For a generation that grew up on Disney Channel, Halloween was never just about candy and costumes—it was about sneaking off to a magical town where every day felt like October 31st. The Halloweentown franchise captured that whimsical spirit in 1998, and now, after a two-decade gap, the Cromwell family is getting ready to cast another spell.
According to TheWrap, a fifth Halloweentown movie is officially in early development at Disney Channel and Disney+. The project has tapped Lily Houghton and Ryan Koehn to pen the screenplay, with the story built around the beloved characters originally created by Paul Bernbaum. While plot details remain under wraps, the news has sent a wave of nostalgia through fans who grew up watching Marnie Piper discover her witchy heritage.
Houghton brings a fresh horror-comedy pedigree to the table, having written this year's Forbidden Fruits starring Lili Reinhart and Lola Tung. Koehn, meanwhile, is known for his work on the Gossip Girl reboot. Together, they're tasked with reviving a franchise that hasn't seen a new installment since 2006's Return to Halloweentown.
The original film introduced audiences to Kimberly J. Brown as Marnie and the legendary Debbie Reynolds as her grandmother, Aggie Cromwell. Over three sequels, Marnie went from a curious kid to a college student at Witch University, but the series abruptly stopped after the fourth movie—which notably recast Marnie with Sara Paxton. That casting change remains a sore spot for many fans, and the big question now is whether Brown will be back.
Brown has already made her stance clear. In a recent interview, she said, "I have told Disney I'm down." While that doesn't guarantee her involvement, it's a promising sign for those hoping to see the original Marnie return. Disney hasn't announced any casting yet, but the door is wide open for a reunion that would feel like coming home.
For those who want to relive the magic while waiting for news, all four Halloweentown movies are currently streaming on Disney+. And if you're in the mood for more nostalgic Disney Channel fare, you might also want to check out the upcoming Glee reboot that's also headed to the platform.
With no release date set, the project is still in its infancy, but the excitement is already building. Will the Cromwell family reunite for a new adventure? Will we finally get answers about what happened after Witch University? Only time—and a little magic—will tell.
In the meantime, fans can revisit the original films and dream about what a modern Halloweentown might look like. Whether it's a direct continuation or a fresh take, one thing's for sure: the magic of Halloweentown is far from over.
