Hocus Pocus 2 arrives just in time for spooky season! The Sanderson sisters are back and ready to wreak havoc on Salem. Although this spellbinding sequel is everything fans have hoped for and more, is Hocus Pocus 2 kid-friendly? I’m breaking down all of the thematic elements, including its PG rating, in my Hocus Pocus 2 Parents Guide and Movie Review. Here’s what parents need to know to help YOU decide if it’s appropriate for kids. As always, no spoilers!
Hocus Pocus 2 Parents Guide + Movie Review
Hocus Pocus fans of all ages have anxiously been waiting for the release of the the Disney+ sequel. And even though it had some pretty big shoes to live up to, Hocus Pocus 2 exceeded my expectations. This is one you’ll definitely want to add to your Halloween movie collection.
This only disappointment of Hocus Pocus 2 is that it’s not premiering in theaters. It would be an absolute blast to see this film on the big screen!
Hocus Pocus 2 gives us the origin story we’ve been long waiting for. Everyone loves a villain story, and this is a good one! Learning how the witches came to be as they are is the backstory we needed. Giving these characters depth enables us to, oddly enough, feel for them. I wasn’t expecting heartfelt moments in this bewitching tale, but they were a very welcome addition.
The Cast
Seeing Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy reprise their iconic roles as Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson 29 years later was epic. These ladies jumped right back into character, and you’ll be cheering for the wickedness they bring. Seeing the witches in modern day Salem is hilarious. All three deserve a round of applause for a job well done.
Bringing a fan favorite, Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones), back for the sequel was a great move. Billy’s character plays a pivotal role in Hocus Pocus 2, and it was a delight to see him back in action.
Newcomers Whitney Peak (Bella), Belissa Escobedo (Izzy), and Lilia Buckingham (Cassie), who play opposite starring roles as the witches, are the perfect fit. I especially appreciated the diversity between the characters.
My personal favorite of the cast are the young Sanderson sisters, Taylor Henderson (Winifred), Nina Kitchen (Mary), and Juju Journey Brener (Sarah). These girls were perfectly cast and matched up exquisitely to their older selves. I couldn’t believe how spot-on their mannerisms were for each character. You can tell they truly put everything into these roles, and I hope to see more of these girls in the future.
Tony Hale as the Mayor and Sam Richardson as Gilbert provided much comedic relief. I really enjoyed both of their characters.
The Visuals
Hocus Pocus 2 was filmed in my home state, Rhode Island. Having visited the set last year, seeing everything come together onscreen was an incredible experience. Pointing out particular landmarks and pieces of the set that we saw, gave me such an appreciation for the film.
The visuals are beyond stunning. I loved the opening sequence flying above the village. The cinematography truly paints the perfect picture. From the spooky cemetery and forest, to the energetic and bustling carnival, Hocus Pocus 2 is brilliantly picturesque and a visual feast.
Is Hocus Pocus 2 Kid-Friendly? Here’s Your Parents Guide:
The original Hocus Pocus movie sure had some dark elements. The entire premise of the film is that these witches literally suck the life out of children to stay alive. Obviously that has a strong potential to be frightening for little ones. How does the sequel compare? Is Hocus Pocus 2 too scary for kids? Here’s what parents need to know.
Hocus Pocus 2 has an MPAA rating of PG for action, macabre, suggestive humor, and some language. It has a runtime of 1 hour 43 minutes. Let’s break down the thematic elements and take a closer look.
Violence
We’re starting with the big guns. Going into the movie, viewers should be aware of the type of violence in Hocus Pocus 2. The witches are trying to kill children. That theme can be disturbing for anyone, let alone little ones. For the most part, the witches are hilarious, however, there are scenes where they can appear much scarier.
Language
There is no profanity in Hocus Pocus 2. However, you can expect to hear words like: Hell, virgin, nitwit, damn, stupid, idiot, and shut-up.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the Sanderson sisters worship Satan. In fact, they call him their father. The word is used on multiple occasions.
Mature Content
Just like the original film, it is said that “only a virgin can light the Black Flame candle.” Parents should be prepared to answer the question, “what is a virgin?” as it’s used more than once.
Other suggestive content includes the mention of being someone’s lover and having a fling.
Witchery and magic are used as well as casting spells.
Age Recommendation
If your kids have seen the first Hocus Pocus movie, then they should be okay to watch the sequel. Hocus Pocus 2 is definitely toned down more than the original. It’s not as dark even though the theme remains the same. I would suggest Hocus Pocus 2 for ages 8 and up. With that being said, I always encourage parents to screen the movie beforehand if any of the above elements might be questionable for your children.
Overall Thoughts
Hocus Pocus 2 is everything fans have hoped for and more. It’s incredible that a movie I loved as a child has been enjoyed by multiple generations. Being able to experience the sequel with my own children, and appreciate our love for Hocus Pocus together as a family, is surreal. I am elated that the cast decided to make its return. Hocus Pocus 2 is truly a love letter to the fans, providing multiple callbacks to the original. I found myself watching this movie with the biggest smile on my face and cheering the whole way through.
The additional cast was the perfect fit to tie in a modern day story. Watching the younger girls interact with the Sanderson sisters was hilarious. I loved how strong and brave their characters were, despite witches hunting them.
Tony Hale’s character as the mayor was awkwardly hysterical. Each time he’s on the screen, be prepared to laugh so hard you’ll cry.
The younger generation Sanderson sisters were cast to absolute perfection. I still cannot get over their flawless performance impersonating the witches as children.
There are two new songs to enchant the crowd in Hocus Pocus 2, and they are SPELLtacular. The sisters perform two catchy musical numbers. The first performance is their grand entrance…and boy is it grand! Secondly is the highly talked about stage scene at the Salem Scare Fest.
Although Hocus Pocus 2 is a spooky story, I appreciated the heartwarming moments and takeaways tucked within the film. People have the potential to become so consumed with the idea of power. Power means absolutely nothing if you’re all alone. Bravo.
Come little children…the Sanderson sisters are back and ready to run amok. Hocus Pocus 2 gives us the origin story we hoped for, and is a spellbinding adventure filled with laughs and nostalgia. Remember, “a witch is nothing without her coven.” Hocus Pocus 2 premieres exclusively on Disney+ September 30, 2022.
P.S. Don’t miss the post credit scene!!! It’s a real stinger and I’m sure you will scream out loud!
Hocus Pocus 2 Synopsis
Three young women accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world. The highly anticipated Disney+ Original movie “Hocus Pocus 2,” reunites Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. The live-action, long awaited sequel to the perennial Halloween classic, which brings back the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters for more comedic mayhem.
I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS HOCUS POCUS 2 PARENTS GUIDE AND MOVIE REVIEW HELPFUL FOR YOUR FAMILY. WILL YOU BE WATCHING?!
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