Return to Halloweentown

TV-PG

2006

1 hr. 36 min.

Kids & Family

Comedy

List

Reviews

61%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

An 18-year-old witch (Sara Paxton) must use magic to stop a devious plot to destroy Halloweentown.

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Alec B

Return to Halloweentown ventures back into the whimsical world of the Cromwell witches with a mix of nostalgia and mid-2000s updates. While the absence of Kimberly J. Brown in the role of Marnie might disappoint longtime fans, Sara Paxton admirably steps into the magical shoes of Marnie Cromwell (who for some reason is now labeled as Marnie Piper). Adding new characters and exploring Marnie's college adventures add fresh elements to the franchise. However, some might find the departure from the original cast disappointing and the final installment provides a more lackluster plot than genuine closure.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

Jennifer P

Not a True hallowentown without Kimberly J. Brown

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/21/23

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Kevin M

Very simple plot, very rushed ending and by the way the main character in this movie she is so dumb

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/23

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Jeremy C

"| Ratings Categories | {Characters (4.5/10) ; Cinematography (4/10) ; Plot (4.5/10) ; Acting (6.5/10) ; Pacing (7/10) = 54%}"

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/06/22

Full Review

megan s

Ive loved it since I was little. It's fun especially for those who love halloween!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is the only film in the Halloweentown series not to feature Kimberly J. Brown as Marnie. Brown herself has claimed that not only was she available, but she wanted to finish out the series. Instead, series creator Sheri Singer would just state that Disney and Brown's camp couldn't come to terms and make a deal work. That said, Joey Zimmerman, Debbie Reynolds, Judith Hoag and Lucas Grabeel did all come back for the film. Sophie, who was played by Emily Roeske in the previous Halloweentown installments, is mentioned but does not appear. It was directed by David Jackson, who also made the Yasmine Bleeth-starring The Lake. Marnie decides that instead of college that she'll attend Witch University in Halloweentown on a full scholarship. But when she starts classes, she learns that all they do is study Shakespeare and the history of magic. She makes a new friend — Aneese the Genie — while reconnecting with Ethan and running afoul of the Sinister Sisters, the daughters of Silas Sinister. The reason why magic is no longer taught? It's all Marnie's fault. Witch University was originally established exclusively for warlocks and witches to learn how to use magic. But Marnie destroyed the portal between the worlds, most of the magical children went to college in the mortal realm. There's also the matter of a locked box in the dungeon of the school that only Marnie can open, with a sinister group called the Dominion working to force her to break open its seal. Once open, it allows the Sinister Sisters to control Halloweentown. As you can imagine, everything works out — this is a Disney Channel movie, not the usual Filmirage gorefests we watch around here and even sets up future tales. Due to the recasting, most fans of this series kind of wish this movie never existed.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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David Jackson

Director

Sara Paxton

Marnie Piper

Lucas Grabeel

Ethan Dalloway

J. Paul Zimmerman

Dylan Piper

Judith Hoag

Gwen Cromwell Piper

Debbie Reynolds

Splendora Agatha Cromwell

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Sierra Filucci

Common Sense Media

A cauldron of witchy magic and malice for tweens.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2011

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

This is really just a star vehicle and nothing more.

Oct 16, 2010

Full Review

Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

There seems to be a significant effort to make a compelling story beyond the disaster that was Halloweentown High.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 9, 2007

Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

...harmless, mindless, juvenile fare that could pass for any average television comedy of the 1950s or 60s.

Rated: 4/10

Aug 23, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

An 18-year-old witch (Sara Paxton) must use magic to stop a devious plot to destroy Halloweentown.

Director: David Jackson
Screenwriter: Max Enscoe
Production Co: Disney Channel, Just Singer Entertainment
Rating: TV-PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2017

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