The much-anticipated release of Hocus Pocus 2 is finally here and the spooky sequel to the 1990s classic is now streaming on Disney+.
Viewers with a subscription to the streaming service can get into the Halloween spirit early by watching the movie today but fans without Disney+ will be left disappointed.
There will be no cinema release of the new film which comes 29 years after the original was released with little critical or box office success in 1993.
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The reboot of the cult classic boasts the original stars - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy - and will serve as a dose of nostalgia for original fans.
While fans are excited, not everyone is impressed with the new flick with the New York Post labelling it "lousy, lame millenial nostalgia bait."
However, the New York Times review says that while it "may be a blatant attempt by Disney to continue propping up its streaming platform Disney+, it manages to capture the same hokey magic of the original while creatively updating its humour."
Eager fans can now even stay at the iconic Sanderson Sisters' cottage from the original movie through Airbnb.
Nestled in the remote woods of Salem, Massachusetts, the Sanderson cottage has been recreated as though it’s been frozen in time for 300 years – just in time for the siblings’ highly anticipated return in Hocus Pocus 2.
"We all know that the Sanderson Sisters' story might not have ended when we turned to dust, nor did our shenanigans,” said Kathy Najimy, who plays Mary Sanderson in the beloved films. “What better way to celebrate the season than to host guests at the trio’s historic haunt for a night they'll remember for years to come?"
The Sanderson Sisters will host the time-worn cottage for an exclusive stay on October 20 for two guests, at only $31 (€31) (plus taxes and fees) a night in celebration of All Hallows’ Eve.
Wooden boards that groan under the weight of curious cats and cupboards filled with blood of owl and herb that’s red (and even a hair from Winifred’s head) await those who dare to explore the cottage’s dark corners.
Prior to slumbering in the sisters’ humble abode, guests can:
- Try their hand at enchantments enshrined in the ancient spellbook that guided the sisters in all their mischief. (Maybe just don’t expect to turn anyone into cats as a result.)
- Explore the dark, rich history of Salem with visits to some of the town’s most haunted properties.
- View a special screening of Hocus Pocus 2
Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Salem, by broomstick or otherwise.
*Those looking for an especially eerie Halloween season can request to book this stay beginning Wednesday, October 12 at at airbnb.com/hocuspocus2.
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