Enter a Rotten Tomatoes movie slug to inspect the stored movie, batches, snapshots, and reviews.
Movie ID: 1156
RT slug: hocus_pocus_2
RT URL: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hocus_pocus_2
Release year: —
Runtime: 103 mins
Wide release date: —
Limited release date: —
Festival premiere date: —
Streaming release date: 2022-09-30
Tomatometer final: 65%
Audience score final: 47%
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Holiday, Kids & Family
Directors: Anne Fletcher
Writers: Jen D'Angelo
Producers: Lynn Harris
MPAA rating: PG
Executive Producers: —
Created: 2026-08-13 11:19:26
Updated: 2026-08-13 11:19:26
It's been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow's Eve.
Hocus Pocus 2 is basically a boiling cauldron of nostalgia, but that's just enough for this belated sequel to cast a reasonably effective spell.
Canonical reviews: 156
Canonical fresh: 101
Canonical rotten: 55
Canonical calculated Tomatometer: 65%
Latest snapshot UTC: 2026-08-13 10:42:49
Snapshot Tomatometer: 65%
Snapshot review count: 156
Snapshot fresh count: 101
Snapshot rotten count: 55
Source note: Imported from manual review paste batch #2732 (full_snapshot)
| Company | Role |
|---|---|
| David Kirschner Productions | production |
| The Walt Disney Company | production |
| Walt Disney Pictures | production |
| Billing | Name | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bette Midler | Winifred 'Winnie' Sanderson |
| 2 | Sarah Jessica Parker | Sarah Sanderson |
| 3 | Kathy Najimy | Mary Sanderson |
| 4 | Doug Jones | — |
| 5 | Whitney Peak | — |
| Batch ID | Status | Mode | Created | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1172 | processed | — | 2026-08-13 11:19:26 | Processed successfully into movie_id=1156 using update_mode=merge_non_empty. |
| Batch ID | Local Snapshot | UTC Snapshot | Entered % | Entered Count | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2732 | 2026-08-13 05:42:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-13 10:42:49 | 65% | 156 | processed | Mode=full_snapshot. Processed 156 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=156, fresh=101, rotten=55, tomatometer=65%. Net new reviews added=156, fresh=101, rotten=55. Current canonical totals=156 reviews, 101 fresh, 55 rotten, tomatometer=65% (64.744%). Entered review count matched parsed batch count (156). Entered tomatometer matched parsed batch value (65%). |
| ID | Critic | Outlet | Fresh? | Score | RT Time Raw | Approx Published UTC | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 241949 | Joonatan Itkonen | Region Free | Fresh | 4/5 | 2024-07-03T15:59:50.000Z | 2024-07-03 15:59:50 | Hocus Pocus 2 made me laugh, often uncontrollably, and it made me misty-eyed by the end. That’s all I ask from films like it, and I can’t wait to see it again with my friends. Preferably in costume, with candy, and then again every year afterward. |
| 241950 | Felix Vasquez Jr. | Cinema Crazed | Fresh | — | 2023-10-02T01:29:02.000Z | 2023-10-02 01:29:02 | There is a lot to enjoy about the sequel, even for stubborn fanatics of the Kenny Ortega feature film. |
| 241951 | Kevin Slane | Boston.com | Fresh | 3/4 | 2023-08-09T16:12:40.000Z | 2023-08-09 16:12:40 | While there are plenty of fan service nods to its 1993 predecessor, “Hocus Pocus 2” stands capably on its own, offering a spooky diversion for a whole new generation of viewers. |
| 241952 | Zach Pope | Zach Pope Reviews | Fresh | — | 2023-07-25T21:30:36.000Z | 2023-07-25 21:30:36 | A surprisingly good sequel that contains heart, laughs, & fun! If you enjoy the first you’re gonna enjoy this one |
| 241953 | Gissane Sophia | Lady Geeks Media | Fresh | — | 2023-07-23T19:44:15.000Z | 2023-07-23 19:44:15 | The Sanderson Sisters are back in hilariously campy and gripping force, making Hocus Pocus 2 an emotionally gratifying flight. |
| 241954 | William Jones | CBR | Rotten | — | 2023-01-09T20:22:33.000Z | 2023-01-09 20:22:33 | Dinsey's long-awaited Hocus Pocus 2 has arrived, but in a strange turn of events, it's derailed by its fixation on the Sanderson Sisters. |
| 241955 | LaNeysha Campbell | But Why Tho? | Fresh | 6.5/10 | 2023-01-04T21:45:44.000Z | 2023-01-04 21:45:44 | Hocus Pocus 2 is brimming with hijinks, fun music numbers, and laughs. Unfortunately, the plot is the weakest link in this film. |
| 241956 | Samuel Leggett Jr. | JVS Media & Productions/Team JVS | Fresh | 6/10 | 2022-12-27T03:24:11.000Z | 2022-12-27 03:24:11 | If you enjoyed the cheesiness & shenanigans of the Sanderson sisters you'll appreciate this one as well. A lot of easter eggs and similar moments that will surprise you. But in terms of adding to the story or adding stacks that is non-existent here |
| 241957 | Randy Meeks | Espinof | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-12-05T18:39:36.000Z | 2022-12-05 18:39:36 | This sequel has a strong screenplay, coherent dramatic progression, strong characters, and surprising twists, but it's missing the spark that made its predecessor legendary. [Full review in Spanish] |
| 241958 | Julia Delbel | ComingSoon.net | Fresh | 6/10 | 2022-11-30T22:13:39.000Z | 2022-11-30 22:13:39 | It will most likely please kids looking for some spooky vibes as the Halloween season arrives (and I would say this one is a bit less scary for young ones than the first might have been) which is probably what Disney was hoping for. |
| 241959 | Maan Jalal | The National (UAE) | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-11-03T18:53:27.000Z | 2022-11-03 18:53:27 | Despite its marginal issues, the film is a great watch for fans of the original or a whole new generation ready to be bewitched by the Sanderson sisters. |
| 241960 | Mark McPherson | Film Inquiry | Fresh | — | 2022-10-29T00:10:50.000Z | 2022-10-29 00:10:50 | Hocus Pocus 2 is like pulling out that year-old candy from last Halloween and being mildly surprised it doesn’t taste that bad. |
| 241961 | Brian Bromberger | Bay Area Reporter | Rotten | — | 2022-10-27T18:41:45.000Z | 2022-10-27 18:41:45 | Double, double toil and trouble/ Fire burn and cauldron bubble./ Hocus Pocus' sequel stumbles/ in a plot that often crumbles./ While not awful, tis a struggle. |
| 241962 | Freda Cooper | What To Watch | Fresh | 4/5 | 2022-10-23T16:41:41.000Z | 2022-10-23 16:41:41 | There’s life in the old Mouse yet. Because the Sanderson Sisters — and their sequel — are, quite simply, wicked. |
| 241963 | Victoria Luxford | City AM | Fresh | 4/5 | 2022-10-18T17:02:42.000Z | 2022-10-18 17:02:42 | Hocus Pocus 2 isn’t here to convert anyone. If the first movie isn’t on your radar, then it’s unlikely this will be either. However, for the many who made it a spooky season classic, it’s a delicious work of fan service that will cast a spell on you. |
| 241964 | Lael Loewenstein | FilmWeek (LAist) | Fresh | — | 2022-10-14T22:53:12.000Z | 2022-10-14 22:53:12 | There's lots of mayhem, silliness, and wonderful comic bits. |
| 241965 | Loren King | Newport This Week (RI) | Fresh | — | 2022-10-14T00:22:06.000Z | 2022-10-14 00:22:06 | Of course, it’s campy and fun. But despite lines about eating children, or teenagers, to achieve immortality, these witches are completely defanged. |
| 241966 | Joe Lipsett | Horror Queers Podcast | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-10-13T12:36:42.000Z | 2022-10-13 12:36:42 | A delightfully breezy sequel that knows the Sanderson sisters are the main draw and rightfully gives them the spotlight, even though this results in pretty slight characterizations for its teen protagonists |
| 241967 | Apeksha Bagchi | We Got This Covered | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-10-12T18:25:15.000Z | 2022-10-12 18:25:15 | While the witches do manage to put a spell on us, their bewitching skills have taken a serious hit courtesy of a plot that doesn’t even try to find its footing. |
| 241968 | Trace Thurman | Horror Queers Podcast | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-10-11T22:22:51.000Z | 2022-10-11 22:22:51 | Way better than any 29-years-later sequel has any right to be, Hocus Pocus 2 is a delightful, if slight, time. |
| 241969 | Josh Davis | Pop Culture Leftovers | Fresh | — | 2022-10-11T17:51:33.000Z | 2022-10-11 17:51:33 | The sequel has plenty of Easter eggs and nods to the original, but there's definitely some magic missing. |
| 241970 | Lindsay Press | Culturess | Fresh | — | 2022-10-11T17:31:17.000Z | 2022-10-11 17:31:17 | Hocus Pocus 2 is just as fun as its predecessor. |
| 241971 | Robin Holabird | Robin Holabird | Fresh | — | 2022-10-10T22:12:03.000Z | 2022-10-10 22:12:03 | Overall, the film remains true to its source—juvenile but fun. |
| 241972 | Gregory Wakeman | Chicago Reader | Fresh | — | 2022-10-07T23:28:24.000Z | 2022-10-07 23:28:24 | As soon as the trio turn up, Hocus Pocus 2 immediately becomes compelling and enjoyable. |
| 241973 | Matthew Jacobs | TV Guide | Rotten | 3.8/10 | 2022-10-07T19:10:10.000Z | 2022-10-07 19:10:10 | In shedding the original's director, peppering the Salem scenery with CGI that looks garish instead of kitschy, and reuniting the oft-impersonated witch trio nearly 30 years later, something was bound to get lost. You can't brew the same potion twice. |
| 241974 | Leo Brady | AMovieGuy.com | Rotten | 2/4 | 2022-10-07T18:06:04.000Z | 2022-10-07 18:06:04 | The expectations should not be high because they never were high, but Hocus Pocus 2 is not memorable enough, nor exceeds the original to explain its bewitching existence. |
| 241975 | Russ Simmons | KKFI-FM (Kansas City) | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-10-07T02:18:26.000Z | 2022-10-07 02:18:26 | It’s very broad and cornball, but then so was the original. |
| 241976 | Chris Wasser | Sunday Independent (Ireland) | Rotten | 1/5 | 2022-10-06T00:04:31.000Z | 2022-10-06 00:04:31 | This joyless, witless, plotless and unfathomably worthless endeavour hasn’t a clue what it’s at, and I’m genuinely mortified for everyone involved. Diabolical stuff. |
| 241977 | Tori Brazier | metro.co.uk | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-10-05T21:25:57.000Z | 2022-10-05 21:25:57 | Hocus Pocus 2’s main selling point is the amount of love for the first film that has been poured into the second, excusing most quibbles. |
| 241978 | Austin Burke | Austin Burke/Flick Fan Nation | Fresh | 6.5/10 | 2022-10-05T18:12:02.000Z | 2022-10-05 18:12:02 | This is a nostalgic sequel that actually has a reason to exist. The story has an interesting set of ideas and more heart than expected. It is familiar, but the Sanderson sisters are ridiculously entertaining. |
| 241979 | Kevin Carr | Fat Guys at the Movies | Fresh | 2.5/4 | 2022-10-05T17:14:06.000Z | 2022-10-05 17:14:06 | It’s a fun and silly romp that should play very well with fans of the original film. |
| 241980 | Jennifer Green | Common Sense Media | Fresh | 4/5 | 2022-10-04T23:23:52.000Z | 2022-10-04 23:23:52 | Hocus Pocus 2 plays to its followers with some references to the 1993 original, but you certainly don't have to have seen that film to enjoy this one, and the addition of modern-day teenagers could help draw in new followers. |
| 241981 | Alex Maidy | JoBlo's Movie Network | Fresh | 6/10 | 2022-10-04T17:26:40.000Z | 2022-10-04 17:26:40 | I liked Hocus Pocus 2 for what it is but it is not nearly as good as it could or should have been. Fans will be satisfied and newcomers will be entertained, but in no way does this movie improve upon the original. |
| 241982 | Gabi Zietsman | Channel24 (South Africa) | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-10-04T06:11:29.000Z | 2022-10-04 06:11:29 | Luckily, there's enough sentimental magic to smooth over the rough narrative patches. |
| 241983 | Sarah Knight Adamson | Sarah's Backstage Pass | Fresh | 3/4 | 2022-10-04T03:56:27.000Z | 2022-10-04 03:56:27 | I'm thrilled the Sanderson sisters are back as Anne Fletcher’s directing decisions have paid off as the Halloween theme-based movie will have the younger fans screaming for more Hocus Pocus adventures, and this critic is fine with that. |
| 241984 | Kristy Strouse | Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying | Rotten | — | 2022-10-04T02:30:19.000Z | 2022-10-04 02:30:19 | It wasn't a bore, and there are things I liked, but mostly I didn't feel a tingly witchy moment. Either way, I'd recommend it to any fan of Hocus Pocus, just don't expect too much magic. |
| 241985 | Marshall Shaffer | The Playlist | Rotten | C- | 2022-10-04T02:01:22.000Z | 2022-10-04 02:01:22 | This version of the Sanderson sisters is just caricatured, with about as much dimensionality as the mannequins at a Spirit Halloween store. |
| 241986 | Tori Preston | Pajiba | Fresh | — | 2022-10-04T00:19:47.000Z | 2022-10-04 00:19:47 | The sequel manages to do quite a bit more than just offer a direct line to our nostalgia -- it also takes aim at the less beloved elements of the original and updates them thoughtfully. |
| 241987 | Carmen Phillips | Autostraddle | Fresh | — | 2022-10-04T00:02:26.000Z | 2022-10-04 00:02:26 | Hocus Pocus 2 really is cute (enough). If you’re in the right mood, it’s maybe even good. |
| 241988 | Cody Leach | Cody Leach (YouTube) | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-10-03T23:05:03.000Z | 2022-10-03 23:05:03 | The long-awaited sequel delivers a fun follow-up that lacks the magic of the original. The Sanderson Sisters don't miss a beat reprising their roles and are easily the highlight. The protagonists, plot, and a strange final act decision drags it down. |
| 241989 | Shirley Li | The Atlantic | Fresh | — | 2022-10-03T20:36:47.000Z | 2022-10-03 20:36:47 | The film wears its ridiculousness so proudly, it’s impossible to disdain. It is both a diverting watch and a sly commentary on its predecessor’s strengths. |
| 241990 | Alicia Gilstorf | Tell-Tale TV | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-10-03T20:24:00.000Z | 2022-10-03 20:24:00 | No, it’s not the original. But for one brief moment, we are transported back to those crisp fall days, wrapped in blankets, watching Disney Channel’s latest Halloween marathon, and the morning feels glorious. |
| 241991 | Peter Canavese | Groucho Reviews | Fresh | 2.5/4 | 2022-10-03T20:02:40.000Z | 2022-10-03 20:02:40 | Marginally improved...and Midler, Parker and Najimy still play their characters with the hammy gusto of 1966 Batman villains. |
| 241992 | Joey Rambles | Cultured Vultures | Fresh | 6.5/10 | 2022-10-03T12:28:09.000Z | 2022-10-03 12:28:09 | Hocus Pocus 2 is certain to delight fans of the first film with the return of the Sanderson sisters as well as Billy Butcherson, but anyone looking for interesting new additions to the franchise is sure to be disappointed. |
| 241993 | Emily Zemler | Observer | Fresh | 3/4 | 2022-10-03T10:49:12.000Z | 2022-10-03 10:49:12 | Long-time fans of Hocus Pocus will have a lot of expectations for a sequel, most of which are likely met here. The special effects are better, obviously, but the vibe remains. Hocus Pocus 2 will undeniably get you in the Halloween spirit. |
| 241994 | Peter Gray | The AU Review | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-10-03T01:08:55.000Z | 2022-10-03 01:08:55 | Hocus Pocus 2 doesn’t match its predecessor, but it also doesn’t seem to be attempting to, which, in turn, assists this enjoyable, if predictable, sequel in performing the right amount of whimsy through its sleight of hand. |
| 241995 | Adam Olinger | Adam Does Movies (YouTube) | Rotten | — | 2022-10-02T18:56:52.000Z | 2022-10-02 18:56:52 | The Sanderson sisters are back... to ruin your childhood, on Disney+. |
| 241996 | Alan French | Sunshine State Cineplex | Rotten | 5/10 | 2022-10-02T12:02:18.000Z | 2022-10-02 12:02:18 | Without letting the Sandersons return as their purely evil selves, it feels like we’ve missed out on a throwback to 90’s teen romps. |
| 241997 | Helen O'Hara | Empire Magazine | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-10-02T10:53:29.000Z | 2022-10-02 10:53:29 | This is just as unevenly plotted as the original, lacks even the element of surprise, and is not by any reasonable standard “good”. Between gooey and ghoulish, there must be better options. |
| 241998 | Grant Watson | Fiction Machine | Fresh | 7/10 | 2022-10-02T06:34:00.000Z | 2022-10-02 06:34:00 | Whether or not Hocus Pocus 2 is going to work for the individual, then, depends as much on the viewer’s attitude as it does the film’s own merits. |
| 241999 | Dennis Schwartz | Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews | Rotten | C | 2022-10-02T06:14:38.000Z | 2022-10-02 06:14:38 | Had no soul. |
| 242000 | Sara Michelle Fetters | MovieFreak.com | Rotten | 2/4 | 2022-10-02T05:24:07.000Z | 2022-10-02 05:24:07 | Hocus Pocus 2 has more magic than its predecessor, but that does not mean it casts a memorable or lasting spell. |
| 242001 | Candice McMillan | Seattle Refined | Rotten | — | 2022-10-01T22:32:07.000Z | 2022-10-01 22:32:07 | A sweet, innocuous, but ultimately vapid follow-up film that ... doesn't hold a black flame candle to the original. |
| 242002 | Doug Walker | Channel Awesome | Rotten | — | 2022-10-01T18:33:17.000Z | 2022-10-01 18:33:17 | 2.5 / 4 I can't say it's bad, but it didn't leave an impression either. Casual fans of the original may enjoy seeing the trio back together again, but I doubt they'll ever watch it again. |
| 242003 | Lauren Humphries-Brooks | Citizen Dame | Fresh | — | 2022-10-01T18:10:59.000Z | 2022-10-01 18:10:59 | If this sequel is less biting than the original, Hocus Pocus 2 is still a candy-coated poison apple held out performers whose enthusiasm filters through the screen. |
| 242004 | Rosa Parra | In Their Own League | Fresh | 4/5 | 2022-10-01T16:43:08.000Z | 2022-10-01 16:43:08 | “Hocus Pocus 2” is the perfect sequel to the classic film. With a little more emotional stakes, this movie is bound to follow the first film by becoming a Halloween season must-watch. |
| 242005 | Shannon McGrew | Nightmarish Conjurings | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-10-01T15:49:12.000Z | 2022-10-01 15:49:12 | Even with all its flaws, I found HOCUS POCUS 2 to be a light-hearted, mischief romp that’s a great companion piece to a Halloween classic. |
| 242006 | Patrick McDonald | WBGR-FM (93.7 FM - Monroe, WI) | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-10-01T14:40:10.000Z | 2022-10-01 14:40:10 | Loved that the Divine Ms Midler took over and really chewed some scenery, and the witchy trio had a ton of fun - think The 3 Stooges, female and with magical powers. It was contagious and it seemed like they all hadn’t lost a step in 29 years. BEWITCHING! |
| 242007 | Paul McGuire Grimes | KSTP-TV (St. Paul, MN) | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-10-01T12:47:56.000Z | 2022-10-01 12:47:56 | Everyone watching the sequel is here for Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy who have slipped back into their iconic roles as if no time has passed. The chemistry between them is fantastic as they play off each other so well. |
| 242008 | Johnny Gayzmonic | Fanboys of the Universe | Rotten | 6/10 | 2022-10-01T12:04:57.000Z | 2022-10-01 12:04:57 | Cute, amusing, even sparkling at times, but ultimately just a glamour hiding a confused and directionless story. The Sandersons are just as wickedly entertaining as ever, but they’re done dirty by the weak and shallow script. |
| 242009 | Eddie Harrison | film-authority.com | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-10-01T09:13:47.000Z | 2022-10-01 09:13:47 | …It’s fun to see these girls shake things up in Salem; although Hocus Pocus 2 remains a safe, family franchise, these witches are still worth hunting for… |
| 242010 | Dana Han-Klein | We're Watching What?! | Rotten | 3/5 | 2022-10-01T05:09:09.000Z | 2022-10-01 05:09:09 | Lacking the much of the charm and spookiness of the original, this often feels like a commercial or vehicle for product placement. While not a terrible time, it doesn't feel like a 29 year in the making payoff. Would suggest tempering expectations. |
| 242011 | Fico Cangiano | CineXpress | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-10-01T04:12:31.000Z | 2022-10-01 04:12:31 | The original trio of loony witches (Midler, Jessica Parker and Najimy) doesn't miss a beat in this nostalgic sequel that manages to be campy fun for the whole family. [Full review in Spanish] |
| 242012 | James Verniere | Boston Herald | Rotten | C | 2022-10-01T01:08:19.000Z | 2022-10-01 01:08:19 | Not a single original idea in this film. Attaching new lyrics to Blondie song and recreating choreography of Thriller? Awful. |
| 242013 | Neil Soans | The Times of India | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-10-01T00:58:26.000Z | 2022-10-01 00:58:26 | It manages to brew its own magic with the right amount of sugar and just enough spice. |
| 242014 | Juanma Fernández París | El Nuevo Día (Puerto Rico) | Rotten | — | 2022-10-01T00:48:01.000Z | 2022-10-01 00:48:01 | Jen’DAngelo's screenplay doesn't have any issues recycling the funniest, most memorable moments of Hocus Pocus, but doesn't find new, fertile ground for the characters to flourish. [Full review in Spanish] |
| 242015 | Abby Olcese | Crooked Marquee | Rotten | D+ | 2022-09-30T23:29:26.000Z | 2022-09-30 23:29:26 | Very little care seems to have gone into this sequel, other than a cursory watching of the 1993 movie and a checklist of what the studio thinks the original’s fans liked the most. |
| 242016 | Ani Bundel | NBC News THINK | Fresh | — | 2022-09-30T23:19:22.000Z | 2022-09-30 23:19:22 | The result is a joyful film that works well for both the 5-year-old child who is finally getting the hang of Halloween and the 15-year-old who still enjoys kid movies at heart. |
| 242017 | Yohana Desta | Vanity Fair | Fresh | — | 2022-09-30T21:39:42.000Z | 2022-09-30 21:39:42 | Hocus Pocus 2 trades deeply on that nostalgia, riding high off the goodwill of seeing those actors in their beloved witchy garb again. Though it doesn’t steer close to the campy magic of the original, that’s as good a reason as any to return to Salem. |
| 242018 | Kevin Maher | The Times (UK) | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-09-30T21:38:04.000Z | 2022-09-30 21:38:04 | ... Just like in the first film, they will find time to perform an impromptu musical number that makes no narrative sense but allows Midler to, you know, do her thing. |
| 242019 | Tom Santilli | Movie Show Plus | Rotten | C- | 2022-09-30T21:28:38.000Z | 2022-09-30 21:28:38 | If you love "Hocus Pocus" I don't suspect there's any reason why you won't enjoy the sequel. |
| 242020 | Joshua Mackey | Geeks of Color | Fresh | 7/10 | 2022-09-30T19:34:20.000Z | 2022-09-30 19:34:20 | Hocus Pocus 2 is more of a feel-good festive watch than Hocus Pocus and is sure to entertain plenty of viewers this spooky season. While it’s far from perfect, so was its predecessor. And we all know how that turned out. |
| 242021 | Jason Escamilla | EskimoTV | Rotten | D | 2022-09-30T18:48:28.000Z | 2022-09-30 18:48:28 | One of the worst films of 2022; the story is incredibly hokey, lacks any substance to capture the audience’s attention, and the musical numbers are either forgetful or completely embarrassing. |
| 242022 | Frank Swietek | One Guy's Opinion | Rotten | C- | 2022-09-30T18:30:47.000Z | 2022-09-30 18:30:47 | Recycled magic proves pretty tepid in “Hocus Pocus 2"...even less engaging than its predecessor. |
| 242023 | Rick Marshall | Digital Trends | Fresh | — | 2022-09-30T17:15:03.000Z | 2022-09-30 17:15:03 | Fans of the 1993 film will find plenty to like about Hocus Pocus 2, which manages to channel much of the same energy, humor, and seasonal playfulness of its predecessor. |
| 242024 | Christopher Lloyd | The Film Yap | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-09-30T17:02:28.000Z | 2022-09-30 17:02:28 | If you liked the first one, you'll be glad they conjured up another fizzy iteration featuring Midler, Parker and Najimy who clearly look like they're having a lot of fun. |
| 242025 | Justin Chang | Los Angeles Times | Fresh | — | 2022-09-30T16:33:35.000Z | 2022-09-30 16:33:35 | The Sandersons’ shtick... is no more clever or inspired than it was in the first movie, but Midler, Najimy and Parker remain such game performers, so adept at vampy antics and menacing facial contortions, that thou wilt not really care. |
| 242026 | Luke Gorham | In Review Online | Rotten | — | 2022-09-30T16:30:33.000Z | 2022-09-30 16:30:33 | The oddball magic that the original managed to conjure has been displaced in Hocus Pocus 2 by too much shtick and schmaltz, and regardless of your predisposition to the material, the spell it seeks to cast is unlikely to linger for long in anyone’s mind. |
| 242027 | Kristen Maldonado | Pop Culture Planet | Fresh | — | 2022-09-30T16:23:52.000Z | 2022-09-30 16:23:52 | Meta, nostalgic, and focused on sisterhood [...] Hocus Pocus 2 manages to capture the spirit of the original film, although some of the emotional moments don’t always land. |
| 242028 | Lori C. | Ready Steady Cut | Fresh | 4.5/5 | 2022-09-30T15:56:21.000Z | 2022-09-30 15:56:21 | Hocus Pocus 2 blends in the themes that gave the original cult status with a new heartfelt story while introducing the magic to a new generation. |
| 242029 | David Crow | Den of Geek | Rotten | 2.5/5 | 2022-09-30T15:47:52.000Z | 2022-09-30 15:47:52 | If you want to share in a spooky treat with your family, don't let me stop you. On Halloween, poisoned apples are sometimes considered treats. |
| 242030 | Joey Moser | Awards Daily | Fresh | — | 2022-09-30T15:07:11.000Z | 2022-09-30 15:07:11 | Hocus Pocus 2 was worth the wait. |
| 242031 | Anne Brodie | What She Said | Fresh | 3/4 | 2022-09-30T14:57:50.000Z | 2022-09-30 14:57:50 | The final chapter's a tad dark but what do you expect when you venture into the woods with a headless zombie and the Sandersons? Watch for Hannah Waddingham. |
| 242032 | Tara Brady | Irish Times | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-09-30T14:55:03.000Z | 2022-09-30 14:55:03 | The insistent life lessons about sisterly bonding will drive the most saintly among us to satanic practices. When shall we three meet again? With all due respect to Midler and company, how about never? |
| 242033 | Peter Travers | ABC News | Fresh | — | 2022-09-30T14:07:02.000Z | 2022-09-30 14:07:02 | Anything for Halloween? You bet. Lock up the children—the Sanderson Sisters are back in a bewitching sequel that returns Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy to the roles they created in 1993 just in time to put a funny-scary spell on you. |
| 242034 | Jim Judy | Screen It! | Rotten | 4/10 | 2022-09-30T13:52:34.000Z | 2022-09-30 13:52:34 | My apologies to anyone who loved -- or came to love -- the original and likely will react the same way, but this is just as mediocre, flat, uninspired, and thus forgettable as its predecessor. |
| 242035 | Kevin A. Ranson | MovieCrypt.com | Fresh | 3/4 | 2022-09-30T13:29:23.000Z | 2022-09-30 13:29:23 | It’s satisfying to discover a sequel not only different than imagined but better than expected... the delightfully spooky story the original always wanted to be. |
| 242036 | Andrea Thompson | Wealth of Geeks | Rotten | 1/10 | 2022-09-30T09:45:24.000Z | 2022-09-30 09:45:24 | In an age of the sequel, the reboot, the prequels, and the sequels and spin-offs to the sequels, reboots, and prequels, Hocus Pocus 2 stands out in terms of sheer awfulness. |
| 242037 | Benjamin Lee | Guardian | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-09-30T09:42:52.000Z | 2022-09-30 09:42:52 | Like many fan favourite follow-ups, Hocus Pocus 2 is stuck, trapped somewhere between different times, audiences and tones, trying to do so much yet, in this instance, achieving so very little. |
| 242038 | Jesus Agudo | eCartelera | Fresh | 7/10 | 2022-09-30T08:06:24.000Z | 2022-09-30 08:06:24 | Although repeating the formula is hard, Hocus Pocus 2 checks enough boxes to charm again, even if it can't reach the first Sanderson Sisters' coming. [Full review in Spanish] |
| 242039 | Allen Almachar | The MacGuffin | Rotten | C+ | 2022-09-30T08:03:53.000Z | 2022-09-30 08:03:53 | In terms of legacy sequels, this could have been a lot worse, but how much is that really saying? |
| 242040 | Jorge Rivera Rubio | QiiBO | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-09-30T06:01:03.000Z | 2022-09-30 06:01:03 | At the end of the day, it's worthy watching the coven of Midler, Najimy, and Parker interacting with each other... it made me laugh more than I expected, and that makes it a winning spell in my book.[Full review in Spanish] |
| 242041 | Robert Kojder | Flickering Myth | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-09-30T04:01:51.000Z | 2022-09-30 04:01:51 | Hocus Pocus 2 won’t put a spell on you |
| 242042 | Grace Randolph | Beyond the Trailer | Fresh | — | 2022-09-30T03:44:55.000Z | 2022-09-30 03:44:55 | Personally, I prefer this to the original film. Just as dark and eccentric, but a bit more professional. Surprisingly funny. Thankfully it's not a bait & switch, the Sanderson Sisters are the focus of most of the film. Great assists from new cast members. |
| 242043 | Mark Dujsik | Mark Reviews Movies | Rotten | 1.5/4 | 2022-09-30T03:41:12.000Z | 2022-09-30 03:41:12 | [E]verything about Hocus Pocus 2 is either an easy rehash, a cheap rip-off, or a lazy appeal to the nostalgia of what we've already seen. |
| 242044 | Chris Rovzar | Bloomberg News | Rotten | — | 2022-09-30T00:44:36.000Z | 2022-09-30 00:44:36 | The movie is not scary, hilarious, suspenseful, or original. It is sometimes charming, but it lacks magic. |
| 242045 | Nicola Austin | We Have a Hulk | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2022-09-29T22:42:59.000Z | 2022-09-29 22:42:59 | You better believe the witches are back in the delightfully fun Hocus Pocus 2, the long overdue sequel which will certainly put a spell on you once again! |
| 242046 | Kimberly Pierce | Geek Girl Authority | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-09-29T22:17:58.000Z | 2022-09-29 22:17:58 | When all is said and done, though, Hocus Pocus 2 is ultimately a cute little family film, probably far more fantasy than horror. However, it’s difficult to say if the sequel will earn the same longevity and love that the original still enjoys. |
| 242047 | Joanna Langfield | The Movie Minute | Rotten | — | 2022-09-29T21:06:31.000Z | 2022-09-29 21:06:31 | This machine-like re-meet, where we eventually get together with the bewitched Sanderson Sisters of Salem, begins with a reminder of how the witches got booted out of their home to begin with. |
| 242048 | Jordy Sirkin | Jordy Reviews It | Fresh | — | 2022-09-29T20:32:55.000Z | 2022-09-29 20:32:55 | You can’t have a reunion of Midler, Parker, and Najimy without it being iconic and magical. The film will surely usher in new fans, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say there’s a spark missing since it doesn’t feel complete. |
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