A Calming Circle
In the sequel's opening scene, viewers get an inside look into the Sanderson Sisters' origin story, which includes an attempted arranged marriage, a loyal spider and an escape to the woods. It's in this wooded area that we see Mary suggest doing a "calming circle," something they did as chaos ensued in the original Hocus Pocus movie.
"Come Little Children" Anthem
The flashback to the sisters' youth also reveals the origins of Sarah's "Come Little Children" anthem. Before Sarah used the song to manipulate the children of Salem, Hannah Waddingham's Witch Mother sang it in the Forbidden Forest.
Winifred’s Spell Book
When Winifred first gets her iconic spell book in the opening of Hocus Pocus 2, she reveals the grimoire has a "cat transformation" incantation. Fans of the original film will recall that this spell would later be used on Thackery Binx to turn him into a black cat.
The Sanderson Sisters’ House
In present-day Salem, the once closed down Sanderson Witch Museum has since been transformed into a local magic shop. Though the shop has been updated somewhat, the original infrastructure remains—as does the Sanderson Sisters' spell book and the melted Black Flame Candle.
Black Flame Candle
A new Black Flame Candle emerged in Hocus Pocus 2, allowing Winifred, Sarah and Mary to return after their demise in the first movie. This time around, the Black Flame Candle was lit by an aspiring witch Becca (Whitney Peak), who uses the candle during a birthday spell in the forbidden forest.
Clothes Callback
In an exclusive interview with E! News, Lilia Buckingham, who plays Cassie in the sequel, revealed that her final costume is a callback to Max (Omri Katz) and Allison (Vinessa Shaw)'s looks in the movie. "Where I'm wearing that cardigan and the tie-dye," she explained. "They're supposed to be callbacks to Max and Allison, when she's wearing that cardigan and he's wearing the tie dye shirt."
Belissa Escobedo, who plays Izzy, shared that her burgundy cardigan also paid tribute to Allison's iconic red jacket in the first film. "Remember, she has that hooded red thing," she noted. "That's like a callback for mine."
Sanderson Sisters Musical Numbers
Though their musical performances in the sequel do not live up to their epic rendition of "I Put a Spell on You" in Hocus Pocus, the new show-stopping numbers prove that the Sanderson Sisters—or really Bette, Sarah and Kathy—still have it.
Salt
During their first face off with the Sanderson Sisters, Becca and her best friend Izzy use salt to deflect the witches' magic. Allison used salt several times in Hocus Pocus as a way to protect herself and her friends from the Winifred, Sarah and Mary.
New and Improved Brooms
In the first Hocus Pocus film, Winifred, Sarah and Mary are forced to use a random broom, mop and vacuum, respectively, after their witches' brooms are stolen by trick-or-treaters. Similarly, in Hocus Pocus 2, the sisters use a broom, Swiffer and robot vacuums when they find themselves without brooms.
Co-star Doug Jones, who plays Winifred's deceased ex lover Billy Butcherson, applauded the sequel's updated broom alternatives for the Sanderson Sisters. "When Kathy Najimy came out with those Roombas, I was like, 'That is the most brilliant gag," he told E! News. "That became quite a story plot point, too. They helped in the end."
Booooook!
Like she did in 1993's Hocus Pocus, Winifred calls out for her beloved spell book by yelling, "Boooook!"
Fan Favorite Lines
Hocus Pocus 2 has plenty of new things to enjoy, but the film makes sure to call back to some of the fans' favorite lines. Specifically, Sarah chants "Amok! Amok! Amok!" while flying on a broom. Winifred says, "I haven't lost my touch," when using magic to lock Becca and Izzy in a dungeon. Finally, Mary says "Buh-byee" in the hilarious way that she does throughout the new film.
Gilbert’s Origins
Gilbert, played by Sam Richardson, reveals that he was a trick-or-treater out on Halloween night in 1993. As he details to the witches, he became obsessed with the Sanderson Sisters after seeing them take flight. He also mentions that bullies stole his candy earlier in the evening, likely referring to Hocus Pocus bullies Ice and Jay.
Billy’s Back
Despite climbing into his grave at the end of Hocus Pocus, zombie Billy Butcherson returns for the sequel—but in the same level of decomposition. And, as Whitney told E! News, Billy's headstone can be spotted on the back of the magic shop's trolley.
Master Devil and Medusa Lady Return—Sort of
Hocus Pocus 2 pays tribute to the late Garry Marshall and Penny Marshall's Hocus Pocus cameos by showing a clip of their scene on a Salem homeowner's TV. The movie also has two Salem residents dressed as Master Devil and Medusa Lady for Halloween.