump in the night are common, everyday folk.

Why they are not-so-scary witch movies: While some young Disney lovers would spend their spooky seasons watching Hocus Pocus for the umpteenth time, for those who had Disney Channel, it was all about Halloweentown — and its sequels, Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High, and Return to Halloweentown — which also stars Debbie Reynolds as the Cromwells’ matriarch.

Stream the Halloweentown Movies on Disney+.
Rent or buy the Halloweentown Movies on Amazon.

Scooby-Doo And The Witch's Ghost (1999)

The meddling kids and talking dog from Mystery Inc. are invited by a famous horror writer (Tim Curry) to a small town famous for the legend of the author’s ancestor, who is said to have practiced witchcraft in her day, but of the wicked kind.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: While Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, Velma, and Scooby typically specialize in apprehending regular people disguised as mythical beings, the titular villain from the classic, straight-to-video feature, Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost — without giving too much away — is certainly one to be taken more seriously.

Rent or buy Scooby-Doo And The Witch's Ghost on Amazon.

The House With A Clock In Its Walls (2018)

A young, orphaned boy (Owen Vaccaro) is sent to Michigan to live with his uncle (Jack Black), whom he discovers is warlock who needs his help to find a device that could bring for the end of days if put in the wrong hands.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: Also starring Cate Blanchett, this fun, whimsical, mysterious family adventure based on John Bellairs’ 1973 children’s novel is one of the last films you would expect from director Eli Roth, but The House with a Clock in its Walls manages to bring out the lighter side of the filmmaker behind Hostel and the upcoming horror movie, Thanksgiving.

Rent or buy The House With A Clock In Its Walls on Amazon.

Nightbooks (2021)

A young boy (Winslow Fegley) who loves scary stories finally finds a life-saving use for his obsession when he makes a deal with a witch (Krysten Ritter) to keep him alive if he supplies her with a different creepy tale every night.

Why it is a not-so-scary witch movie: If you took the plot of Misery, added a twist similar to the wraparound segment from anthology horror movie Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, and gave it more of a family-friendly flair, you would have Nightbooks — a Netflix original that was actually inspired by the Middle-Eastern folk tale collection, One Thousand and One Arabian Nights.

Stream Nightbooks on Netflix.

The Harry Potter Movies (2001-2011)

After an orphaned boy (Daniel Radcliffe) discovers that he is a wizard, he enrolls in a school that specializes in the mystic arts, where he and his new friends (played by Rupert Grint and Emma Watson) must contend with a notorious, evil being from his past.

Why they are not-so-scary witch movies: Some may not often think of the Harry Potter movies as witch movies in the definitive sense, but since Hogwarts is officially a school for both witchcraft and wizardry, it certainly counts. 

Stream the Harry Potter Movies on Max.
Stream the Harry Potter Movies on Peacock. 
Rent or buy the Harry Potter Movies on Amazon.

As Harry Potter and some of the other characters in these movies show, not all witches are too scary. Which witch movie is the one which you love the most?

Just like my dad did when I was a kid, I’ve spent the vast majority of my kids’ lives trying to get them into movies, and it’s safe to say I’m making some progress. My wife and I make a big deal out of “Friday Family Movie Night,” and try to keep things on theme, which is especially exciting with Halloween quickly approaching at the time of this writing. 

I’ve been looking for some great horror movies to watch with my kids in the lead-up to Halloween, but I’ve quickly found this to be no easy task when the members of the audience range in age from 3 to 7 years old. That being said, I have learned a thing or two, tried some failed experiments, and put together a list of lessons I’ve learned so far about everything from fun Halloween movies to the time of day in which to show the kids the more frightening flicks. 

A 'One Size Fits All' Approach Will Get You Nowhere

With each of my kids being of different ages and temperaments and levels of obsession with Halloween (my son checks on the outside decorations every day before and after school), I have to think of multiple action plans to introduce them to horror movies. What might be too scary for my 3-year-old is too boring for my 7-year-old, and what’s too tame for one is too extreme for the other. 

What I’ve been doing is gauge the situation with something light like Hocus Pocus or Ernest Scared Stupid so that I know where each of my kids stand with what some would consider classic Halloween movies. Then I go from there and work around their respective schedules. However, this isn’t a problem for my son because he’s a horror hound in the making.

A PG-13 Movie From 1988 Isn't The Same As One From 2023

Speaking of my son, he became obsessed with Killer Klowns from Outer Space after seeing animatronics based on the classic B-horror movie at Spirit Halloween at the start of the season. It was all he would talk about for a couple of weeks before I decided to show it to him. It was PG-13, and so I thought it wouldn’t be that extreme. 

Let me tell you, PG-13 movies from 1988 are a lot different than those in modern times. There’s the scene where one of the alien clowns punches a guy’s head clean off his shoulders, pies melting humans into piles of bones, and people being wrapped up in cotton candy cocoons. He loved it, but now I’m questioning my parenting choices. 

Trailers And Movie Clips Have Become My Best Resources

Some people prefer to go into a movie completely blind, having not watched a single trailer or clip before diving into some classic horror movie. Well, that doesn’t fly when checking out some beloved horror flick with the youngins. I’ve been going into these movies with a game plan that involves trailers and movie clips to see if my kids are going to be able to handle what’s coming their way.

As much as I would love to throw them into the deep end with Day of the Dead's zombie walk opening sequence, I need to prep them ahead of time with clips and trailers. We tried this out with my son before Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and it helped us set expectations. Now, I’m not going to do this for something like The Sixth Sense or other twist-heavy films, but you get the picture.

Watching Horror Movies During The Day Is Your Best Bet

I know this goes against conventional wisdom of watching horror movies in the dark of night to add to the experience, but come on, we’re talking about kids here. We’re talking about the same folks that aren’t upset when you purchase tickets to Sing 2 only to find out it’s a screening where the lights never go dim. If my kid is going to enjoy some mildly terrifying movie more in the day and not be a mess at night, this is the route I’m going to take.

... Unless You Want A Bed Full Of Scared Kids Come Night

However, you could live your life dangerously and turn on a marathon of all the A Nightmare on Elm Street movies at sundown and see how long it takes for your room to fill up with terrified kids thinking Freddy Krueger is in their closet or under their bed. This could happen with something as harmless as The Nightmare Before Christmas or Halloweentown as much as it could with Night of the Living Dead or Hellraiser, so be careful.

But like I said earlier, every kid is different, and you could have someone like my son who isn’t scared of slasher movies or the skeleton with red eyes in the front yard but will freak out if a tree branch rubs against his window.

Like Parenting, Patience And Empathy Is Key To An Introduction To Horror

Patience and empathy has been key to this experience, much like parenting in general. I’ve had to start, stop, and start again multiple movies the past couple of years for one reason or another. Whether it’s because one kid is too scared or another is bored, or there’s too much sugar in their bloodstream causing all kinds of hyperness, an 80-minute horror movie can quickly turn into a three-hour epic before you know it. 

I’ve had to straight up turn off a handful of movies over the years because it was too much for the kids, resulting in me holding off until they go to bed to finish. When I get frustrated, I remember that little boy (me) who had his first asthma attack because of the It miniseries back in the day. 

On A Side Note, What Was I Doing Watching Some Of These Movies So Young?

As a kid, I watched a lot of movies in general, but I have a ton of memories of staying up way too late on a Friday or Saturday night with various horror flicks with my older brother. Candyman, Pumpkinhead, the Child’s Play movies, and others like The Lost Boys were in constant rotation, especially during Halloween when channels would run hellacious marathons all month. 

In my attempt to find horror movies to watch with the kids, I’ve been looking back on my own childhood and wondering what kind of effect spending my nights with classic horror villains at such a young age had on me. The jury is still out on this one.

All in all, it has been a fun and educational experience trying to figure out which scary movies to watch with my kids, one that I’ll continue to fine-tune in the months and years to come. I mean, I have to get them ready to see an upcoming horror movie in an actual theater at some point, right? Time will tell.

Hocus Pocus' Sanderson Sisters, played by the ever-talented leading trio of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, helped give this movie the cult following it has today. But did you know that Rosie O’Donnell could have been part of the original cast of the Halloween classic? The former host of The View explained why she turned down a major role in the fantasy-comedy movie.

If you could picture Rosie O’Donnell as one of the Sanderson Sisters, who would you pick? The temperamental Winnie who could carry out a tune, the crooked-smiled Mary who can ride a mean vacuum, or the child-luring Sarah? During her interview with The Hollywood Reporter, O’Donnell revealed which 17th-century witch she was this close to playing.

Wow! So, this Daytime Emmy winner could have been the one wearing that hat-shaped wig and crooked smile. I definitely think that with the comedy styling O’Donnell has, she’d be able to pull it off. On the other hand, it would have been a very different role compared to the stuff she’s done in the past. She made her film debut being part of the cast of A League of Their Own, playing the third basewoman Doris, and was also part of the foursome of friends in one of the best female friendship films, Now and Then. While this absolutely would have shown up on O’Donnell’s list of iconic roles, she’s had plenty under her belt that have made her the gifted actress she is today.  

You don’t have to rewatch Hocus Pocus to know that Rosie O’Donnell is not present in the cast of this cult classic. THR asked the former daytime host if it’s true that she turned down the part of Mary, and here’s what she had to say.

I can understand that. The character of Mary isn’t like Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, who had all the sex appeal, or Winnie, who was the front-runner of the child-sucking trio. You’d have to be okay with playing more of the dim-witted sidekick who’s there to bring about a few chuckles. The Harriet the Spy actress explained more why she didn’t feel like this role was meant for her.

It’s true that even if it’s just acting, not everyone has it in them to play a role that involves terrorizing children. As Rosie O’Donnell is a mother of five children, she may not have wanted to put herself in that mind frame. I’ll admit, even I thought that child-luring plot was too dark for a Disney movie. Looking back on this movie 30 years later, this SMILF star was asked if she regretted the decision to turn it down.

Neither do I! I feel like if I was to attempt that crooked smile for weeks of shooting, it would probably stay that way for me. In Hocus Pocus 2 when Kathy Najimy reprised her role, however, she admitted her crooked smile was flipped to the other side considering the previous side was too hard for her to attempt anymore after 30 years. That fact that she was able to do it at all was impressive and clearly a standout to the character that Najimy helped make memorable.

Rosie O’Donnell may not have played Mary in Hocus Pocus, but it’s plain and direct that she had good reasons why it wouldn’t have worked for her, and Kathy Najimy made the role a real standout for herself. You can watch the two Hocus Pocus films with your Disney+ subscription. Also, keep your eye out for a third Hocus Pocus movie and keep up with CinemaBlend to see if it’ll get a theatrical release or go back to streaming.

While Hocus Pocus 2 brought back the Sanderson Sisters after 29 years, notably the kids, Max, Dani and Allison, along with Thackery Binx the cat, were not in the long-awaited sequel. Now, following Hocus Pocus 2's successful release on Disney+ some of the OG cast has weighed in on it, and if they would want to be in a threequel. Notably, Omri Katz, who played Max, said he'd love to work with Bette Midler again, but they need to do it sooner than later. 

Due to the success of Hocus Pocus 2, I’d imagine it’s not a far-fetched idea to make a third, especially with that ending that leaves the door open for more stories. In an interview with EW, the actors behind Max, Allison and Thackery Binx talked about the movie. When asked about a potential thrid installment, they all said they’d be down, but Katz, the actor behind Max, said they can’t wait another 29 years for it to happen.

He makes a valid point, Midler is currently 76 years old, and if they waited 30 years she would be 106. While she’s still dancing like a queen, and I imagine she’ll be doing so for a long while, I doubt she’ll be able to sing, dance, cackle and ride her broom in 2052 while she's in her early 100s. 

Personally, I do hope if there were to be a threequel we’d get the original kids, but all grown up, the new gals from the sequel, along with the Sanderson sisters back in Salem for one big adventure. We learned that Thora Birch, who played Dani, was originally supposed to be in the sequel, however, she had some scheduling conflicts. 

However, based on Katz and the other OG actors positively reacting to the sequel, I feel like it’s likely they’d say yes to a threequel. Along with Katz, Jason Marsden, who voiced Binx, said “absolutely” when asked about the topic. Vinessa Shaw, who played Allison noted that all the attention around the movies has made her reminisce on the first movie and that her “fondness keeps growing” for the films. She also noted that Midler “has the best time,” and said even if she’s “98” the actress would be down to reprise her epic role as the leader of the sistahs. 

Based on the ending of Hocus Pocus 2, and its success, I think it’s possible we’ll see a threequel, and hopefully, it’ll involve some more of the OG cast. While we wait at least one year and as many as 30 years for a possible threequel, you can watch the 2022 movie schedule hit Hocus Pocus 2, as well as the original Hocus Pocus, with a Disney+ subscription. 

With the Hocus Pocus movies considered to be one of the best family-friendly Disney+ movies to watch on Halloween, it’s brought back a love for the spooky classic. If you’re in a trio, why not make an appearance at your Halloween party or go trick or treating as the Sanderson Sisters? Lili Reinhart and her Riverdale ladies had the right idea of dressing up as the Hocus Pocus witches for Halloween, as the results were flawless.

As Riverdale is reaching its seventh and final season next year, that means we need to soak up the Riverdale trio before we don’t see them together on our TVs anymore. With Halloween here, Lili Reinhart posted a photo of her and her Riverdale co-stars Camila Mendes and Madelaine Petsch, showing their Hocus Pocus love as the Sanderson Sisters with the caption “It’s just a little HOCUS POCUS.” Take a look at this spell-binding Instagram photo below:

Everything these talented actresses did was flawless, from their wickedly colorful 17th-century garb to their insanely accurate hairstyles from the Halloween classic. Not only did the Riverdale ladies take photos for their Instagram accounts, they also posted a TikTok video to celebrate their picture-perfect costumes. In the video, you can see Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes and Madelaine Petsch lip-sync the classic musical number from the movie "I Put a Spell On You." Because how else can you make a Hocus Pocus fan video?

Lili Reinhart had to show off her new look on Instagram with individual photos of her magical costume. The Hustlers actress fashioned a red velvet skirt, matching cape and embroidered bustier with a number of cute poses. Her caption read, "'Hang him on a hook and let me play with him!' ~Sarah Sanderson." Check out these dazzling photos below: 

Riverdale may have reached its end, but that doesn’t mean the Betty Cooper actress is going anywhere. Lili Reinhart plans on moving on to more fitting roles for her 26-year-old self. We saw her show off her dramatic film chops in the Amazon Prime must-watch movie Chemical Hearts, and she played a stripper who couldn’t keep her stomach down in Hustlers. She most recently starred in and executive produced the romantic comedy-drama Look Both Ways which you can find on your Netflix subscription. 

It’ll be exciting to see Reinhart play more adult roles to show off her acting range, but it doesn’t mean she’ll be done with the young adult world. Her production company, Small Victory Productions, is working with Amazon Studios to present young adult content for film and television promoting diversity and inclusivity. I predict Reinhart will be on the path to great things post-Riverdale. 

Lili Reinhart and her Riverdale co-stars show the world how you can go all out for your Halloween costumes as they dress as the Hocus Pocus Sanderson Sisters. Hopefully after their time on Riverdale, we can still see this fabulous trio reunite every Halloween for more creative costumes. You can get in the Halloween mood too by watching the Hocus Pocus movies with your Disney+ subscription. The final season of Riverdale comes to The CW next year.

Disney+ is still a relatively new streaming service compared to the likes of Netflix and Hulu, but that doesn’t mean it doesn't have some awesome movies that you can stream right now. 

From superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to intergalactic battles in the Star Wars movies, there is so much to stream with so many Disney+ prices and plans to choose from. It’s up to you to decide what the best movies are to watch. Here is what is available to stream right now. 

Hocus Pocus (And Hocus Pocus 2) (1993, 2022)

In Hocus Pocus, A trio of comedic witches (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) are resurrected by a teenager on Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts. Now, it’s up to the kids to somehow banish the witches for eternity before they steal the souls of the children around them to stay young forever. 

And in Hocus Pocus 2, the sisters are raised again, with a new generation of high schoolers, and are given a supposed fake black flame candle, but turns out, it’s very real. And now, the Sanderson sisters want even more power. The sequel, which stars the original trio, including Bette Midler, is full of witchery and fun, so be sure to check it out.

Stream Hocus Pocus on Disney+.
Stream Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+. 

Flubber (1997)

If you’re looking for a Robin Williams classic, look no further than Flubber. This iconic comedy starring the famous comedian tells the story of a professor who discovered “flubber,” but in discovering this, he ends up missing his wedding. Now, in order to win his fiance back, he tries to use this new invention, but it ends up taking a turn. As someone who grew up watching Robin Williams movies all the time, this was always one of my guilty pleasures - and I’m sure you’ll love it just as much as I do. 

Stream Flubber on Disney+.

Cinderella (2015)

Out of all of those live-action Disney remakes, Cinderella is by far one of my favorites. Based on the movie of the same name (which was based on the fairytale), Cinderella starring Lily James tells the story of a young, kind woman who is given one chance to go away to a ball for one night, only for her to meet a handsome prince. What more can you want? It’s a classic love story – featuring a great performance from Cate Blanchett. 

Stream Cinderella on Disney+. 

Hamilton (2020)

Watch Lin-Manuel Miranda’s beloved musical come to life in Hamilton, a recording of the Broadway production. This story of Alexander Hamilton spans years, from his early days in the American Revolution to his marriage to Eliza Schuyler, and later, to his time as the Secretary of the Treasury  of the United States - all set to some awesome contemporary music. 

Stream Hamilton on Disney+.

The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) (2024)

Welcome to the Eras Tour, otherwise known as the concert I’m sure you’ve heard so much about during both 2023 and 2024. Taylor Swift released the concert film of her legendary Eras Tour, simply titled The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) to Disney+. Showcasing her concert at SoFi Stadium, this movie will make you get up on your feet, sing and dance along, and probably make you want to listen to every single Taylor Swift album. 

Stream The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) on Disney+.

The Art Of Racing In The Rain (2019)

Based on the novel of the same name and starring This Is Us cast member, Milo Ventimiglia, and actress Amanda Seyfried, this story follows a race car driver, Denny, and the unbreakable bond that he shares with his dog, Enzo, a golden retriever that learns lessons not only from racing, but from his owner as well. 

Stream The Art of Racing in the Rain on Disney+. 

Flamin’ Hot (2023)

Directed by Eva Longoria, Flamin’ Hot is a biographical dramedy that tells the story of the alleged creator of the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto, one of the most popular snacks of all time, and his rise to success. The movie is a fun time, and features some great music – one song was even nominated for Best Original Song at the 2024 Academy Awards, “The Fire Inside.”

Stream Flamin’ Hot on Disney+. 

West Side Story (2021)

In this remake of the classic 1961 musical, based on the Broadway musical of the same name, two people from opposing cultures fall in love and have to find a way to be together despite their rival gangs fighting each other for territory in the 1950s. Nominated for several Academy Awards - and won in the case of Ariana DeBose as Anita - this remake  is one to remember and should be the example of how to properly redo a classic movie.

Stream West Side Story on Disney+. 

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Directed by Gil Junger, this classic teen rom-com is one you can’t miss. 10 Things I Hate About You, starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles, is based on the Shakespeare comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, and follows a bad boy who dates an antisocial girl in order to help out his friend date the antisocial girl’s sister. 

Stream 10 Things I Hate About You on Disney+. 

The Parent Trap (1998)

The Parent Trap follows two twins (played by Lindsay Lohan) separated due to divorce who suddenly find and meet each other at summer camp. They team up, switch places and head back to their parents' homes, with the intent of somehow trapping them together so that they can fall back in love and all be a happy family again. 

Stream The Parent Trap on Disney+.

Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u, And Other Great Documentaries

Did you know that Disney+ has several documentaries on a variety of interesting subjects? Maybe you want to learn the process behind one of Taylor Swift’s latest albums, Folklore, in Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. Maybe you want to feel all the feelings while watching Olivia Rodrigo’s documentary, Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u. Whatever you want, the  world is your oyster. 

Stream the documentaries and more on Disney+. 

Enchanted (2007)

Enchanted follows a young woman who is suddenly magically placed into the real world, away from her animated one. Now, she must find a way to get back to her home and to the love of her life - but this human world is far more than she bargained for, and she might find another prince in the city of New York. The movie even received a Disney+ sequel in 2022.

Stream Enchanted on Disney+. 

Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)

In Mr. Holland’s Opus, a composer who is frustrated with his work finds fulfillment in his life as a high school music teacher, taking the job to just pay rent at first, but finding that teaching the love of music to children is better than anything in the world. 

Stream Mr. Holland’s Opus on Disney+. 

Bridge To Terabithia (2007)

This fantasy drama will make you sob and smile at the same time. Bridge to Terabithia follows the story of two children getting closer to their teenage years who bond over a fantasy world they create in the woods near them, where they go to escape their lives, away from bullies, messed-up family, and more. 

Stream Bridge to Terabithia on Disney+.

A Goofy Movie (1995)

Get ready to stand out! A Goofy Movie is a classic Disney film that follows the story of Goofy and his son, Max, going out on a crazy adventure across the United States in an effort to bond – which only brings on more hijinks. As a late ‘90s/early ‘00s kid, this is the movie that brings me back. 

Stream A Goofy Movie on Disney+. 

Chip ‘N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)

While there are plenty of great kids shows on the streaming platform, I’m going to highlight a new one that came out in 2022. Chip ‘N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers follows the titular chipmunks, Chip and Dale, on an adventure unlike any other - going on a quest to discover what happened to their missign co-star, Monterey Jack. With a talented Chip ‘N’ Dale voice cast, featuring big-time names like Andy Samberg, John Mulaney, Kiki Layne and more, this is one you and your kids will enjoy. 

Stream Chip ‘N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers on Disney+.  

Father Of The Bride (1991)

If you’re looking for a classic romantic comedy, check out Father of the Bride. Starring Steve Martin, this film tells the story of a man who is experiencing the age-old terrifying quest that every father of a daughter goes through – their marriage, and all of the hijinks that follow. Truly, a hilarious ride, and it even has a 2022 remake now on Max. However, just check out the original.

Stream Father of the Bride on Disney+. 

Avatar (2009) And Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)

There’s no time like the present to check out the original Avatar. The classic sci-fi film follows humans as they travel to a distant planet in order to mine the resources to save Earth. There, they meet the mysterious Na’vi, the natives of Pandora. 

And, if you happen to enjoy the first Avatar, the sequel is available to watch on Disney+, too, following the story of Jake Sully and his family as they travel to a different tribe of Na’vi to avoid humans hunting them down. 

Stream Avatar on Disney+.
Stream Avatar: The Way of Water on Disney+.

Remember The Titans (2000)

In this fantastic sports film, Remember the Titans tells the story of a high school football team after an African-American is hired as their coach. Now, for the first time in the school’s history, they have a fully racially integrated team. But even with this bold step, there are still several people that feel integration shouldn’t happen - even on the football team itself. 

Stream Remember the Titans on Disney+. 

Freaky Friday

Starring Lindsey Lohan and the fabulous Jamie Lee Curtis, Freaky Friday tells the story of a mother and daughter with communication issues, but when a crazy night causes them to switch bodies, they must live out their days as if nothing has happened, while trying to figure out how to switch back. 

Stream Freaky Friday on Disney+. 

The Greatest Showman (2017)

If you want to check out a great modern musical, watch The Greatest Showman. Starring Hugh Jackman, the musical tells the story of P.T. Barnum, the legendary ringmaster of Barnum’s American Museum - later creating Barnum & Bailey Circus. Zac Efron and Zendaya also star. 

Stream The Greatest Showman on Disney+. 

Free Guy (2021)

You really can’t get better than Ryan Reynolds, and Free Guy is the best example of that. In this video game film, Reynolds stars as Guy, an NPC in a video game that ends up becoming the main character in more ways than one, teaming up with an unlikely ally in order to take down the game’s overlord – otherwise known as the developer. It’s a fun ride, no matter what. I need to see a sequel.

Stream Free Guy on Disney+.

Hidden Figures (2016) 

In this inspiring biographical film, Hidden Figures tells the story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, three brilliant African-American women who worked for NASA, and were the brains behind many of the operations there, like sending astronaut John Glenn into orbit. 

Stream Hidden Figures on Disney+. 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008 – Present)

Fly into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a near endless collection of amazing Marvel movies. Begin at the start with Robert Downey Jr.’s, Iron Man, or enjoy one of its latest entries and soar into space with The Marvels.  Or head into the wonderful Avenger’s Endgame to watch the cast kick butt and take names. You won’t be disappointed no matter what you pick. 

Stream The Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+.

Pixar Films (1995 – Present)

Do you feel like crying? Because Pixar will happily make you do it. Check out some of Pixar’s amazing animated films, from revisiting the classic Toy Story from 1995, to some of its newest entries like the Disney+ original, Turning Red. Or maybe you want to check out Elemental, Pixar’s latest 2023 release, which is now streaming on the platform.

Stream the Pixar films on Disney+. 

Disney’s Animated Films 

Disney is known for its wonderfully animated and joyous films, and there are plenty to watch on Disney+. From the very beginning of Disney film history with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to some of its newest hits such as the Frozen series or Encanto. Watch as you dive into the fantasy worlds of places like Tangled, or perhaps fly up into the air with the superhero film, Big Hero 6. No matter the genre, Disney will satisfy your needs. 

Stream all of Disney’s Animated Films on Disney+. 

Star Wars Saga 

Do you have what it takes to be a Jedi? Ask yourself that while you watch the Star Wars saga. Iconic films such as Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope are available to stream, as well as recent releases in the Star Wars universe, as well, such as Star Wars: Episode 7 - The Force Awakens. Be sure to also check out the Star Wars Disney+ originals, like The Mandalorian or the prequel series, Andor, once you’re watching all those lightsaber battles. 

Stream the Star Wars saga on Disney+. 

Pirates Of The Caribbean Movies (2003 – 2017)

Sail away on the seas and drink some rum with The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Johnny Depp stars in the film series, telling the story of Jack Sparrow, and his misadventures on the sea, and the crazy characters that he runs into. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley star in several of the films, as well. 

Stream the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise on Disney+. 

With so many amazing movies to watch, you’ll have endless hours of entertainment ahead of you. Now if you don’t mind me, I’m going to re-watch every MCU film for the umpteenth time.  

The Sanderson Sisters are back and causing chaos in Salem once again, nearly 30 years after the original Hocus Pocus. The cast of Hocus Pocus 2 includes a new trio bringing the witches back to life via the Black Flame Candle, though two original stars are sharing their reactions to the new Disney+ flick.

Omri Katz, who portrayed Max Dennison, the virgin who lit the candle, and Vinessa Shaw, who played Allison, Max’s crush, reunited for an interview with EW (alongside James Marsden, who voiced Thackery Binx as a cat) to discuss the cult-favorite that is Hocus Pocus and their time making the film. While Dani Dennison actress Thora Birch was dismayed she couldn’t participate in the sequel, the others weren’t actually asked to be in it, but that isn’t stopping them from saying nothing but good things about Hocus Pocus 2, as Vinessa Shaw praised the storytelling and, of course, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy:

Although it was a disappointment to hear that the OG Hocus Pocus stars wouldn’t be appearing in the sequel, I definitely love seeing that they have all good things to say about the movie. Last year, Shaw expressed interest in Hocus Pocus 2, and while that did not come to fruition, it’s nice to see that she loves the movie and its characters just as much.

Meanwhile, Omri Katz had a bit of a different reaction to Hocus Pocus 2. He admitted to not initially liking it, but when he came back to it, he came around. Though, of course, it would have been a bit better if there was just one thing that was added to it:

Despite Omri Katz not initially enjoying it, aside from the beginning, the fact that he decided to watch it again definitely says a lot. And even though critics have praised Hocus Pocus 2, it’s highly possible it would have been slightly better if Max, Dani and Allison were involved. Perhaps they can get their second chance in a third movie if it ever happens? At least the consensus is that Hocus Pocus 2 is an enjoyable movie.

A Hocus Pocus sequel has been in the works for a while now, and the wait was worth it. With the way Hocus Pocus 2 ended, it’s possible this won’t be the end of the Sanderson Sisters, but it may still be a while until we find out. The Hocus Pocus cast has been busy since the original movie, but you never know what might bring them all together again for another movie. And this time, maybe we’ll get Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw and Thora Birch involved.

Both Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2, as well as the Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash, are streaming with a Disney+ subscription if you ever want to get into the spooky mood or want to find a good family-friendly scary movie.

The young OG cast of Hocus Pocus is all grown up now in their forties! As the sequel to the iconic Halloween movie just hit Disney+, this brings so much more attention to the '90s throwback movie's behind-the-scenes secrets. An OG Hocus Pocus actor revealed that he got high during the filming of the movie, with that moment serving as a “wake-up call” for him.

During the early ’90s when Hocus Pocus was being filmed, Max Dennison’s Omri Katz was experimenting with marijuana. During a roundtable interview with EW, Katz admitted that he got high during the filming of Hocus Pocus, and how this moment was considered a “wake-up call” for him. As he explained:

Omri Katz’s co-star Vinessa Shaw was able to confirm that his claims were not a bunch of hocus pocus. While the retired actor may not remember which scene he got high in, Shaw laughed believing she had an idea. She remembered it as the part when Winifred Sanderson first zapped Max when they were in the witch’s cottage. Looking back, Katz would agree that he did, indeed, look high in that scene. Now we won't be able to watch that part the same way again!

Unfortunately for Hocus Pocus 2, many of the OG stars from the original did not return. Director Anne Fletcher’s reasoning for not including the original three, non-witch leads was she didn’t know where to place them. She knew it wouldn’t make sense to have them be small cameos or in the background. Katz previously told EW that he would have loved to have been involved in the sequel for fans to have the chance to see him reprise his role. If it was up to me, I would have had the original leads still living in Salem, with Max and Allison’s kid being the one to vanquish the Sanderson Sisters as their parents did. After all, Thora Birch was originally going to come back as a teacher still in Salem, but at the least the direction that Hocus Pocus 2 ended up with had us focus on the new characters brought to the story.

As you can see in photos of the original cast of Hocus Pocus 29 years later, Omri Katz is not 16 years old anymore, but he still looks like he’s got a good head on his shoulders. After Hocus Pocus came out, his acting career slowed down and he eventually retired in 2002. However, it looks like cannabis still plays a role in his life, as he and his partner, Michele Watters, live in Los Angeles and he now runs The Mary Danksters, a cannabis company. But he still shows his love for Hocus Pocus whenever he can, like when he made an appearance at Freeform’s Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash. We’ll always remember him as Max Dennison, the virgin responsible for lighting the black flame candle.

Omri Katz being high during the filming of Hocus Pocus really was a good “wake-up call” to him and many actors in the industry to always keep it professional on set and stay away from substances while at work. You can watch both Hocus Pocus movies on your Disney+ subscription. 

Halloween is almost here, and we all tend to see our tastes in film shift a bit toward horror movies. While there are some great horror movies one can enjoy this time of year, in most cases that means truly terrifying movies potentially full of incredibly mature violence. But even horror movies that aren't necessarily terrifying aren't always suitable for everybody. What about those people, of all ages, who don’t mind movies that are a little bit spooky, but need the terror down to a manageable level? The good news is there are some options on Disney+ for Halloween movies that are not too scary.

If you’re looking for a good Halloween movie that has the ability to give you some legitimate chills, but is still suited for the whole family, there are a few great options you can find if you have a Disney+ subscription.

Hocus Pocus (And Hocus Pocus 2) 

Hocus Pocus is a movie that is remembered quite fondly by the generation that grew up with it, and certainly the movie, on balance, is more silly than scary. However, the original Hocus Pocus does have a scene where the three witches are hung by their necks, which, while it certainly isn’t graphic, still shows three bodies hanging off the ground, making the death scene more clear than you might expect from a Disney movie. It’s also about child murder, after all.

Hocus Pocus 2 is probably a bit less terrifying for even the youngest viewers, but it’s still the perfect sort of movie for a family of all ages to enjoy on Halloween together. It has a great spooky vibe going if you want something that feels dark without being all that scary. 

 The Nightmare Before Christmas 

The Nightmare Before Christmas has become an absolute classic over the years, not only as a Halloween movie, but as a Christmas movie too. There's even something of a debate as to whether Nightmare is ultimately a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie. While the film is able to be both things surprisingly well, I would argue that it is primarily a Halloween movie because a lot of the imagery can get quite creepy, even in the more Christmas-focused scenes.

The younger the audience, the scarier The Nightmare Before Christmas can be. The opening musical number alone just throws every manor of scary creature at you one after the other. Oogie Boogie, a walking burlap sack full of all sorts of creepy, crawly things that could easily freak out young viewers. The stop motion animation itself lends itself to a general feeling of unease, as nothing moves quite right. 

The Haunted Mansion 

Disney’s first attempt at a movie based on the Haunted Mansion attraction went so well that Disney is now making a new Haunted Mansion movie in an attempt to help people forget the first one ever existed. The attraction itself, while it has its moments, is not particularly scary. The movie based on it is certainly more of a comedy than horror, but the Haunted Mansion movie isn’t as bad as a lot of people think, and it does have some shining moments as well.

One sequence in the middle of the film sees Eddie Murphy and his daughter stuck in a crypt while numerous corpses come to life, all while the daughter nearly drowns. It's a sequence that would fit almost perfectly in any more more mature horror movie. It has kids screaming in terror, and there’s a decent chance that really young kids might also scream in terror.

Frankenweenie 

Frankenstein is one of the all-time great horror stories that has been adapted so many times in so many ways that it’s near impossible to keep track of them all. Frankenweenie is certainly on the lighter side of the various adaptations but whether you watch Disney's live-action short or the feature length stop motion film, both of which can be found on Disney+, both movies are still distinctly Tim Burton, and therefore distinctly creepy.

There’s something inherently scary about that classic black and white film look, so even the parts of Frankenweenie that aren’t scary on their own feel like they could go that way at any moment. While the title character of the dog that comes back to life is probably the least scary creature in the film, that’s because there’s plenty more to freak you out.

The Adventures Of Icabod & Mr. Toad 

Ok, so this one cheats a tiny bit as technically only half of the movie qualifies for this Halloween theme, but it does it so well we can’t leave it out. The Adventures of Icabod and Mr. Toad comes from the era of Disney Animation when the studio was focusing on packaging shorter animation segments together to build feature films. This one includes an adaption of The Wind in the Willows, which is good, but the Disneyland ride based on it is actually scarier that the film.

The other half, however, is an adaptation of Washington Irvin’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and it’s actually quite scary. While there are some humorous elements to balance the scares, the Headless Horseman is one of Disney's scariest villains, and the story has a pretty chilling ending, about as far from a traditional Disney happy ending as you could possibly imagine.

Every horror fan has to start someplace, and most probably didn’t find a love for slasher movies out of nowhere. These are the sorts of films that kids watch and discover they actually like the scary parts, leading to them eventually looking for more. 

Since Hocus Pocus 2 hit Disney+ this past weekend, the return of the Sanderson sisters has been the talk of the Halloween season. The movie has become the streaming service’s most successful original ever. Also, fans of the original have been raving about it, saying it’s a “wicked good time” and “worth the wait” 29 years after Hocus Pocus. However, one mother of three who resides in Central Texas has recently gone viral for warning families off of viewing the new release. 

Jamie Gooch initially took to Facebook to share her thoughts about Hocus Pocus 2, but the post has since been removed. However, the Texas mom spoke to KWTX about her thoughts regarding the Disney+ original film. She warned viewers of “a worst-case scenario” that it could “unleash hell on your kids and in your home.” Here are more of her thoughts: 

Gooch and her family do not participate in Halloween and are a family of the Christian faith. The woman who resides in Troy, Texas said they have not participated in the October holiday for four or five years, sharing that the “thought of exposing our kids to darkness”  “grieves” her. Following the viral moment, another happened shortly after when a parody of the original video by Jimmy Kimmel Live! writer Blaire Erskine blew up, via Twitter:

The Texas woman initially had warnings to share about Hocus Pocus 2, but she also delved into a larger issue she believes is at play in regard to what people choose to bring to their homes through their TV screens. While Gooch is certainly receiving her share of laughs and side-eyes from fans of Hocus Pocus and Halloween, she shared that “a lot of people agreed” with her too. 

Overall, Gooch hopes her words will “make a difference” even to “one person’s life.” While she gets that many people won’t "understand" her views, the Texas mom said in her view, as a Christian “we are held to a higher standard.” Disney was reached out for comment on Gooch’s concerns, but has not issued any replies. 

Hocus Pocus 2 sees the return of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson sisters after the first movie became a staple for families during the Halloween season. (Unfortunately, Thora Birch is not among the returning cast). Though the movie certainly could have made money in theaters, it went straight to Disney+ subscribers and has become a massive hit. 

You can check out one of our writer's own thoughts about tuning into Hocus Pocus 2 here on CinemaBlend. You can also see what upcoming horror movies are heading to theaters and streaming this spooky season, for those who partake in the Halloween season. 

Hocus Pocus 2 just had the largest domestic premiere in Disney+’s history. If you read the fine print, that means over its first three days, it was consumed for more total hours than any other debuting film in the streaming service’s history. That’s an accomplishment, though to be honest, I’m not really sure what level of adjective I should put before accomplishment. 

What does it mean to be the largest domestic premiere in Disney+’s history? Is that closer to Avengers: Endgame breaking the record for biggest opening weekend in box office history? Or is it closer to Spinal Tap being called one of England’s loudest bands? I truly have no idea, and that’s a great example of what’s so confusing right now about the entire movie landscape. 

We’re in the middle. The before was back when every new film went to theaters, save some random TV movies, which were typically of dubious quality. The after will be when some kind of hybrid distribution solution is solidified and embraced by most of the major studios. We’re not there yet. We’re still in the middle, and the middle is so confusing.

Someone asked me the other day why Hocus Pocus 2 didn’t go to theaters. I thought about it, and I didn’t know. I’ve thought about it more, and I still don’t know. I spent like 10 minutes Googling various phrases to see if a Disney exec ever gave an official reason. I couldn’t find it, but even if there’s an official corporate explanation floating next to the Sanderson Sisters in Salem, I doubt it would explain anything because it’s all too complicated for a nice pull quote. So, let’s talk this out.

The Case For Hocus Pocus 2 Going To Theaters

The argument for Hocus Pocus 2 getting a theatrical release is pretty simple. People love things they already love. If you don’t believe me, just look at how many reboots, remakes and reimaginings there have been over the last decade. Sequels and/ or long awaited new versions of movies like Top Gun, Jumanji, Bad Boys, Rocky, Halloween and Jackass have all done big business at the box office. Now, I'm obviously not saying Hocus Pocus is the same as all those other franchises, but the cult of Hocus Pocus is incredibly loud each October. The fact that it got more viewers its opening weekend than heavily-promoted, well-reviewed Pixar movies that went straight to Disney+ like Soul and Turning Red is a testament to how large the cult is.

I’m not saying Hocus Pocus 2 would have thrown up a hundred million dollar weekend at the box office, but at the risk of roasting myself, I know a lot of people my age and older who saw the original in theaters and would have loved to take their families to the sequel. You’d think if you combined casual fans like myself, the obsessives in that aforementioned cult, kids and people who see everything Halloween-related, you probably could have gotten to a fifteen or twenty million dollar opening weekend. With a limited marketing campaign, it feels like some profit was left on the table. Plus, a lot of us just like watching movies in theaters.

The Case For Hocus Pocus 2 Going Directly To Disney+

Counterpoint. Even if my above example played out exactly as predicted, is there enough money on the table there for Disney to really care? Way back in the day, long before anyone ever lit the Black Flame Candle, movie theaters used to make their yearly profit in much smaller chunks. If a movie made fifteen or twenty million dollars after all the expenses, that was a tremendous win. I’m not saying that’s not a win now, but ultimately, the success or failure of Disney’s year, from a theatrical standpoint, is much more tied up in how major franchise movies perform. Those have a potential to make hundreds of millions of dollars in profit.

A theatrically released movie going to a streamer after a short window is certainly a perk for the users of that service, but it’s not nearly the same level of perk as getting a fresh movie for free as soon as it’s released. The success or failure of a streaming service is directly related to having enough new offerings each month to convince the current users to stay and new users to join. Based on this being the biggest premiere in Disney+ history, I feel comfortable saying Hocus Pocus 2 more than did its job elevating the value of Disney+ subscriptions this month. That's huge and probably more important than anything it could have done at the box office.

Some Final Thoughts

Right now, Disney is trying to grow a streaming service and make money at the box office at the same time. Unfortunately, these two goals are always going to be somewhat in conflict with each other because there is a limited number of new movies and TV shows released each year. For each one of these pieces of content, a choice needs to be made about how it can best help Disney accomplish its goals. 

Unfortunately I’m not in these high level strategy sessions, but I’d have to imagine the thought process was simply that Hocus Pocus 2 could help Disney+ more than it could help theatrical grosses. Whether the gigantic first weekend streaming numbers are verification they made the right decision or evidence of a missed opportunity probably depends on which Disney exec you ask.

The Mouse House is not the only streamer dealing with this exact problem. Much has been written about HBO Max over the past several months and its decision to essentially abandon a lot of the content intended to head directly to streaming, as well as get rid of stuff already on there. Many viewed that decision as a sign it was done trying to compete with Netflix. Later this month, Universal will release the latest Halloween in both theaters and on Peacock on the same day. All around the industry, companies are wrestling with these same questions without any concrete answers.

I don’t know what Disney’s long-term plans are or how big it’s trying to grow Disney+, but I do feel certain that this is far from the last film that doesn't make the movie release schedule and leaves questions in its wake about how much money was left on the table. It’s going to be messy for awhile. That’s what happens when you’re in the middle.

Spoilers ahead for Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+.

Nearly 30 years after their torment on Salem, the Sanderson Sisters have returned for the long-awaited Hocus Pocus sequel. Although Hocus Pocus 2 has a lot of Easter Eggs from the original film, there is one thing that is a little different. Hardcore fans would remember that Kathy Najimy’s Mary Sanderson had a crooked mouth. Though when the sisters are resurrected for a second time, it’s on the other side. Now the actress is revealing just why that is the case.

Kathy Najimy’s beloved witch is definitely known for having her quirks and dealing with the short end of the stick when it comes to air travel. In the first Hocus Pocus, Mary’s mouth on one side was always crooked, and it was never explained why and they keep it up in the new film, though slightly differently. Najimy spoke to EW about it and the explanation is simple yet makes total sense:

Hocus Pocus was definitely a simple film back in the day, which is why it’s so beloved still to this day. The storyline was easy to follow; it was cheesy, but you still couldn’t help but to love it. And most critics found Hocus Pocus enjoyable, so even if the crooked mouth was a little part of the movie, it definitely made it interesting.

Those that have seen Hocus Pocus 2 may have caught that there actually was a subtle explanation to the reverse crookedness, according to Najimy:

While the explanation is short, it works pretty well, even if it’s a blink-and-you'll-miss-it scenario. Since the sisters have been gone for so long, it could also explain why the crooked jaw is on the other side. But either way, Mary is still as quirky as ever, and her getting upgraded from a vacuum to a Roomba proves it.

Meanwhile, the ending of Hocus Pocus 2 might have indicated the return of the Sanderson Sisters in the future, as a black cat went up by a box labeled “B.F. #2” as in there’s a second Black Flame Candle to bring them back. While talks of a third movie might be a while from now, fans can still theorize about what might happen and if Mary’s mouth will be crooked on its original side. Maybe we can also hope for the return of Max, Dani, and Allison? With Thora Birch dismayed about not appearing in the sequel, there’s no doubt she’d want to return for another one if given a chance.

Hocus Pocus 2 is now streaming on Disney+ with a subscription, so make sure to grab your broomsticks and spellbooks for a scary good time. If you need more fights in your life, be sure to check out all the horror movies for 2022 and in the future.

Minor spoilers ahead for Hocus Pocus 2.

Spooky season is officially upon us, with the festivities ushered in by the long-awaited release of Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+. The streaming sequel brought back the trio of legends as the Sanderson Sisters, was full of awesome easter eggs, and also featured a bunch of fresh talent. That includes three alums from RuPaul’s Drag Race, who dress up as the witches during one scene: Season 14’s Kornbread Jeté, Season 13’s Kahmora Hall, and three-time competitor Ginger Minj. And Ginger recently shared a sweet Bette Midler story from the set of Hocus Pocus 2.

Ginger Minj is a fan favorite from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and she’s having a busy month this October. On top of appearing in Hocus Pocus 2, she’s also one of the hosts of Huluween Dragstravaganza, which is special coming to Hulu at the first of the month. As you can see in the video above, I had the privilege of speaking with Ginger and fellow Drag Race icon Manila Luzon about the streaming event, which is when I asked about her experience working with the legendary Bette Midler on the critically acclaimed sequel. She revealed a sweet story about Midler advocating for her on set, telling me:

What a class act. While Bette Midler was busy leading the cast of Hocus Pocus 2 decades after the original movie, she still took the time to make sure her drag counterpart Ginger Minj looked her best in the highly anticipated sequel. After all, drag makeup requires the right lighting and cinematography to properly read on camera. Luckily the Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner has known a drag queen or two during her years treading the boards.

Film sets are notoriously grueling, and it sounds like Hocus Pocus 2 was no exception in that regard. Night shoots are known to be exhausting, especially while one is also dealing with cold temperatures. But that didn’t stop Bette Midler from bringing it as Winnifred Sanderson (including in the emotional finale), or making sure that her co-stars get the appropriate lighting.

Later in our conversation, Ginger Minj further went on to explain this once-in-a-lifetime interaction with Bette Midler. The two got to share an intimate moment while cameras were resetting, and the Drag Race legend was taught an important lesson in the process. As she put it,

Talk about a pinch me moment. Not only did Ginger Minj get to share the screen with Bette Midler, but she was clearly able to learn a great deal from the experience. And to top it all off, the First Wives Club star personally Ginger under her wing during their time together. It sounds like she’s going to take that lesson to future film sets.

As previously mentioned, Ginger Minj is also hosting the Huluween Dragstravaganza alongside RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Monét X Change. The special features musical numbers and sketches, with the cast including more drag legends like Lady Bunny, Manila Luzon, Jackie Beat, and Mo Heart.

Hocus Pocus 2 is streaming on Disney+ now, and Huluween Dragstravaganza will follow suit October 1st on Hulu. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release list to plan your next movie experience. 

Someone must have put some sort of time-warp spell on all of us because it is hard to believe that nearly three decades have passed since Hocus Pocus was first released in theaters. It is even harder to believe that a sequel to the spooky, funny cult classic is now available with a Disney+ subscription.

While it is great to see Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker on the Hocus Pocus 2 cast reprising their roles as the Sanderson Sisters, as well as Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson, a part of us wishes that we could we see more stars from the original film make an appearance. Well, at least we can give you a glimpse at what the classic Hocus Pocus cast looks like now by swiping through the slideshow below.

Warning: spoilers for the Hocus Pocus 2 ending are in play. Should you not have had the chance to run amok with the Sanderson Sisters, consider this a warning. 

It’s been a while since the Sanderson Sisters have scared up some new fun in the world of Hocus Pocus. Expansion on the 1993 classic was slow moving, despite the best efforts of Bette Midler and all others involved. Eventually the world of upcoming movies saw Hocus Pocus 2 become a reality almost 30 years later, complete with a fresh plot of villainy.

Did Hocus Pocus 2’s finale deliver an adventure worthy of that first chapter from so many people’s childhoods? Well, that’s what we’re about to dig into, as it’s time to look deeper into how this latest round of mischief and magic panned out. If you’re not ready for spoilers, you can check out CinemaBlend’s official review, which is free of twists and turns. Otherwise, come loyal readers, we’ll take thee away! It’s time for a land of spoilers and enchantment. 

What Happened At The End Of Hocus Pocus 2?

In the final moments of Hocus Pocus 2, Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler) and her sisters Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) attempt to cast the Magicæ Maxima; a power spell that’s supposed to grant them great abilities. Their aim is to seek revenge against the descendants of Reverend Traske (Tony Hale), the man who banished them from Salem as teenagers; and inadvertently turned them onto witchcraft.

Estranged friends Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) form a surprise coven, after a lifetime of a more than passing interest in witchcraft. Standing up to the Sandersons, they technically defeat them. The big difference is, Hocus Pocus 2’s new cast of heroes actually gets the audience to feel sorry for the witches that once tried to eat all of the children in Salem.

Magicæ Maxima: The Spell To End All Spells

Winnie, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson were fairly warned, from day one, that the Magicæ Maxima was bad news. Even Mother Witch (Hannah Waddingham), she who gifted them their beloved Book, warned that this spell was not to be cast at any cost. It’s inferred that Mother may have even seen her own coven lost because of her own experience with that specific incantation. 

The Magicæ Maxima is a spell of ultimate power, which is exactly why Winifred is intent on casting it in Hocus Pocus 2. Always the most forceful sister with a plan, getting revenge on the Traske bloodline beats out even trying to become eternally young as a priority to Winnie. Of course, this comes at an unexpected cost, as does most of the greatest ambitions in the Disney library of IP. 

Coincidentally, this spell requires blood from a Traske family member. Ultimately, this is what brings Cassie back together with Becca and Izzy, as she happens to be the daughter of none other than Mayor Traske (Tony Hale). As one coven forms its undoing, another is bound tighter in their quest for survival.

The Consequences Of The Magicæ Maxima, And What They Mean For The Sanderson Sisters

Functionally, the Sanderson Sisters are still villains throughout the events of Hocus Pocus 2. They steal the blood of a young teenager to rule Salem with their wicked ways, and if they had their way, they’d use the Magicæ Maxima to kill the Traskes as a start. However, one important catch trips up the entire scheme, as casting this power spell requires you to lose that which you love the most.

For Winnie, the successful casting of this spell means Mary and Sarah had to be dusted into the great beyond. For all the bluster and cruelty she and her sisters have engaged in, their love for each other was what always bound them. Winifred, regretting what she’s done, pleads with the young coven to make things right. Our witchy icon has discovered her limits, as the cost of losing her sisters is not something she can live with.

Upon Book’s suggestion, Becca, Izzy, and Cassie cast the Spell of Reunion, and send Winifred to rejoin her sisters. The Sanderson Sisters leave this mortal plain once more, albeit in a much nicer context than in Hocus Pocus. This could have a pretty big effect on a potential second sequel, and the door is absolutely open to such a concept.

What Does This All Mean For A Potential Hocus Pocus 3?

Becca, Izzy, and Cassie are our new heroes, as well as the new coven of witches in Salem! Hocus Pocus 2’s ending could see them continuing to hone their powers, and become forces of magical good. That is, if that last second appearance of Mother Witch, in her bird form, isn’t a sign of temptations ahead. Mother is definitely ready to try and shape this new generation of witches, but her intentions aren’t clear.

Depending on where the potential Hocus Pocus 3 story goes, we could see the Sandersons return to reveal more of their magical past with the Mother Witch. After all, the post-credits scene included at the end does show us another Black Flame candle that’s just sitting on a shelf in Salem. All it takes is a virgin and a full moon to bring the Sanderson Sisters back. It's just a question of what type of people they'll be after this most recent revival.

Hocus Pocus 2 and its ties to the past have only enhanced all that has come to pass. If fan reaction manages to manifest the magic that the Mouse House is hoping for, there’s no end to what the future could bring. Of course, that depends on whether the early reactions to Disney+’s latest original is an indication of where everyone else will land. 

All of the Sandersons' cinematic history, including Hocus Pocus 2, is available to anyone with a Disney+ subscription! Easter egg hunters will want to refresh their memories of the events of Hocus Pocus, as that knowledge will help you spot the many references and callbacks to the original Halloween classic. Anything could be the inspiration for another cauldron of comedy.

Minor spoilers ahead for Hocus Pocus 2.

If there is one quintessential Halloween movie it’s probably 1993’s original Hocus Pocus. While it was originally a flop, it became a cult classic that’s been passed down across generations. And after three decades, a sequel was finally filmed and released on Disney+ (see our review here). There are plenty of delightful callbacks to the original throughout its runtime, Hocus Pocus 2 has one touching easter egg you might have missed.

The events of Hocus Pocus 2 once again see the Sanderson Sisters rise from the dead after the black flame candle was lit on Halloween night. Director Anne Fletcher and screenwriter Jen D’Angelo include lots of fun easter eggs throughout the movie, but there was one that really hit me in my feelings. Namely the footage of late icons and siblings Garry and Penny Marshall from the original movie. 

Around halfway through the runtime of Hocus Pocus 2, the three witches search Salem for the trio of young protagonists. During this sequence Bette Midler’s Winnifred Sanderson flies by a house, where a couple is laughing and watching TV. And the clip is actually from the first movie, as you can see below:

This scene, complete with Bette Midler knowing looking on, is a surprisingly heartfelt tribute to the late filmmaker and actors. Both Penny and Garry Marshall forever left their mark in the industry as a whole, which is why so many fans out there mourned when they passed away in 2018 and 2016 respectively. Luckily Hocus Pocus 2 featured the perfect tribute to that beloved sibling duo.

While Hocus Pocus 2 only featured a handful of returning characters, the spirit of the fist movie definitely flows throughout the streaming sequel. The myriad easter eggs help provide connective tissue, while the tribute to Penny and Garry Marshall also gives respect where respect is due.

Funny enough, this isn’t the only easter egg in Hocus Pocus 2 that’s all about Penny and Garry Marshall’s truly iconic scene from the original movie. Two Salem residents are actually dressed up as their characters on Halloween night, and are shown briefly waiting behind Tony Hale in line for candy apples. You can see an quick glimpse of them below,

Between these two moments, it truly is heartwarming to see how much love and respect was paid for the pair of late filmmaker/actors in Hocus Pocus 2. While director Anne Fletcher had some very big expectations to meet, the critical reception for the streaming sequel has been rather warm. We’ll just have to wait and see how the generations of fans take to the Sanderson Sisters’ latest adventures through Salem.

Both Hocus Pocus movies are currently streaming on Disney+. Be sure to check out the 2022 premiere list to plan your next movie experience. 

As the spooky season inches closer, people are preparing to watch the beloved cult classic Hocus Pocus again and again and again. And with the long-awaited sequel finally releasing, we will have double the Sanderson Sisters. While Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Doug Jones are returning from the original cast, the movie will be without Omri Katz, Thora Birch, and Vinessa Shaw. Now Birch is opening up about her disappointment about not being in the sequel. 

Thora Birch portrayed young Dani Dennison, the annoying yet lovable little sister to Omri Katz’s Max. When the Hocus Pocus sequel was announced, it was revealed that the trio wouldn’t be in the new movie, and the reason for them not returning made sense. If they were in the movie, it would have been with them as the main cast and just as background characters, which simply couldn’t be done since it was difficult and would be a distraction from the main story, according to director Anne Fletcher.

Birch spoke to ET recently, and she got candid about not being part of the sequel despite being one of the main stars in the original movie 30 years ago:

It’s definitely a disappointment that Thora Birch, Omri Katz, and Vinessa Shaw aren’t in Hocus Pocus 2. Though it sounds like if not for Birch filming something, she would have found a way to be in the movie, or at least on set, especially since she knew what the Disney+ sequel's story was. It does make me wonder what a sequel involving the trio would look like.

Meanwhile, the cast of Hocus Pocus 2, besides the returning four, involves not only a new young trio dealing with the Sanderson Sisters but young versions of the witches as well. Hopefully, if there is another Hocus Pocus movie, we’ll see the returns of Max, Alison, and Dani. 

Thora Birch has been plenty busy since Hocus Pocus three decades ago. The actress continued to succeed on both the big and small screens in the ‘90s and ‘00s, including as Tina “Teeny” Tercell in the coming-of-age film Now and Then. She can also be heard on the podcast Overleaper, and she was on The Walking Dead as Gamma/Mary. Birch is set to make her television directorial debut with Lifetime’s The Gabby Petito Story, airing October 1.

Although we won’t be seeing the return of Dani Dennison, fans should take comfort in the fact that if it was up to her and if she had time, it definitely would have happened. At least Hocus Pocus is always on TV every October and, it can be streamed on Disney+ with a subscription whenever we feel like it. Plus, Hocus Pocus 2 drops on Friday, September 30, only on Disney+! Check out what upcoming horror movies are creeping up next following Hocus Pocus 2. 

The Sanderson Sisters are back, and just in time for Halloween, albeit 29 years after the original movie became an annual fall tradition. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker have reprised their roles, and are joined by some pretty great new cast additions, including Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale, Sam Richardson, Whitney Peak and more. Anticipation is through the roof ahead of its September 30th release to those with a Disney+ subscription, and the reviews are in to give us a sense of what to expect and see how the sequel ties into the first movie.

First reactions to the Hocus Pocus sequel were overwhelmingly positive, as it seems Winnie, Mary and Sarah Sanderson are summoned back to Salem by three high school students via black flame candle. The witches are hungry for revenge and, presumably, children. So let’s see what the critics are saying, starting with the CinemaBlend review of Hocus Pocus 2. Our own Mike Reyes rates the film 3.5 stars out of 5, saying it doesn’t miss a beat bringing back the magic. While this movie isn’t as dark as the original, it’s just as funny, he says: 

Jude Dry of IndieWire grades the film a B-, saying the sequel is satisfying enough for those who rewatch the original Hocus Pocus each fall. The plot and the jokes are basically the same as the first time around, but you really can’t go wrong with the caliber of talent the three stars bring to the screen. The critic says:

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting rates the sequel 3.5 skulls out of 5, also noting that the Sanderson Sisters aren’t quite as menacing this time around, but they still have that magical touch, and the trio of professionals slip back into these iconic roles easily. More from the review: 

Lovia Gyarkye of THR says Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy are electric, with their scenes being the most enjoyable in the movie, even though — as other critics have also noted — the characters have been softened. The film struggles a little in how to honor the OG movie while still progressing the story, but the end product is still satisfactory, the writer says: 

Maggie Lovitt of Collider gives Hocus Pocus 2 a B+, also noting that the lead trio is an absolute delight to see reunited. The sequel is full of nostalgia, relaying messages about friendship and sisterhood. The critic says: 

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY, however, calls the sequel “wretched,” rating it just 1.5 out of 4 stars. He says the Sanderson sisters are more filler than killer in this follow-up, but that the younger trio aren’t given the character development they need either: 

If you’ve been looking forward to adding Hocus Pocus 2 to your annual watch list, you don’t have to wait much longer! The sequel is set to hit Disney+ on Friday, September 30. And with October knocking on our doors, check out our list of upcoming horror movies. You can also see what else is coming soon to theaters with our 2022 Movie Release Schedule.

Hocus Pocus has a celebrated status amongst Disney movies, and while it may not be the most popular in the Mouse House library, it is one of the few directly tied to Halloween. Watching the movie as a child can get anyone in the mood for the season, but as an adult, Hocus Pocus hits a bit differently. At least, that’s how I felt, and after my latest viewing experience, I feel like there are some uncomfortable truths we must acknowledge ahead of Hocus Pocus 2’s arrival (which finally happened after many years of pitching). 

The following, in case it needs to be said, should be taken as tongue-in-cheek. Hocus Pocus is a fun movie, and is one of the best Bette Middler movies out there. That said, I think as we all get older and continue to watch this classic every year, it’s obvious there are some glaring issues with the plot and other events in the movie. Let’s dive in and address some of the weird and uncomfortable truths about this Halloween staple.

The Sanderson Sisters Had To Have A Much Easier Solution To Escape Being Hanged 

Hocus Pocus’ main premise hinged on the spell in which the Sanderson sisters link their resurrection to the lighting of the Black Flame Candle. The spell was super elaborate, so much so that it took centuries for the exact circumstances to occur so that they could return. Sure, this is a movie and we needed an excuse to bring the story to more modern times, but surely I’m not the only one who felt like the Sandersons didn’t explore all their options before their execution. 

I would think that if the Sanderson Sisters could concoct a spell as elaborate as their resurrection terms, surely they could’ve escaped being hung by the townsfolk in the 1600s. Those ropes didn’t even look that tight around their necks, so it’s possible they could’ve escaped without the use of magic entirely. They also could’ve bewitched the townsfolk into setting them free or even made the barrels they sat on impossible to move. It just seems like they threw in the towel way too easily here, and could’ve done a lot more things than just sitting there and waiting to die. 

Max Might’ve Been A Pot Head

As far as new kids go, Max came in hot during Hocus Pocus. This Californian kid had the nerve to dismiss Halloween in Salem, but he also made it painfully obvious he walked to the beat of a different drum. In fact, it seemed like Max felt the key to his self-expression was embracing stoner culture, which makes me wonder, was Max a pothead? 

The question might sound ridiculous, but is it any weirder than a kid in 1993 embracing the classic tunes of The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix? Let me also point out that Ernie and Jay seemed to know what was up with Max from the start. Bullies don’t just decide to hit up a freshman for some smokes unless they had a reasonable suspicion he had some. I guess they might’ve just wanted those Nike shoes, but I prefer to think the former and that Max was likely puffing the cheeba, perhaps to cope with leaving California for Massachusetts. It’s a shame Max won’t be back for Hocus Pocus 2, as we could’ve gotten some answers about this!

Thackery Kind Of Got Shafted When That Curse Lifted

Once the Sanderson sisters were defeated, Thackeray Binx finally had his curse broken. His reward for spending centuries as a cat guarding a candle was a quick death to be reunited with his sister. To be frank, Thackery got a raw deal in all of this all things considered. 

In what world can a spell turn a teen into an immortal cat, but the minute it’s broken, he immediately ages and dies? Hocus Pocus could’ve at least allowed Thackery to attempt to acclimate to life in the '90s. Sure, he might’ve died quickly anyway while his body caught up to centuries of medical advances and various evolved diseases, but damn, at least he would’ve had a chance to live a full life!

The Sanderson Sisters Could’ve Literally Drained The Life Force Of Any Child To Suceed

As the first point really drove home, the Sanderson sisters had a lot of options to escape their gruesome fate. What’s even weirder was their obsession with targeting Max, Allison and Dani when the spell said they only needed to take the life force of a child to retain their youth, and yet somehow they never thought to try and just grab any unsuspecting child to get that done. Wouldn’t it have been super easy to grab any other child for this on Halloween night? 

With all due respect, I’m beginning to think the Sanderson Sisters weren’t the smartest witches in the coven. It seems like they would’ve stood a much better shot at regaining their youth capturing another random child in the meantime, and then if they were really concerned with Max, Alison and Dani, they could’ve used the rest of their regained youth to track them down. Perhaps the resurrection spell fried their brains a bit, though as mentioned, it doesn’t seem like they were that bright in the first place.

Why Did That Random Dude Invite The Sandersons Into His Home?

We don’t talk enough about how the guy dressed as “Satan” meets three grown women dressed up for Halloween and immediately starts role-playing with them like it’s a normal thing to do. If I’m being real, he’s the real weirdo of Hocus Pocus and had to have something weird in mind for the Sanderson sisters had his wife not interjected and gotten them out of the house. 

That said, the less cynical side of me wonders if perhaps this man was just in desperate need of feeling important. We got a brief glimpse of what his home life was with his wife, and it doesn’t seem like he had a lot of chances to be called “master” in recent years. It’s possible this guy just thought he won the lottery and found three women who were ready to shower him in kindness. He probably still shouldn’t have danced with Sarah Sanderson either way.

WTF Kind Of Party Was Alison’s Family Hosting? 

Halloween parties are a common occurrence when the holiday rolls around, and even adults are known to dress up for the holiday. With that said, there’s something weird as hell going on in Allison’s family household. Everyone in town is dressed like they’re some 1770s nobles, and are just chatting it up like that’s an entirely normal thing to do. 

It’s even weirder when you realize that every adult shown at the party is in the most elaborate costume for the event. There’s no couple that showed up and figured the dress-up theme was a suggestion, or a couple that really decided to go with a budget option for their look. What’s even wilder is that Allison stated they do this every year. I would hate to be on the guest list because I’m not sure I have the bank account for such elaborate costumes!

Hocus Pocus is available to stream with a Disney+ subscription right now, and Hocus Pocus 2 will be available on Disney+ starting Friday, September 30th. The window is quickly closing for anyone who wants to re-watch the original before the sequel, so be sure to do that if you haven’t already. Or, for anyone looking for something a little more intense, check out our list of upcoming horror movies to enjoy. 

When I think of actresses who have truly shaped my childhood, one of the first that comes to mind is Bette Midler. While I didn’t see most of her iconic films as a kid, the one that stood out to me was the kid's horror comedy, Hocus Pocus – and eventually her character from that film ended up becoming one of my favorites. 

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten the chance to really watch all of her best work from her time in the spotlight, and honestly, this actress has some amazing projects that you have to check out. From films to television specials, these are the best Bette Midler movies and TV shows and how you can watch them streaming. 

Hocus Pocus (1993)

I mean, we had to start off with Hocus Pocus. In this classic Disney film, a teenager moves to Salem with his sister and his parents and ends up lighting a black-flame candle on Halloween night. This awakens the spirits of the Sanderson sisters, who’s only wish is to gain power and look young again by stealing youth from children. 

I feel like with a lot of people of my generation, this is the first film you think of when you hear the name Bette Midler, and for good reason. The Hocus Pocus cast is amazing, but she is on another level with her character acting. The fact that she was able to perfectly deliver so many clever lines so effortlessly and still look amazing while doing it – with those horrible fake teeth in, as well – just shows how effortless she makes acting look. This is, hands down, one of my favorite Halloween movies, and I can’t wait for the sequel. I’m so excited for the Sanderson sisters to come back to life.

Stream Hocus Pocus on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Hocus Pocus on Amazon.

The Rose (1979)

Next up on the list, we have the drama, The Rose. This film, which is loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin, follows the story of a fictional rockstar and her time in the spotlight, as well as her struggle with drugs and trying to make it day by day. 

This was one of the few roles that Midler received an Academy Award nomination for, and for good reason. She is just so damn good and I could rewatch this movie a million times and not get sick of it. Watching her sing is like a whole different experience, and combining that with her acting skills makes for an excellent film. 

Buy The Rose on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Politician (2019 - 2020)

We now take a look at the Netflix original series from creator Ryan Murphy, The Politician. With a star-studded cast, this series tells the story of Payton Hobart, a normal man from Santa Barbara who is very passionate about the world and is in a different political race every season, following his adventures and hijinks in politics and government. 

Midler wasn’t in the first season, but her main character in Season 2 of The Politician, Haddassah Gold, was comedy gold (pun intended). She was so funny and performed so well, and it’s shows like this where I remember just how funny she really is. It makes me want her in more satires/comedies like this, because she rocks it. 

Stream The Politician on Netflix.

Divine Madness (1980)

Next up, we have Divine Madness, which is a little bit different from the other films on here. It's a concert film that follows the singer and her backup singers, the Harlettes, during their concerts in 1979, performing many of her most popular songs and her beautiful voice. 

While it’s not a scripted film like many of the others here, I put the movie here because this is where we really get to see her true personality and how talented she is. Her voice is out of this world and something that I will listen to on a daily basis, and those who have never listened to her sing live before should watch this. You’ll have a whole new appreciation for her. 

Rent/Buy Divine Madness on YouTube.

For The Boys (1991)

Another film that earned her a nomination for an Academy Award was For The Boys, which was released in 1991. The musical dramedy is all about real-life performer Dixie Leonard and her partnership with Eddie Sparks as they travel across the country during the 1940s to put on shows for the troops. 

As the second role on this list that earned her an Oscar nomination, and won her a Golden Globe, Midler is stellar in For The Boys. Not only does it show her musical talent once again, but her comedic timing is just on fire and perfect. Definitely one of my favorite movies that I think more people need to see if they like musical dramedies. 

Rent/Buy For The Boys on YouTube.

Gypsy (1993)

The second television entry on this list isn’t a show or a miniseries, rather, it's a television film, and I need to talk about Gypsy. This 1993 made-for-television film, based on the stage musical of the same name, stars Midler as Rose Hovick, a stage mother who will stop at nothing in order to get her daughter noticed so she becomes a headliner. 

This film was just so damn good. Growing up, I’ve experienced some awesome made-for-television films, but Gypsy knocks all of them out of the park with it’s stellar cast, incredible music numbers, and of course, Bette Midler in the lead role. It’s not surprising to know that her voice was beautiful in every way possible. She was even nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special for her part in the movie. 

Stream Gypsy on Pluto TV.

Outrageous Fortune (1987)

Starring Midler and Shelley Long, Outrageous Fortune is a comedy that tells the story of two women who unknowingly are sharing the same man. However, when he suddenly vanishes, both of them go on an adventure to find him, discovering that he’s not exactly what he seems. 

Again, Midler is just funny. I saw it in Hocus Pocus as a kid and I see it even more now as an adult when I watch her in older movies such as this one. Both leads have some amazing chemistry. She was even nominated for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for the Golden Globe Awards for her performance. 

Rent/Buy Outrageous Fortune on YouTube.

Down And Out In Beverly Hills (1986)

If you want a film about a dysfunctional family, boy, do I have one for you. Down and Out in Beverly Hills is another comedy, which follows the story of a rich family that lives in the coveted location of Beverly Hills, California, but their lives are turned upside down when they save the life of a homeless man who was suicidal, making their already dysfunctional home a little bit more crazy. 

Four words – Bette Midler/Richard Dreyfuss. That’s it, that’s the sentence. 

On a real note, both share awesome chemistry and made me laugh more times than I’d like to admit while watching this film, and I’d really love to see them in another film together. It would be something fun, for sure. 

Rent/Buy Down and Out in Beverly Hills on Amazon.

The Addams Family (2019)

They’re creepy and they're kooky. You know who they are – The Addams Family. In this animated version of the classic creepy family, we follow as they move into a bland neighborhood, and create even more tension when Wednesday happens to make friends with the daughter of a radio host who is quite the opposite of the family themselves – a conformist, gasp. 

I have always adored this family. I grew up watching the movies from the 1990s with Anjelica Huston and the entire iconic cast. I am so excited for the Netflix series, Wednesday. And, this film was super enjoyable, too. But, Bette Midler as Grandma was just the perfect casting among everyone else here. She got everything about the character that we have seen before into her voice and was able to portray her perfectly. If Grandma appears in the live-action Wednesday, please bring her on to play her; she would be perfect. 

Stream The Addams Family on Amazon Prime.
Rent/Buy The Addams Family on Amazon.

The Glorias (2020)

Next up, we have a biographical drama called The Glorias. This film is all about Gloria Steinem, based on the book, My Life on the Road, and how she learned and changed as time went on, from her childhood all the way to her older years as a feminist journalist and activist.

The fun part of this film is that the role of Gloria Steinem is actually portrayed by four different actresses, which is something that’s always intriguing to see. Midler actually plays Bella Abzug, a real-life social activist and someone who worked closely with Steinem, and her portrayal is great. 

Stream The Glorias on Amazon Prime.
Rent/Buy The Glorias on Amazon.

Beaches (1988)

Next up is the dramedy, Beaches, and this film tells the story of two friends with completely different lives – one a rich debutante and the other an entertainer – and how their difference affected their relationship over the course of their lives.

The film didn’t do so well with the critics back then, but it was a commercial success thanks to the strong performances of Midler and Barbara Hershey. It was supposed to have a sequel, but it was never made, so we'll have to be satisfied with the popular original. 

Rent/Buy Beaches on YouTube.

The First Wives Club (1996)

Starring Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton, The First Wives Club is a comedy that is all about three women who want one thing – revenge. But, not that bloody kind. All they desire is justice for themselves after their cheating husbands left them for younger women. 

I could go on for hours about how fun this film is, but since I can’t do that, I’ll simply say this - the three core cast members have awesome chemistry. I want more movies with them together. 

Stream The First Wives Club on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy The First Wives Club on Amazon.

Ruthless People (1986)

Last but not least, we have Ruthless People. In this dark comedy, we follow a couple who are looking to get revenge on their former boss, so they kidnap his wife. But, as time goes on, they learn that there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than they expected. 

I can’t function when actor Danny DeVito and Bette Midler are on the same screen together. And, I mean that in the best way, because I’m laughing so hard. As the stars of this film, they really do knock it out of the park and I’d give anything to see them on the same screen again. Hollywood, listen to me – we need more of these two together. 

Stream Ruthless People on Amazon Prime through AMC+.
Rent/Buy Ruthless People on Amazon.

So many films and TV, so little time. But, whatever you pick from Midler’s catalogue, you’ll surely be entertained. 

The time is finally upon us: Hocus Pocus 2 — the sequel fans have been wanting for nearly 30 years — is mere days away from making its release to those with a Disney+ subscription. The Sanderson Sisters are back, along with some additions to the Hocus Pocus universe, and while fans might be missing some of the original stars, it should also be exciting to see what actors like Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale, Sam Richardson and more can add to the franchise. There are some who have the answer to that too, as the film has screened, and people are taking to Twitter to share their first reactions to the long-awaited sequel. 

Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker have reprised their iconic witchy roles, as the first trailer for Hocus Pocus 2 shows a new trio of protagonists lighting the black flame candle while trying to perform their own magic, thus summoning the dastardly sisters. Let’s take a look at the social media reactions, starting with CinemaBlend’s Mike Reyes. He tweets that this sequel is definitely worth the wait, as it is focused on providing fresh stories rather than simply replaying what worked the first time around: 

As well as feeling fresh, as noted above, the movie also appears to pay homage to those who have made Hocus Pocus rewatches an annual fall event. Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky tweets that fans will love the callbacks, and should expect some tugging of the heartstrings as well: 

For those looking forward to seeing Doug Jones’ return as Billy Butcherson, it sounds like Hocus Pocus 2 might delve more into his story. Check out what critic Ashley Saunders has to say:

How many fans are ready for the Sanderson Sisters to “put a spell on you” again? Josh Jones said the sequel includes more great musical numbers: 

Movie Gossip agrees that the soundtrack is “gorgeous,” and, like others who have screened the film, mentions they weren’t expecting the emotional notes: 

Maggie Lovitt of Collider has great things to say about the cast additions, and says this sequel is as good as the original: 

Josh Ryan of Fandom Wire says get ready for a new fall tradition, as the sequel finds the balance between keeping what endeared audiences to the first movie, while still evolving for viewers three decades later: 

It sounds like those who have been excited for this one can go ahead and keep their hopes up, because the reactions to the screening are overwhelmingly positive. Hocus Pocus 2 is not scheduled for a theatrical release, so call up all your friends to organize a watch party on Disney+, as the movie will be available for streaming on Friday, September 30. Also be sure to check out our full list of upcoming Disney movies, along with all the upcoming horror movies coming up to feed your spooky season appetites. 

When it was announced that Hocus Pocus 2 plans were in the works, it was time to brainstorm the perfect way to bring the Sanderson Sisters back to life. After all, it has been 30 years since we saw the rising of the sun — spoilers! — turn Winnie into stone and Sarah and Mary into dust. Bette Midler explained one idea that was tossed around for the Hocus Pocus sequel that would have tied in with the original movie.

The first at look of Hocus Pocus 2 shows the Sanderson Sisters are back together with the OG actors reprising their wicked roles. According to EW, the three leading ladies discussed with the film's director Anne Fletcher what to include in this Disney sequel when it was coming together. Midler shared one idea that would have tied in with the original.  

I can imagine a scene like this maybe at the beginning of the movie since the last film ended with the witches’ demise. Kathy Najimy, who played Mary Sanderson, said they had phone discussions about narratives and character arcs, that while they wanted the “delicious” flavor of the previous film, they also wanted to bring something new to it too.

While the original film’s opening sequence showed what led to the initial demise of the Sanderson Sisters back in the 1600s, Anne Fletcher explained the sequel’s first scene will tie back even further into history.

While we know the original actors playing the sisters will come back, and there will be a few more ties. However, the character of Allison will not be making an appearance as well as another popular Hocus Pocus character Binx played by Jason Marsden won't be returning either. The sibling duo of Max and Dani played by Thora Birch and Omri Katz will not be in the sequel either. Fletcher’s reasoning for why these OG stars are not returning is because she couldn't work them into the film. If it was up to me, I would have had the original characters somehow help the young leads of this long-awaited sequel take on the sinister sisters like they did 30 years ago. But on the bright side, Doug Jones will be back to play the lovable zombie Billy Butcherson. So, at least the '90s generation will have that to look forward to.

Like all nostalgic films that make a long-awaited return, I’m confident there will be a mix of old and new flavors that audiences today will enjoy. You can find Hocus Pocus 2 on your Disney+ subscription on September 30.

Hocus Pocus was the sequel that definitely wasn't originally expected. While the first movie was initially a box office bomb with mixed reviews, annual TV airings of this Disney fantasy flick made it a Halloween classic. Winifred Sanderson actress Bette Midler recently recalled pitching Hocus Pocus 2 for years, and the fun moment she realized it could really happen. 

The Disney classic that focuses on three witches from 300 years ago coming back to life has ended up being a part of the Halloween tradition, with its 25th anniversary on Freeform bringing in 8.2 million viewers. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bette Midler spoke about the fun way she discovered that the sequel to Hocus Pocus could actually become a reality.  

So that explains how she was able to revive her character when she sported her signature costume at the annual Halloween gala for the New York Restoration Project. It proves that not all actresses can leave the roles that helped them become iconic, even if it was over thirty years ago. There have been multiple attempts to revive the Sanderson Sisters for another movie. Midler has said for years how much she wanted a Hocus Pocus sequel. And she wasn’t happy when the studio was flirting with doing a remake instead. Can you blame her? No one can play the conniving yet zany leader of the Sanderson Sisters like Bette Midler can. 

As soon as it was confirmed that the original Hocus Pocus cast signed on for the sequel (and luckily not a remake), it was time for Hocus Pocus fans everywhere to plan a watch party. A first look revealed that clearly no time has passed as not only Midler but her co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy still look like their magical selves from thirty years ago. The First Wive's Club actress prepared to bring her character back to life again by perfecting her Old English accent and contributing the suggestion for the Sanderson Sisters to sing two big musical numbers. We’ll just have to see for ourselves if any of these new covers can top the legendary show-stopper “I Put a Spell On You.”

If Hocus Pocus 2 becomes a success, it’s a pondering question if this means we’ll get more movies. The “Wind Beneath My Wings” singer says that of course she’d be willing to sign on, but feels she doesn’t know how there could be more films. But that doesn't mean she won't continue taking any opportunity she can to reunite with her on-screen sisters.

It’s a good thing that Bette Midler discovered all of the Hocus Pocus merchandise surrounding the beloved Halloween classic or fans may not have gotten a sequel without her persistence. Watch Bette Midler revisit one of her most memorable roles in Hocus Pocus 2 coming to your Disney+ subscription on September 30th. Check out all the upcoming horror movies coming up during spooky season.