Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy celebrate a birthday amid Hocus Pocus 3 updates, sparking fan excitement for the Disney sequel.
Why Are the Sanderson Sisters Back in the Spotlight?
Kathy Najimy and Bette Midler—aka Hocus Pocus’s Mary and Winifred Sanderson—reunited in NYC for Najimy’s 68th birthday bash.
The duo shared a cozy snap on Instagram, rocking matching black sweaters at Michael’s restaurant. “Nothing BETTER than a birthday-eve dinner,” Najimy teased.
Her husband, Dan Finnerty, mysteriously cropped out of the pic, later gushed, “Happy birthday to my sweet, sweet lady.”
How Did Fans React to Their Witchy Reunion?
Cue the nostalgia! The pair, alongside Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson), first hexed screens in 1993’s Hocus Pocus.
After a 30-year hiatus, they resurrected their roles in 2022’s sequel, diving into the sisters’ origins. Fans lost their broomsticks.
“Nobody’s more shocked than us,” Najimy told PEOPLE. “It’s generational magic—they live for these witches!”
Will There Be a Third Hocus Pocus Spell-a-thon?
Brewing cauldron alert! Disney greenlit Hocus Pocus 3 in 2023. Writer Jen D’Angelo is stirring up ideas: “We’ve got endless directions… new characters, more chaos.”
Najimy joked they’d need “walkers and canes” next time.
“Flying might just be a one-foot blip!” Parker’s response? Still under wraps—but fans are howling for a coven comeback.
Why Does the Franchise Still Enchant Audiences?
Simple: campy chaos + killer chemistry. The original film flopped in 1993 but became a cult classic through repeat Halloween TV airings.
The sequel broke Disney+ records, proving the Sandersons’ staying power. “It’s flattering—and bonkers,” Najimy admitted.
Midler’s cackle? Eternal. Parker’s smolder? Unmatched. Add a killer soundtrack (👀 “I Put a Spell on You”), and poof—icon status.
Where Can You Stream the Witchy Fun?
Both Hocus Pocus films brew mischief on Disney+. Perfect for a spooky marathon! Just light a (safe) candle, grab some eyeball soup, and let the Sandersons’ antics begin. PSA: Avoid black flame candles—unless you’re ready to host a 300-year-old witch party.
Quick Facts About the Sanderson Sisters:
1️⃣ Kathy Najimy turned 68 on February 6, 2024.
2️⃣ Hocus Pocus (1993) flopped in theaters but became a Halloween staple.
3️⃣ The 2022 sequel broke Disney+ streaming records.
4️⃣ Hocus Pocus 3 was confirmed by Disney in summer 2023.
5️⃣ Original writer Jen D’Angelo is crafting the threequel’s spellbinding plot.
