17th century put the series at the top of many viewers' lists.

     The original Hocus Pocus follows the life of teenager Max Dennison who is new to the ways of Salem during Halloween. He finds Salem not so interesting, that is until he accidentally sets free three 300-year-old witches on Halloween night by lighting a magic candle. Now it is his job, along with his sister Dani and friend Allison, to find those witch sisters and banish them from Salem for good. 

     Hocus Pocus and the sequel have their differences for sure. I will say that I am a sucker for nostalgia, which makes the first movie better than the sequel. I really loved the storyline of the first movie surrounding Dennison, Dani and Allison and their journey of fending off the Sanderson sisters. The sequel veers off to follow a new main character Becca and her witch powers. This was different from the first movie because Dennison nor any other characters had powers, it only focused on the Sanderson sisters and the magic they brought which made the movie unique. 

     The sequel managed to bring back all three actresses who played the Sanderson witch sisters, and I find that very impressive. I was disappointed to not see any of the original cast members from Hocus Pocus other than the Sanderson sisters, I felt that throughout the sequel I was waiting for them to return but that never occurred. As I mentioned before, the plot went in another direction with Becca’s witchcraft. In order to connect the two movies, they could have brought in the old characters instead of seeking a new plot with her powers. The two movies both exhibit friendship and unity in the plot, and I find this is the most important detail in connecting the two. 

     I feel that the major question to all is which movie is the favorite in the series? According to the internet, 87% of viewers enjoyed the original Hocus Pocus and 74% enjoyed Hocus Pocus 2. I will say that I enjoyed the original movie the most for a number of reasons. Hocus Pocus and its original plot are entertaining and unique. If the sequel was made closer to the original, that could have changed opinions for many. What I find questionable is why the sequel came out almost 30 years later. Was that a plan for Disney to release it this late when making the first one? I think that is also why many viewers were so excited about the release of Hocus Pocus 2, to see how different and surprising it is that the sequel is just now released in a significantly later time period.