Hocus Pocus 2 ending explained – do the Sanderson sisters finally get their revenge?

By Lori Meek
Published: September 30, 2022 (Last updated: August 29, 2023)
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This article discusses the ending of the Disney+ film Hocus Pocus 2 and will contain spoilers.

The highly anticipated movie Hocus Pocus 2 is spectacularly wicked. In the sequel, set 29 years after the original, the three Sanderson sisters return to cast more spells on an unsuspecting Salem. The film was directed by Anne Fletcher and stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker, who reprised their iconic roles. 

This time around, the virgin to light the Black Light Candle is teenager Becca (Whitney Peak), who was given the conjuring item by Gilbert (Sam Richardson), the magic shop owner who’s also a big fan of the Sandersons and wants them to return. As it turns out, Gilbert was there on the night the sisters were first vanquished, and Book showed him how to re-create the candle.

The movie doesn’t explain why exactly did Gilbert spend nearly three decades before bringing his idols back. But now that they’ve returned, it is up to Becca and her friends, Izzy and Cassie, to stop the three witches from getting their revenge on Salem. And on Reverend Trask’s descendants, who happen to be Cassie and her dad, Salem’s mayor and caramel apple aficionado. 

Hocus Pocus 2 ending explained

The film’s ending sees Winnie, Mary, and Sarah complete the Magicae Maxima, a spell no witch should ever use as it would give her ultimate power. Even the sentient Book was against Winnie taking it this far, so it chose to leave her for Becca, who’s been revealed to be a witch herself. However, the spell came with a catch the wicked witch completely missed. By becoming all-powerful she’d have to sacrifice her one true love. And in Winnie’s case, it was her sisters. Magicae Maxima turned Winnie into the most powerful witch, but in return, it took Sarah and Mary away from her. 

In a surprising twist, Winnie realizes that her sisters were more important than the revenge she wanted to take on Salem, so she asks Becca for help. The three teens recite another spell and send a grateful Winnie to wherever her sisters are, probably Hell. As a side effect of the spell, the good zombie, Billy, is freed from Winnifred’s curse and finally allowed to rest in peace. And everyone lives happily ever after. 

Or do they?

A post-credit scene shows the non-talking black cat climbing on top of a shelf in the magic shop. On that shelf, there’s another Black Light candle, leaving the door wide open for a third installment — perhaps there will be a Hocus Pocus 2 sequel. Hopefully, this one won’t take another three decades to make. 

What did you think of the ending of Hocus Pocus 2? Comment below.

Additional Reading

Disney+, Endings Explained, Movies, Movies - Ending Explained, Streaming Service