Something wicked may be brewing once again.Just as spooky season gets underway, Bette Midler has dropped something Hocus Pocus fans weren’t expecting — and speculation quickly exploded.The Disney icon behind Winifred Sanderson knows how passionate fans remain about the Sanderson sisters. This time, she gave them just enough to start asking some big questions.Midler isn’t giving everything away, but her latest move has caught people’s attention. And with October here, Hocus Pocus fans have another reason to watch what happens next.Midler Calls Her Sisters BackOn October 1, Midler shared an image from Hocus Pocus 2 featuring the silhouettes of the three Sanderson sisters.Then came the caption.“Sisssstaaaahs…prepare thyselves. ‘Tis time.”Midler tagged Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who played Sarah and Mary alongside her Winifred in Hocus Pocus (1993) and Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).Naturally, fans wondered whether Midler knew something they didn’t.There is an important distinction. Midler did not announce a production update, confirm filming, reveal a release date, or explicitly mention Hocus Pocus 3. October 1 also marked the beginning of spooky season, giving her another reason for the post.Still, Hocus Pocus 3 is already in development. In May 2026, Midler, Parker, and Najimy were confirmed to return as the Sanderson sisters, although the movie was still in early development.So, Midler hasn’t confirmed that her post teases the third movie. But with all three sisters already returning, the timing certainly gives fans something to think about.Credit: DisneySuspicious TimingOn the surface, October 1 makes Midler’s post easy to explain.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. The Sanderson sisters have become especially difficult to escape once October arrives.A spooky-season post from Winifred Sanderson herself hardly needs another explanation.Yet Disney has spent years returning to familiar franchises through sequels, reboots, remakes, and continuations. And with Hocus Pocus 3 already moving forward, that makes it difficult to completely dismiss the possibility that Midler could be stirring the cauldron before another update arrives.After all, fans already know the Sanderson sisters are coming back. The biggest questions now involve when that will happen and what Disney has planned for their return.At minimum, Midler reminded everyone how much interest still surrounds these witches.Credit: DisneyWhat Could Happen in Hocus Pocus 3?A third movie also gives Disney an opportunity that Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) didn’t take.Midler, Parker, and Najimy returned as the Sanderson sisters, but Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, and Thora Birch didn’t reprise their original roles as Max, Allison, and Dani.Bringing them back could create an easy connection between generations.Katz has expressed interest in returning if Disney asks, while writer Jen D’Angelo has discussed where she imagines Max and Allison might be today. Appearances by the original characters were considered during development of the second movie, but ultimately didn’t happen.That leaves Disney with plenty of possibilities.A third installment could reveal that Max and Allison are married and have children. Dani could have a family of her own. Their children could grow up as cousins who know the Sanderson sisters only through stories about Halloween night in 1993.Until, of course, they discover those stories were real.Credit: DisneySalem Already Left the Door OpenThe original Hocus Pocus (1993) followed Max after he accidentally resurrected Winifred, Mary, and Sarah by lighting the Black Flame Candle. Max, Allison, Dani, and Thackery Binx ultimately stopped the witches before they could steal the life force of Salem’s children.Nearly three decades later, Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) introduced Becca, Izzy, and Cassie. Gilbert tricked the teenagers into lighting another Black Flame Candle, bringing the Sanderson sisters back. Becca eventually discovers she’s a witch herself.The sequel ends with Winifred gaining tremendous power but unknowingly sacrificing Mary and Sarah. Becca, Izzy, and Cassie perform a spell that allows Winifred to reunite with her sisters. The new trio then walks away with Book, ready to explore their magic.More importantly, the post-credits scene reveals another Black Flame Candle.Disney practically left the match sitting beside it.Credit: DisneyAnother Generation Could Light the CandleThat setup creates countless possibilities for Hocus Pocus 3.Imagine Max and Allison’s children joining Dani’s kids for Halloween in Salem, only to stumble across the Sanderson legend their parents experienced firsthand. Their curiosity could bring them into Becca’s magical world — and perhaps lead someone to that remaining candle.There could even be room for Binx.His story appeared finished in the original movie, but this franchise revolves around spells, resurrection, curses, and witches returning centuries after their deaths. An accidental spell reversing part of Binx’s fate could offer another connection to the original.For now, those ideas remain possibilities.What isn’t speculation is that Disney has been developing Hocus Pocus 3, and Midler chose the beginning of October to summon Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy with a message telling her “sisssstaaaahs” that it’s time.Maybe she was simply celebrating Halloween.Or maybe the Sanderson sisters aren’t finished running amok just yet.The post Disney Icon Bette Midler Sparks Frenzy With Chilling New ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Tease appeared first on Inside the Magic.