October has barely begun, and Bette Midler is already giving Hocus Pocus fans a reason to start watching the Sanderson sisters again.
The actress who played Winifred Sanderson shared a cryptic message just as the Halloween season arrived. On its own, the post could easily be nothing more than some perfectly timed spooky fun.
But there's one detail making it much harder to ignore.
Disney already has Hocus Pocus 3 in development, and Midler isn't the only Sanderson sister expected to return. That makes her choice of words — and the people she called out — particularly interesting.
Midler Sends a Message to Her “Sisssstaaaahs”
Midler kicked off October with a post that immediately felt familiar to anyone who loves the franchise.
On October 1, she shared a Hocus Pocus-themed image showing the silhouettes of the three Sanderson sisters. But it was her caption that really got people talking.
“Sisssstaaaahs…prepare thyselves. ‘Tis time.”
Midler tagged Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who played Sarah and Mary Sanderson alongside her Winifred in Hocus Pocus (1993) and Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).
Of course, Midler never actually mentioned Hocus Pocus 3.
She didn't announce that cameras were rolling, reveal a release date, or share any other production news. With the post arriving on October 1, it could simply be Midler celebrating the beginning of the Halloween season.
Still, there's another reason fans are paying attention.
In May 2026, Midler, Parker, and Najimy were confirmed to return as the Sanderson sisters for Hocus Pocus 3. The movie was still in early development at the time, leaving plenty of unanswered questions about when audiences would see it again.
Midler's latest message doesn't answer those questions, but the timing certainly makes them worth asking.
October Gives Midler Plenty of Cover
There may be a very simple explanation for all of this.
Hocus Pocus (1993) has become a Halloween staple, and Freeform is once again featuring the movie as part of its 31 Nights of Halloween programming.
Seeing Winifred Sanderson call out her sisters at the beginning of October isn't exactly unusual.
At the same time, Disney continues returning to familiar franchises with sequels, remakes, reboots, and continuations. With Hocus Pocus 3 already moving forward, fans know another Sanderson adventure is coming.
The mystery is what Disney has planned for it.
The Original Characters Could Still Return
One possibility involves bringing together different generations of Hocus Pocus characters.
While Midler, Parker, and Najimy returned for Hocus Pocus 2 (2022), Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, and Thora Birch didn't reprise their roles as Max, Allison, and Dani.
That doesn't necessarily mean their stories are finished.
Katz has expressed interest in returning if Disney asks. Writer Jen D'Angelo has also discussed where she imagines Max and Allison might be today. The original characters were considered during the development of the second movie, but those appearances never happened.
A third installment could finally change that.
Max and Allison could now be married with children, while Dani could have a family of her own. That would give Disney an easy way to introduce another generation with direct ties to Halloween night in 1993.
Another Black Flame Candle Is Waiting
Disney also doesn't need to look far for a way to bring the Sanderson sisters back.
In Hocus Pocus (1993), Max accidentally resurrected Winifred, Mary, and Sarah by lighting the Black Flame Candle. He eventually joined Allison, Dani, and Thackery Binx to stop them.
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) repeated that magic with a new generation. Gilbert tricked Becca, Izzy, and Cassie into lighting another candle, resurrecting the sisters once again.
By the end, Becca discovers she's a witch, while Winifred's attempt to gain ultimate power costs her Mary and Sarah. Becca, Izzy, and Cassie eventually help Winifred reunite with her sisters.
Then Disney leaves one final surprise.
The post-credits scene reveals another Black Flame Candle.
That gives Hocus Pocus 3 a ready-made path for another resurrection, whether Disney focuses on Becca and her friends, brings back Max and the original characters, or finds a way to connect both generations.
For now, Disney hasn't revealed what direction the third movie will take.
And Midler certainly hasn't confirmed that her October 1 message was anything more than Halloween fun.
But with Winifred telling her “sisssstaaaahs” to prepare themselves and all three actresses already returning, Hocus Pocus fans suddenly have another mystery to follow this October.
