Is Hocus Pocus 2 safe for kids? Is Hocus Pocus 2 OK for children? Read the Hocus Pocus 2 Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide to Disney’s all-new original Halloween sequel film starring Bette Milder, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters, streaming exclusively on Disney+. No spoilers! #HocusPocus2 May contain commissioned links.
Hocus Pocus 2 Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
They’re BA-ACK, witches!
Disney’s infamous witch trio is back. You’ve seen them on VHS. You’ve seen them at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. And now, the Sanderson sisters are here this Halloween season to wreak havoc, this time directly streaming on Disney+ for our television pleasure. But is the 29 year sequel gap a warm welcome to a new generation of Hocus Pocus fandom? Or is this long awaited sequel going to ruin our Halloween vibe?
In this Hocus Pocus 2 Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch the new Hocus Pocus sequel parents guide to the new film. A no-spoiler parent review of Hocus Pocus 2, how does this 2022 Hocus Pocus sequel compare to the 1993 Hocus Pocus original? And is the 29-year sequel gap actually hurting the witches’ comeback?
The Visuals
If you were worried that Disney was going to completely change up 1993, no worries. Hocus Pocus 2 passes the vibe check. Dark, mysterious lighting, creepy Halloween vibes, and vibrant costuming, and familiar faces, Hocus Pocus 2 visuals stay within the magical realm of Salem.
And can we talk about how amazing the Sanderson sisters look after 29 years? I’m not sure how it was done, but it’s as if almost 3 decades of time were kind to Disney’s favorite witch sisters. Crazy awesome makeup, CGI faces, or spellbound magic? You decide. But visually the Hocus Pocus 2 sequel hasn’t aged at all.
Photosensitivity warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, while there was no photo sensitivity warning on my screening link, I wouldn’t be surprised to see one on the actual movie release. There are lightning and similar strobing CGI effects that be triggering to some.
The Story
Bette Midler (“The First Wives Club“) as Winifred, Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex in the City“) as Sarah, and Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act“) as Mary make a glorious return to evil, reprising their roles as the infamous Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus 2. This Hocus Pocus 2022 sequel is directed by Anne Fletcher (“The Proposal“), along with new co-stars Sam Richardson (“Ted Lasso“) as Gilbert, Whitney Peak (“Gossip Girl“) as Becca, Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories“) as Izzy, Lillia Buckingham (“Dirt“) as Cassie, and Tony Hale (“Toy Story 4“) as Jefry Traske. And yes, there are a few familiar cameos and Hocus Pocus Easter Eggs too.
It’s been 29 years since the first Sanderson sisters’ resurrection. And now the trio is looking for revenge. While I was never a Hocus Pocus fan, 29 years seems to have served the sisters well. The Hocus Pocus 2 storyline surprisingly keeps pace with 2022. Filling in some old plot holes, revealing the past, connecting dots, a few musical numbers and a side of witchy humor, the Sanderson sisters have not lost their touch in this fandom-served sequel filled with action, drama, comedy, suspense, creepy vibes, and even love.
Along with a pretty great script for a direct-to-streaming sequel, (Did I just say that?) Hocus Pocus 2 is up there as one of the most surprising movies of 2022 for me. I was really expecting a huge story letdown, but this trio of sisters really gave us the Disney magic we can all appreciate. This Halloween movie reaches out to kids of today with (ironically) strong themes of love, family, friendship and trust that come through pretty clearly, especially geared for that tween/teenager stage of life. Actually, I’m shocked the Hocus Pocus fandom didn’t take this movie to the theaters.
Hocus Pocus 2 PG Rating
Is Hocus Pocus 2 safe for kids? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings, especially PG. And as we all know, not all PG ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how movie ratings have shifted over the years with G-rated movies a thing of the past.
With film ratings unpredictable these days, even PG ratings oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, there’s a wide age range between 0-12 years old for parental guidance to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie is family friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is Hocus Pocus 2 rated PG? In this Hocus Pocus 2 Movie Review | Safe for Kids, the sequel film has a MPAA age rating of PG for “action, macabre/suggestive humor and some language.” Is Hocus Pocus 2 on par with the original 1993 film, or have the Sanderson sisters gotten a little more naughty in their 29 year absence? Let’s breakdown that PG age rating in this Hocus Pocus 2 parents guide.
Adult Themes. Witchcraft, spell casting, and S@tan – oh my! The obvious Hocus Pocus themes continue to carry over into this Hocus Pocus movie sequel, which may be triggering for your family and too scary for young kids. Inferred humor about “virginity” as a punchline and multiple conversations occur without full explanation (may open up some questions from kids). Discussion and visuals of All Hallows Eve monsters such as ghosts, zombies, skeletons, a disturbing eyeball spell book and creepy crawly animals are present. There’s also a teen party. No alcohol seen, but red solo cups visible.
Violence. See witchcraft and spell casting in the adult themes section above. While light on the physical violence in this Hocus Pocus sequel, the macabre and suggestive humor that follows may be too scary for kids to laugh along. Dead zombies, dismemberment of body parts, and gory/gruesome “torture” like activities occur in Hocus Pocus 2. Cut away scenes of inferred hangings by nooses present. No blood is seen. Multiple talks about eating children.
Language. The bad language and swear word usage overall is mild for Hocus Pocus 2. Only 1 swear word is stated “d@mn.” The amount of “Oh g-d” and “oh my g-d” phrases were beyond numerous throughout the film. I counted over 15 uses, easily.
Other potentially offensive phrases said in Hocus Pocus 2 include “freak out,” “shut up,” “shove it,” “resting witch face,” and “what the heck.” Different names for S@tan is also used throughout the film, including “holy Lucifer,” “S@tan,” and “devil.” Insults include “jerk,” “idiot,” and “nitwit.” While the list seems long, Hocus Pocus 2 is actually a pretty clean movie for one stating language in the PG age rating.
Hocus Pocus 2 Age Rating for Kids
With a Hocus Pocus 2 runtime of 1 hour 43 minutes, this PG-rated Halloween themed kids film definitely fits in with the Hocus Pocus vibe of the 1993 version. Whether Hocus Pocus 2 is ok for kids is going to come down to how your family feels about Halloween, witchcraft, dark magic and discussions about the devil.
Based on my full parents guide and mom review above, I do believe there are some scenes and topics that may be too scary for kids. Your child’s age, personality and temperament to nightmares and big imaginations will always play a huge factor in their kid movie watching.
The 2022 Disney Hocus Pocus sequel film has a MPAA age rating of PG for “action, macabre/suggestive humor and some language.”
Yes, there is 1 post credit scene in Hocus Pocus 2 that may be of interest to fans.
Based on my Avatar: The Way of Water parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Avatar 2 for kids younger than the age of 12-13 years old.
It all comes down to this. If your family is BIG into Hocus Pocus, then Hocus Pocus 2 is right in the same genre and overall same category as the original film and they will love the sequel. Without much deviation from the original themes, scariness or language, this Disney Hocus Pocus film sequel is MORE kid friendly than other horror, suspense thriller and Halloween movies out there today. Period.
Considering the full PG rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Hocus Pocus 2 to kids younger than the age of 7-8 years old. I still recommend parents to prescreen the new Hocus Pocus 2 for multiple questionable adult themes, creepy scenes that may be too scary for kids, and rude humor.
The Overall
Yes, I admit that I’ve never been a Hocus Pocus fan. I’m not into witchcraft, creepy movies or talks about the devil. I’ll take Nightmare Before Christmas over the Sanderson sisters any day. I wanted to hate this sequel. But Hocus Pocus 2 is proof that the magic can still take you by surprise. There’s a reason why the infamous Hocus Pocus 1993 movie is still a classic Halloween must-see and why the Sanderson sisters as wacky, strange and creepy as they are, are more beloved by fans old and young today. Stay for the mid credit scene and the end credit scene.
Spellbinding. Wicked things come to those who wait. Now Halloween lovers will have yet another movie to add to their October movie nights. And honestly, I’m not mad about it. Ok, then. Resting witch face, OUT.
Follow Hocus Pocus 2 on social media:
- Website: https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/movie/hocus-pocus-2
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyHocusPocus
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HocusPocusMovie
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hocuspocusdisney/
- #HocusPocus2
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The Hocus Pocus 2 premiere, a Disney original movie sequel of the Sanderson sisters, streams exclusively on Disney+ starting on Friday September 30, 2022. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen Hocus Pocus 2 in exchange for this Hocus Pocus 2 Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
John says
Loved your review!!! Cant wait to watch it!!!!