Hocus Pocus 2: First trailer released shows the witches are up to no good again

It’s a warm June day and chances are that you’re not feeling even the slightest bit spooky. But that might be about to change, because Disney has just shared the first trailer for Hocus Pocus 2.

With literally months to go until the September 30 release date, it seems like an odd time to drop the one and a half minute clip - but we certainly don’t mind. The return of the joyous, mad Sanderson sisters is enough to make anyone want to go and dust off their Halloween decorations.

The trailer opens with ominous music playing as two school girls discuss their birthday plans.

“So what are you guys doing tonight?” asks a friend. “Birthday ritual, scary movie marathon. Same as every year,” says one of the girls. But it looks like this year is going to be very different - seemingly explained by a shopkeeper: “Legend has it that it’s on her sixteenth birthday that a witch gets their powers,” he says.

Then the scene moves between the two friends chanting in an ill-lit forest and someone walking through a dark wood. It would all be really quite scary if you didn’t know that it was a trailer for the comedy sequel.

Then a candle flame springs to life, the ground cracks open and in seconds the sinister mood evaporates: everything is absolutely hilarious again as the sisters appear - almost camp in their excessive witchiness.

In the trailer, lightning cracks, illuminating their silhouette as the three sisters literally shriek: “Lock up your children! Yes Salem, we’re back!” followed by a high-pitched cackle. It’s the perfect introduction to Winnie, Mary and Sarah, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, who are returning to our screens after 29 years.

The sequel, which is being directed by Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses and The Proposal) is set to follow the story of the schoolgirls as they try and foil the three sisters’ evil revenge plans.

Doug Jones (The Shape of Water), Tony Hale (Transformers: The Last Knight), Sam Richardson (Horrible Bosses 2) and Hannah Waddingham also make up the cast.

In February last year, Bette Midler told Good Morning America that she was “really excited” about the forthcoming film. She said: “Although I must say, I mean, the years have flown by and I am 75 and I do believe I can fly.”

In a January interview with Entertainment Tonight, Sam Richardson spoke about working on the film saying: “I’m an absolute super fan of the original. I grew up watching that movie. To work with the ladies is so... I’m outside of myself when I’m doing these scenes. They are the characters, the Sanderson sisters.”

The first Hocus Pocus film was released in 1993 and told the story of the witches chasing some teenagers who had stolen one of their spellbooks. Over the years the comedy-horror has become a major cult classic.

The film will be streaming on Disney+ on September 30.