Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker inHocus Pocus 2(2022).Photo: Matt Kennedy/Courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Hocus Pocus 2is packing in some major nostalgia.
While there are several twists and turns throughout, one thing you can count on is fun nods to the first film, whichhas become a Halloween classicover the years.
In addition to bringing back some notable characters,including Billy Butcherson(Doug Jones), the film features a handful ofclever Easter eggs.
“I didn’t realize its place in people’s lives for many years,“Parker told PEOPLEabout the original film’s legacy at the premiere. “Until it became abundantly clear that people had this relationship with it that wasn’t a passing fancy, it was a standing date every year. Then it was their kids. Then it was the gay community, and it just kept growing.”
Keep reading for how the sequel pays tribute to the original movie. (Warning: spoilers ahead forHocus Pocus 2.)
A clever little witch with salt
Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
In the first film, Winifred refers to Allison as a “clever little witch” when she uses salt to protect herself against the Sanderson sisters' dark magic. In a similar fashion, Becca (Whitney Peak), who is later revealed to be a witch herself in the sequel, uses salt to deflect the Sanderson sisters' magic as well as keep them entrapped. It’s a fun little nod to the original film’s heroine and adds even more fuel to the theory that Allison was actually a witch in the first film.
Black cat
Though director Anne Fletcher confirmed toEntertainment Weeklythatthe black cat is not Thackery Binx(who found peace at the end of the first film), he certainly acts as a guide for Becca and her friends as they try to defeat the Sanderson sisters.
The Black Flame Candle
Belissa Escobedo and Whitney Peak inHocus Pocus 2(2022).Matt Kennedy/Courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Mary’s vacuum
As the Sanderson sisters take flight in the first film, they use a handful of cleaning tools from their old home as their modes of transportation, including a vacuum for Mary. The sequel makes a fun and modern reference to that particular scene as Mary uses two Roombas to fly.
A fun musical number
Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker inHocus Pocus 2.Disney Plus
Don’t worry, the sequel includes another iconic musical number! While nothing will ever top “I Put A Spell On You,” the Sanderson sisters' rendition of “One Way or Another” is an exciting follow-up. The performance even includes a full dance mob as entranced townspeople do the witches' bidding. In fact, the sisters have three performances throughout the movie.
Halloween costumes
In the aforementioned dance mob, there are a few blink-and-you’ll-miss-it costumes that pay tribute to the original. While one dancer dons a Madonna costume similar to the one Max and Dani’s mom wore in the first film, another couple is shown in a devil costume and PJs, similar to the look Garry and Penny Marshall’s characters wore in the original.
Hocus Pocusmovie
Omri Katz (L) and Thora Birch inHocus Pocus(1993).Everett
The Sanderson sisters' walk
At the end of the film, Becca and her friends are shown doing the Sanderson sisters' iconic walk as they head down the street together.
Hocus Pocus 2is currently streaming on Disney+
source: people.com
