Didn’t you hear? Halloweentown is cool again! Disney is developing Halloweentown 5, a brand new chapter in the beloved Disney Channel Original Movie franchise, for Disney Channel and Disney+. The news, first reported by Variety and TheWrap, comes 20 years after the last film, Return to Halloweentown, premiered in 2006.
What We Know About Halloweentown 5
- Platform: Disney Channel and Disney+
- Status: Early development
- Writers: Lily Houghton and Ryan Koehn
- Based on: Characters created by Paul Bernbaum, writer of the original Halloweentown
- Cast and release date: Not yet announced
Plot details are being kept under wraps for now.
Meet the Writers
Lily Houghton wrote the horror comedy Forbidden Fruits, which hit theaters earlier this year, and produced Netflix’s upcoming young adult horror series The Body. Ryan Koehn was a staff writer on the Gossip Girl reboot, and his credits also include The Mad Whale, Homeschooled and As Night Comes. With a mix of spooky and teen drama experience between them, they seem like a great fit for the world of Halloweentown.
Which Marnie Will Return?
This is the big question fans are asking. Kimberly J. Brown played Marnie Piper in the first three films, Halloweentown (1998), Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001) and Halloweentown High (2004). Sara Paxton then took over the role for Return to Halloweentown in 2006.
Disney has not said whether either actress will return, or whether the new movie will follow Marnie at all. One thing fans know for sure is that the franchise will have to move forward without its heart, Grandma Aggie. Debbie Reynolds, who played Aggie Cromwell in all four films, passed away in 2016.
Halloweentown’s Lasting Magic
If you thought Halloweentown was just a 90s memory, think again. The franchise has racked up more than 160 million hours streamed on Disney+ worldwide, and the original film ranked among the top 10 most watched Halloween movies on the service last October.
A new movie would join Disney’s lineup of Halloween classics alongside Hocus Pocus, Twitches and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Speaking of witchy sequels, catch up on whether Bette Midler is teasing Hocus Pocus 3.
Where to Watch Halloweentown
All four Halloweentown movies are streaming now on Disney+, just in time for a spooky season marathon. Looking for more ways to celebrate? Check out our list of free Halloween fun around the theme parks.
Are you excited for Halloweentown 5? Who do you want to see as Marnie? Let us know in the comments!
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