Honestly, it’s a bit of a mood. You’ve got the cider warming on the stove, the fuzzy blankets are out, and you just want to see Bette Midler chew the scenery as Winifred Sanderson. But then you open Netflix. Nothing. You check Hulu. Crickets. It’s frustrating when you just want to hear "I put a spell on you" without jumping through five hoops.
If you’re hunting for where is hocus pocus streaming, the answer is actually pretty simple, but there are some nuances depending on whether you want the 1993 original, the 2022 sequel, or if you're holding your breath for the third one.
The Short Answer: Disney Is Keeping Its Witches
Since Disney owns the rights to the franchise, they aren't exactly sharing. You can find both Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 living permanently on Disney+. They don’t rotate off the platform for other services because, well, why would Disney give away their biggest October draw?
It’s the most straightforward way to watch. If you have a subscription, you’re good to go. If you don’t, you might be looking for a workaround.
Sometimes people get confused because of the "Hulu Bundle." If you pay for the Disney bundle, you can actually watch Hocus Pocus directly inside the Hulu app now thanks to the integrated "Disney+ on Hulu" hub. But strictly speaking, it’s still the Disney+ library feeding that content.
What about Netflix or Max?
Let’s put this to bed: Hocus Pocus is not on Netflix. It has never been on Netflix. It likely will never be on Netflix.
The same goes for Max (formerly HBO Max) and Paramount+. Disney is famously protective of its "vault" titles. Even though the film was a bit of a flop when it first hit theaters in July 1993—yes, they really released a Halloween movie in the middle of summer—it has since become the crown jewel of their seasonal programming.
Watching Hocus Pocus Without a Subscription
Maybe you’re like me and you’re tired of the "monthly fee for everything" lifestyle. I get it. If you don't want to subscribe to Disney+, you have a few other paths.
- Digital Rental: You can rent the original movie for about $3.99 on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. It’s a one-and-done situation.
- Digital Purchase: If you want to own it forever, buying it digitally usually costs around $19.99, though it often goes on sale for $9.99 when it isn't October.
- The Live TV Loophole: Every year, the Disney-owned channel Freeform plays Hocus Pocus roughly 15,000 times during their "31 Nights of Halloween." If you have a cable substitute like Sling TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV, you can usually DVR it when it airs.
One weird thing to note: Hocus Pocus 2 is a Disney+ Original. Unlike the first movie, the sequel didn't get a wide physical release or a standard "rental" window on other platforms for a long time. It was built specifically to keep people locked into the app.
The Hocus Pocus 3 Situation
The cauldron is still bubbling. In late 2025, Bette Midler went on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and dropped a bombshell that she had actually seen a script for Hocus Pocus 3. She called it "brilliant."
Now, we’re currently looking at a potential Halloween 2026 release window. While Disney hasn't started principal photography yet, the buzz is real. This third movie will almost certainly follow the path of the second one—landing directly on Disney+—though there’s been some industry chatter about a limited theatrical run because Disney has been shifting their strategy to get more box office revenue lately.
Is it ever free?
Not legally. You might find "free" versions on sketchy websites, but those usually come with a side of malware and a lot of annoying pop-ups. In 2026, the closest you’ll get to "free" is using a trial for a service like Xfinity Stream if you're already a Comcast customer, as they sometimes include Disney+ access in certain bundles.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for Your Movie Night
If you're planning a marathon, here is how the land lies:
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- Hocus Pocus (1993): Stream on Disney+, Rent/Buy on Amazon or Apple.
- Hocus Pocus 2 (2022): Stream on Disney+ (Exclusive).
- Hocus Pocus 3 (2026): Expected to stream on Disney+.
The first movie is 96 minutes of pure 90s nostalgia. The second one is a bit longer at 105 minutes and focuses more on the backstory of the sisters. If you’re watching the original, keep an eye out for the "black flame candle" logic—it’s famously inconsistent, but that’s part of the charm.
How to Get the Best Quality
If you’re a stickler for how things look, don't just settle for the standard version. Disney+ upgraded the original Hocus Pocus to 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision. If you have a decent TV, it looks significantly better than the old DVD you might have gathering dust in the garage. The colors of the sisters' outfits—Winifred’s green, Mary’s red, and Sarah’s purple—really pop in HDR.
Amazon also offers the 4K version for purchase, which is a great "insurance policy" if you ever decide to cancel your streaming subscriptions but still want your annual Salem fix.
Your Next Steps
Stop scrolling through Netflix—you won't find it there. If you already have Disney+, just search for "Sanderson" and you're set. If you don't, check Amazon Prime Video for a quick $4 rental to get your fix without the commitment of a new subscription.
If you're feeling old school, check your local thrift store for the Blu-ray. It’s one of those movies that is actually worth owning a physical copy of, just in case the streaming wars get even weirder by next year.