Halloweentown celebrates 28 years as fans push for a reunion of the Disney Channel franchise
Halloweentown celebrates 28 years as fans push for a reunion of the Disney Channel franchise
Kathleen O'BoyleSat, October 17, 2026 at 4:49 PM UTC
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Halloweentown aired 28 years ago today -Credit:Disney Channel (Disney Channel)The beloved Disney Channel Halloween movie first premiered in 1998, and its original stars have confirmed they would be happy to return for a fifth installment of the popular franchise
It’s officially been 28 years since Halloweentown first arrived on Disney Channel, and fans are still hoping to see the beloved Halloween franchise return to screens.
The original Disney Channel Original Movie premiered on October 17, 1998, introducing audiences to a magical town filled with witches, vampires, mummies and other supernatural creatures. Since then, the film has become a seasonal favorite, with viewers returning to it every Halloween season.
Now, with fans continuing to call for another installment, several of the franchise’s original stars have made it clear they would be willing to reprise their roles. During a panel at 90s Con in 2025, Kimberly J. Brown, Daniel Kountz and Judith Hoag discussed the possibility of returning to the world of Halloweentown.
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How Halloweentown became a Halloween favorite
The first film follows Marnie Piper, played by Brown, who discovers on her 13th birthday that she comes from a family of witches. After following her grandmother, Aggie Cromwell, to the mysterious town of Halloweentown, Marnie learns more about her magical heritage and becomes involved in protecting its residents.
Debbie Reynolds starred in Halloweentown -Credit:Disney
Hollywood star Debbie Reynolds played Aggie, Marnie’s grandmother, while Judith Hoag portrayed her mother, Gwen Piper. Joey Zimmerman played her brother Dylan, and Emily Roeske starred as her younger sister, Sophie.
The film’s mix of family relationships, magic and Halloween creatures helped it become one of Disney Channel’s best-known seasonal movies. Reynolds, who had already enjoyed a decades-long Hollywood career, became closely associated with the franchise through her role as the family’s experienced witch.
The original movie was followed by three sequels, including Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge in 2001, Halloweentown High in 2004 and Return to Halloweentown in 2006.
The second film introduced Kountz as Kal, a warlock who becomes an adversary to Marnie and her family. In the third installment, Marnie attempts to bring humans and magical creatures together by arranging for Halloweentown students to attend a mortal high school.
The fourth film took Marnie to Witch University, but it also became a talking point among longtime fans because Brown did not return to the role. Sara Paxton took over as Marnie for the final installment, a casting change that has continued to be discussed by viewers.
Despite the franchise’s last film arriving in 2006, the movies have remained popular with fans who revisit them as part of their annual Halloween viewing traditions.
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Halloweentown 2 recently celebrated its anniversary as well -Credit:Disney ChannelOriginal cast wants to return for a fifth film
The possibility of another movie has been discussed for years, and the franchise’s stars have continued to express interest in revisiting their characters.
During a panel at 90s Con in 2025, Brown, Kountz and Hoag addressed the possibility of a fifth installment after an audience member asked whether they would reprise their roles.
Brown, who played Marnie in the first three movies, revealed, “We would love to do another one.”
She went on to unveil that Disney had previously approached her about the possibility of making another film, although no project has officially been confirmed. “Disney asked me a few years ago if I would be down to do another one, which we said ‘yes,’ and so, basically, the ball is in their court.”
Hoag, who played Gwen, and Kountz, who portrayed Kal in the second film, also expressed support for another installment. The actors encouraged fans to contact Disney+ on social media to show the company that there is still interest in continuing the story.
For viewers who have spent years hoping to see what happened to Marnie and the rest of the Piper family, the cast’s comments have offered a reason to keep asking for a return.
Halloweentown turns 28 today -Credit:DisneyKimberly J. Brown and Daniel Kountz’s real-life romance
A potential fifth movie would also give fans another chance to see Brown and Kountz together on screen.
The actors first met while filming Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, in which their characters were on opposing sides. More than two decades later, their relationship took a different direction away from the cameras, and the pair married in 2024.
Their real-life romance has become another popular part of the franchise’s legacy, particularly among viewers who remember their characters’ complicated relationship in the second film.
The cast has also reunited for events celebrating the movies, giving fans opportunities to hear behind-the-scenes stories and revisit their memories of the original films.
Will Disney bring Halloweentown back?
For now, a fifth Halloweentown movie remains unconfirmed. While Brown revealed that Disney had previously asked about her interest in returning, she made clear that the next step rests with the studio.
The franchise has also lost one of its most recognizable stars. Reynolds died in December 2016 at the age of 84, leaving behind a long Hollywood career that included her memorable turn as Aggie Cromwell.
Her performance remains central to the original movie’s appeal, and any future installment would have to continue the story without the actress who helped bring its magical world to life.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
