Disney+ has finally given confirmation that the long-awaited sequel to the iconic Halloween film Hocus Pocus is coming next year.
The original and beloved 1993 film – which stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters – has become staple watching for households across the globe once the spooky season rolls around, and now, the streaming service has confirmed that Hocus Pocus 2 will land on the platform some time next autumn.
If you haven’t seen the original film, Hocus Pocus followed the Winnie, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson’s attempts to gain eternal youth.
They would kill anyone in their way and suck the life out of their victims before they’re caught.
When the evil witchy trio are accidentally resurrected by a teenage boy, Max, on Halloween night, it’s left to Max, his crush Allison, and his little sister Dani to stop the Sanderson sisters in their tracks before they exact their revenge on the entire town of Salem.
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And although it’s been 28 years since the film was first released, it’s remained as popular as ever. So popular, in fact, that rumours of a sequel have been circulating for well over a decade, but now it’s finally been confirmed by Disney+ that fans of the film revisit the iconic characters once again.
Hocus Pocus 2 will land on streaming platform Disney+ some time next autumn / Credit: Disney
Hocus Pocus 2 will be a continuation of the story that started in the original movie.
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As part of the big sequel announcement, fans also got a pretty in-depth cast list reveal, with Ted Lasso‘s Hannah Waddingham, and Veep‘s Tony Hale and Sam Richardson both joining the project.
They’ll join Bette, Sarah, and Kathy who are returning as the Sanderson sisters, as well as Doug Jones, who played Billy Butcherson.
Whitney Peak (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Lilia Buckingham (Zoe Valentine), Belissa Escobedo (The Baker and the Beauty), Juju Brener (Vanquish), Froy Gutierrez (Teen Wolf), Taylor Henderson (Earwig and the Witch) and Nina Kitchen complete the new line-up, although their characters are still being kept under wraps.
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With no official release date for Hocus Pocus 2 confirmed by Disney+ as of yet, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for announcements.
Featured Image – Disney
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Joey Barton officially sentenced over offensive online posts
Danny Jones
Retired footballer Joey Barton has officially been sentenced following a series of offensive posts on social media over the past year or so.
Six counts pertaining to three individuals, in particular, were highlighted when he appeared for his final hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, 8 December: online abuse directed at fellow ex-pros Eni Aluko, Lucy Ward and broadcaster Jeremy Vine.
Charged and now finally found guilty of ‘grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety’, Joey Barton has been given a six-month prison sentence – suspended for 18 months, however, meaning he won’t serve jail time unless he reoffends during this period.
Here he is queuing up outside the Crown Court earlier today:
BREAKING: Former footballer Joey Barton given six-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months over "grossly offensive" social media posts about Jeremy Vine, Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko. pic.twitter.com/dQuAAT1mQu
For context, the social media posts in question refer to the ones made on X (previously known as Twitter) and directed at the aforementioned public figures.
The former Manchester City player and Liverpool youth product, who is originally from Merseyside but is now based around Widnes in Cheshire, was found guilty on Friday despite insisting his innocence throughout.
Barton – now 43 and having become a vocal far-right commentator – compared Aluko and Ward to two of the most infamous convicted serial killers in British history, writing that they were “the Fred and Rose West of football commentary” back in January 2024.
He also labelled radio host and TV presenter, Vine, a “bike nonce” in a post that he later went on to dismiss as nothing more than “crude banter” and an attempt at “dark and stupid humour”, stating that he has no intention of actually suggesting he was a paedophile.
Elsewhere in the court appearance, Barton claimed that he is a victim of “political prosecution”; nevertheless, the judge found that the one-time England international (who also played for Newcastle, QPR, Burnley, Rangers and Marseille) “crossed the line between free speech and a crime.”
You can see the moment Judge Andrew Menary handed down the verdict, which will see him avoid time in custody once more, in full down below.
As per an official update via the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Senior Prosecutor Callum Bryce of CPS Mersey-Cheshire said: “Between early January and mid-March 2024, Barton subjected three public figures to offences of malicious communications.
“Barton said in his evidence before the court that in some of his messages he was trying to make a serious point in a provocative way and that in others he was simply joking.
“The finding of the jury confirmed that his conduct had gone beyond any joke and his messages were grossly offensive with the purpose of causing anxiety and distress to his victims.”
It’s also worth noting that he has been charged, found guilty and sentenced before already this year.
Greater Manchester claims I’m A Celeb title again as Salford YouTuber Angry Ginge crowned 2025 winner
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester has reigned supreme once again, as for the second year running, someone from our region has been crowned I’m A Celebrity champion.
And this year, the King of the Jungle is Salford YouTuber, Angry Ginge.
Millions of viewers from across the UK tuned in last night to see Morgan Burtwistle – who goes by the name Angry Ginge or just Ginge, based off his internet username – be crowned 2025’s winner of popular ITV reality competition, I’m A Celebrity..., and watched as last year’s champion, Bolton boyband member Danny Jones, handed over the crown to his fellow northerner.
After spending three gruelling weeks in the Australian camp, and creating plenty of memorable moments in the process, the 24-year-old social media star beat out TV personality Tom Read Wilson for the title.
Ginge became the winner of the show’s 25th series by also beating fellow contestants like ex-EastEnders star Shona McGarty, and fellow Mancunian, rapper Aitch.
The Salford lad was left speechless after hosts Ant and Dec called his name as the winner, and described it as an ‘amazing’ moment.
“Honestly, [it’s] a dream come true,” he added. “I didn’t think I’d go all this way, never mind win, so thank you to everyone who voted.”
As former McFly star Danny Jones came to hand over the crown to Ginge, he said: “There you go, all the way from Bolton to Manchester.”
For those who were unfamiliar with Ginge before his I’m A Celeb stardom, the 24-year-old had become known for his rants about football, especially about his team Manchester United – but in 2021, he exploded in popularity even further when he uploaded a skit video about struggling to get chips on a night out.
Since then, he has turned into one of the most popular streamers and internet personalities in the UK with 1.4 million followers.
And now, he can add King of the Jungle to those accolades.
Emily Sergeant -
1st November 2021 
