Hocus Pocus has been one of the most popular Halloween children’s movies for years. Directed by Kenny Ortega, this cult classic was released in 1993 and featured the story of Winnie, Sarah and Mary Sanderson, three witches brought to life by the mistake of a teenager, and this time they strive for immortality. Although it was not a blockbuster at the time, the film became more and more popular as the years went by. So much so that more than a decade after its release, a sequel to Hocus Pocus came into consideration and in 2017 that idea was given the green light.
September 2022,Hocus pocus 2 premiered on Disney+, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson Sisters. The cast also included Doug Jones, who returned as Billy Butcherson, and included Sam Richardson, Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Tony Hale, Hannah Waddingham and Lilia Buckingham. Although the expectations for this film were quite high, Hocus pocus 2 managed to make it happen, impressing fans with a new story while bringing back the comedic and nostalgic elements of the original. Fortunately, one of the recurring elements in this sequel was: his musical hits: The Witches are back with incredible performances and the same eagerness to take over the stage they had in 1993. Let’s put every musical number in the Hocus Pocus movies.
6/6 I bewitch you – Hocus Pocus
It’s very hard to associate this particular song with anyone other than Winnie Sanderson, but before this iconic witch took over the Halloween party stage, the one who sang this piece was the Skeleton Singer along with his band. While it’s not their most memorable tune, it was a rather funny moment when the singer tried to conquer the witch with a gallant smile. Still, this rendition of “I Put a Spell on You,” performed by Joe Malone, was short-lived: it was promptly interrupted by Max, in an attempt to make the adults understand the gravity of the situation.
5/6 Sarah’s theme – Hocus Pocus
“Sarah’s Theme”, also known as “Come Little Children” or “Garden of Magic” is a song from both films and is performed by Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson. This young witch is the clumsiest of the covens and is constantly scolded by Winnie for the things she says or does. But her playful, childlike appearance also made her perfectly suited for one all-important task: to hypnotize children and lure them to her. The Sanderson Sisters would not have been able to stay young for so many years without her soft voice. Nevertheless, in Hocus pocus 2, we find out that this enchanting song was not Sarah’s creation, but rather part of witch culture. This time it is performed by the Mother Witch, who discovers that they are wandering in the forbidden forest. Therefore, you might conclude that the melody is passed down from generation to generation, as well as the spellbook.
4/6 Witchcraft – Hocus Pocus
“Witchcraft” is a 1957 song composed by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, further popularized by Frank Sinatra. This is the most famous song performed by the Skeleton Singer and his band, and the song that made audiences embrace him as one of their favorite characters, despite his limited screen time and his failure to fulfill the main characters’ mission to protect Salem from the witches. Who wouldn’t want a band like this to brighten up their Halloween party? This romantic song is perfect considering the celebration and especially the comeback of the Sanderson Sisters.
3/6 The Witches Are Back – Hocus Pocus 2
“The Witches Are Back” is a modern version of the song “The Bitch Is Back” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and was chosen as the theme song for the Sanderson Sisters’ long-awaited return in Hocus pocus 2. After Becca and Izzy accidentally light a Black Flame Candle on Halloween night, Winnie, Sarah and Mary are taken back to Salem, where they celebrate as only they know how: singing and dancing. This scene becomes especially funny when you compare the cheerful demeanor of the witches with the concern and bewilderment of the teenage girls, who look at them from a distance, but completely mesmerized by their performance. And although Becca and Izzy initially think the sisters are unaware of their presence, everything turns out to be very different: Sarah turns up before them and terrifies them, informing them that the performance is for the two of them. This is just another demonstration that the Sandersons, chaotic as they are, leave nothing to chance.
2/6 Somehow – Hocus Pocus 2
In Hocus pocus 2, the Sanderson Sisters also returned “One Way or Another,” the 1978 Blondie classic, inspired by singer Deborah Harry’s haunting experience with a stalker. The song isn’t chosen at random, of course: Winnie, Sarah, and Mary track down Salem Mayor Jefry Traske to get back at his ancestors. After a Sanderson Sisters costume contest in which, surprisingly, they don’t win, Winnie throws everyone off the stage and starts singing. But besides delivering a great performance, the witch wants to hypnotize the audience into leading her to Traske.
1/6 I bewitch you – Hocus Pocus
“I Bewitch You,” performed by Bette Midler since Winnie Sanderson is without a doubt the most iconic song of Hocus Pocus, as well as a scene that still lingers in every fan’s memory. On Halloween night 1993, Max Dennison lights the Black Flame Candle and awakens the witches again. But they come back with one mission: to become immortal, and for that they need a lot of children’s souls. At night, the witches appear at a party, take over the stage and perform their own rendition of this Jay Hawkins song. Ironically, besides putting on a great show, Winnie literally casts a spell on all the adults present to make them dance themselves to death in order to steal every kid in town without them knowing.