The Hocus Pocus 2 Post-Credits Scene Explained

Contains spoilers for "Hocus Pocus 2"

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. Witches beaten, friends reunited; what's this? A post-credits tease has been sighted. Yes, just like the 1993 Halloween classic "Hocus Pocus," the recent return and departure of the Sanderson Sisters in "Hocus Pocus 2" ends on a similar note in more ways than one.

With the day saved thanks to Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) making up and helping send the sisters to the great beyond, there's nothing left to do but walk down the road into their own happy ending. Of course, the only issue is that the Witch Mother (Hannah Waddingham) can be seen in her feathered form flying gracefully after them.

Could this be a new and greater threat to the future of Salem's new magic-meddling locals, and would they be enough to take on the force that gifted the Sanderson Sisters their book in the first place? Well, as a brief but nifty little post-credits tease reveals, Becca and co. may actually have a way of finding help if they need it — it's just the kind of assistance we never would've expected.

In a subtle homage to the original movie (minus the caged school bullies), we're taken back to the magic shop now run by Gilbert the Great (Sam Richardson), which his pet cat, Cobweb, is watching over. With no one around, Gilbert's feline friend is left to potter about the place, hopping up on a dusty shelf in the shop and resting up next to some items seemingly left in storage. Understandably, this establishment is crammed with things that have secret magical properties, and that includes a box with a fascinating content description on the side. Scrawled in marker are the words 'B.F. CANDLE #2," confirming that Gilbert still has some remains of the powerful Black Flame Candle, the item used to bring the Sanderson Sisters back from the dead.

But what could the candle be used for now that Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) have been laid to rest? Well, given the appearance of an older and greater threat, there's a chance that a third installment to the "Hocus Pocus" franchise could see these bad witches fighting for good for a change if the magical mix is made just right.

With the hint of the Witch Mother hovering over Salem, there's a chance that the centuries-old foe could stir up some trouble for Becca and her friends in another chapter of "Hocus Pocus." If that's the case, what better way to fight back than with the help of the original Sanderson Sisters themselves? "Hocus Pocus 2" leaves Winifred regretting her actions and realizing that the power she so desperately seeks is nothing without her sisters. Factoring this in, Winifred, Mary, and Sarah could begrudgingly be brought back to the land of the living once more, this time to help Becca against the Witch Mother and find redemption for their past misdeeds.

Before we start dream-casting, let's keep in mind that a threequel hasn't even been confirmed yet. Given how long it took for the Sanderson Sisters to return for "Hocus Pocus 2," this might be just another tease like at the end of the previous film. If not, though, let us hope that the magic sands of time are sped up for a third installment. Fingers and wands crossed.