The black flame candle flickers once again, and with it comes a spell of nostalgia, laughter, and chaos that only the Sanderson sisters could conjure. Hocus Pocus 3: Rise of the Coven (2025) marks the triumphant return of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy to the broomsticks, and somehow, after all these years, their witchy chemistry feels as effortless and electric as ever. This isn’t just a sequel — it’s a resurrection of the playful Halloween spirit that defined a generation.
The film opens decades after the events of Hocus Pocus 2, with Salem now a thriving tourist haven built on its spooky past. Beneath the town’s pumpkin-lit charm, however, old magic stirs. When a group of modern teens stumbles upon a forgotten ritual deep in the woods, they unwittingly summon the Sanderson sisters back into the world — and this time, the witches don’t just want mischief. They want legacy.
From the moment Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler) lets out her signature cackle, the film bursts to life. Midler commands every frame, balancing flamboyant menace with comedic mastery. She’s older, yes, but her magic has only sharpened. Sarah Jessica Parker once again delights as the dizzy but beguiling Sarah, fluttering through her lines with gleeful absurdity, while Kathy Najimy’s Mary remains the perfect foil — loyal, sarcastic, and endlessly quotable. Together, they summon the kind of manic energy that feels both timeless and perfectly in tune with today’s sensibilities.
What makes Rise of the Coven stand out is how it honors its roots while expanding its world. Director Anne Fletcher, returning after Hocus Pocus 2, leans into the theme of generational magic. The new teenage protagonists — a diverse, spirited trio led by a girl with her own latent powers — provide fresh perspective without overshadowing the returning icons. Their interactions with the witches lead to both chaos and connection, showing that even the most wicked of sisters have something to teach about identity and belonging.
Visually, the film is a feast. Salem is drenched in autumn hues — flickering lanterns, fog-draped streets, and candy-colored storefronts. The magic effects are bigger and bolder this time, but they never lose their handmade charm. Potions bubble, brooms soar, and enchanted chaos erupts with that signature Disney whimsy. The production design blends camp and craftsmanship in equal measure, creating a world that feels both magical and mischievous.
Comedy, as ever, is the beating heart of the film. The sisters’ bumbling attempts to adapt to modern life provide endless amusement — from mistaking Alexa for a rival witch to joining a viral TikTok dance challenge in pursuit of new followers for their “coven.” Yet beneath the slapstick lies a surprising emotional current. Winifred’s longing for immortality now carries a tinge of melancholy, and the film uses humor to explore aging, purpose, and the bittersweet weight of legacy.
The human cast also gets its due. The young leads — including a breakout performance by newcomer Lila Rivera as a budding witch — anchor the story with heart and humor. Their friendship becomes the film’s emotional throughline, mirroring the bond of the Sanderson sisters while offering a hopeful counterpoint to their darker desires. It’s a clever thematic echo: the idea that magic, like love, is most powerful when shared selflessly.
Musically, Hocus Pocus 3 hits all the right notes — quite literally. Midler once again belts out a showstopping number (“Raise the Coven,” destined to be this Halloween’s anthem), while Parker and Najimy lend harmonies that turn the spell into pure spectacle. The film’s soundtrack mixes old-school enchantment with modern flair, keeping the party alive from first frame to last.
If the film falters, it’s only in its pacing. The second act occasionally sags under exposition, and a subplot involving a rival coven could have been explored more deeply. Yet these hiccups are minor compared to the film’s infectious sense of fun. Every frame radiates affection for the franchise, for the fans who grew up with it, and for the Halloween spirit itself.
The climax delivers both spectacle and sentiment. The sisters’ final confrontation with the new generation is equal parts thrilling and bittersweet, resolving the trilogy with a touch of grace rarely found in sequels. It’s a reminder that the Sandersons, for all their wickedness, have always been about sisterhood — flawed, fiery, and fiercely loyal.
By the time the credits roll, Hocus Pocus 3: Rise of the Coven (2025) has cast its spell. It’s everything fans hoped for: funny, spooky, heartfelt, and brimming with charm. It celebrates not only the enduring power of these three legendary witches but also the timeless magic of laughter, love, and a little Halloween mischief.
In the end, the coven doesn’t just rise — it soars. ✨🧹🎃
