‘hocus Pocus 3’: Thora Birch Is ‘super Open’ to Returning as Dani Dennison

Key Highlights

  • Thora Birch is open to reuniting with the “Hocus Pocus” family for a third installment.
  • The original film’s sequel received significant viewership on Disney+.
  • Birch reflects on the film’s initial poor reception and its rise in popularity over time.

Thora Birch Expresses Interest in Reuniting for “Hocus Pocus 3”

Home Film News, October 25, 2025 – As Disney+ develops the highly anticipated third installment of the beloved Halloween franchise, “Hocus Pocus,” actress Thora Birch has expressed her willingness to return as young Dani Dennison. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Birch stated, “Yeah, I’d like to know what they land on for how Dani wound up. I’m super open to the idea.”

Birch, who played the youngest member of the central Dennison family in the original 1993 film, revealed that she was only 11 years old when Disney released “Hocus Pocus.” She reflected on the initial reception of the movie, noting, “It was so devastating when it first came out. It was such a bomb and we were all bummed because we loved making it,” Birch reminisced.

The Legacy of “Hocus Pocus”

Despite its underwhelming box office performance upon release, the 1993 film has since gained a strong following. In 2022, Disney+ released “Hocus Pocus 2,” which was a massive success for the streaming platform. The sequel accumulated 2.7 billion minutes watched during its opening weekend, further cementing the franchise’s enduring popularity.

Birch’s enthusiasm for potentially rejoining the cast is shared by another original cast member, Bette Midler.

During an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live,” Midler expressed her excitement over reading an early draft of the script and deemed it “brilliant.” She stated, “Well, you know, they sent a script, and a lot of it was brilliant. So I got very excited, and now we’re trying to figure out what it is and where it’s going to be and how much it’s going to cost and all those logistical things.”

The Future of the “Hocus Pocus” Franchise

While both Birch and Midler are showing interest in the third installment, they have yet to receive any official offers or scripts. Birch stated, “They like talking about this stuff, so we’ll see.” This uncertainty has left fans eagerly awaiting news of whether the beloved characters will return for a new adventure.

With the success of both the original and sequel films, there is significant anticipation surrounding “Hocus Pocus 3.” Fans are hopeful that the third installment will continue to build upon the franchise’s legacy, offering a thrilling and delightful Halloween experience once again.