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{{Short description|2006 television film by David Jackson}}
{{Infobox_Film |
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
| name = Return to Halloweentown|
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
| image = poster%2Dsmaller.jpg|center|500px
{{Infobox television
| producer =[[Don Schain]]
| image = Return to Halloweentown.jpg
| writer =[[Max Enscoe]]<BR>[[Annie DeYoung]] |
| caption = Promotional poster
| starring =[[Sara Paxton]]<BR>[[Debbie Reynolds]]<BR>[[Joey Zimmerman]]<BR>[[Judith Hoag]]<BR>[[Lucas Grabeel]]<BR>[[Summer Bishil]]| <BR>[[Kristy Wu]]<BR
| genre =
| director =[[David Jackson]] |
| based_on = {{Based on|Characters|Paul Bernbaum and Jon Cooksey & Ali Matheson}}
| distributor =[[Disney Channel]] |
| writer = {{Plainlist|
| released =[[October 20]], [[2006]]|
* Max Enscoe
| preceded_by = [[Halloweentown High]] |
* Annie DeYoung
 
* Juliet Giglio
* Keith Giglio
}}
| director = [[David Jackson (director)|David Jackson]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Sara Paxton]]
* [[Joey Zimmerman]]
* [[Judith Hoag]]
* [[Lucas Grabeel]]
* [[Keone Young]]
* [[Summer Bishil]]
* [[Debbie Reynolds]]
* [[Kristy Wu]]
* [[Leslie Wing]]
}}
| music = Kenneth Burgomaster
| country = United States
| language = English
| producer = [[Don Schain]] <br /> Sheri Singer
| company = Just Singer Entertainment <br /> Salty Pictures
| editor = Mike Grant
| cinematography = Denis Maloney
| runtime = 87 minutes
| network = [[Disney Channel]]
| released = {{Start date|2006|10|20}}
}}
'''Return to Halloweentown''' is a [[Disney Channel Original Movie]] that premeired on [[October 20]], 2006, it is the third sequel to the [[Disney Channel Original Movie|DCOM]], ''[[Halloweentown]]''. In this sequel, Marnie Piper, ([[Sara Paxton]]),and her brother Dylan Piper ([[Joey Zimmerman]]) go to Witch University to attend college in Halloweentown. While at college, dark forces try to control her magic.
 
'''''Return to Halloweentown''''' (also known as '''''Halloweentown 4''''') is a 2006 American [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] [[comedy film]] released as a [[Disney Channel Original Movie]] that premiered on October 20, 2006, and is the fourth and final film in the ''[[Halloweentown (film series)|Halloweentown]]'' series. The story follows [[List of Halloweentown characters#Marnie Piper|Marnie Piper]] ([[Sara Paxton]]) going to college at Witch University in Halloweentown, where dark forces try to control her magic.
== Taglines ==
Unlock the Ultimate Secret
 
This is the only film in the ''Halloweentown'' series not to feature [[Kimberly J. Brown]] as Marnie, although [[Joey Zimmerman]], [[Debbie Reynolds]], [[Judith Hoag]], and [[Lucas Grabeel]] reprise their roles. Sophie Piper, played by Emily Roeske in the previous films, is mentioned but does not appear. This film also marks the first [[Disney Channel]] Original Movie franchise to produce a fourth installment. The premiere scored 7.5 million viewers.
== Synopsis ==
Marnie Piper ([[Sara Paxton]]), graduates High School and gets a full scholarship from Witch U (Witch University), which gives Marnie and Dylan the chance to attend the university. Against her mothers wishes and in her Grandmother Aggie's ([[Debbie Reynolds]]) favor, she and Dylan attend Witch University. Alone at home, Marnie's mother takes a job as a realtor and she appears quite good at her job. In Halloweentown, Marnie meets many old friends, such as Benny and Luke. Luke is Ethan's dorm roommate. Marnie rooms with a genie and Dylan, much to his dismay, rooms with a troll. At Witch U, Dylan has a new interest as well, one of the Sinister Sisters, who later puts a spell on Dylan to do their homework. There is dark magic in Halloweentown and when the Sinister Sisters believe that Marnie is the Cromwell of the Prophecy (which will stop them from taking over the world), Marnie has to fight back yet again, with the help of Aneesa the Genie, played by [[Summer Bishil]] and with [[Lucas Grabeel]] as Ethan Dalloway who this time wants Marnie's heart.
 
== Cast Plot==
One year after the events of the last film, a now eighteen-year-old Marnie is offered a full [[scholarship]] to Halloweentown's Witch University, headed by its chancellor Luxana Goodwyn, for her good deeds and help in the previous years. Much to her mother Gwen's dismay, Marnie decides to forgo her original college plans and instead attends the [[Halloweentown (film series)|Halloweentown]] school. Gwen forces Marnie's brother Dylan to accompany and keep an eye on her. The school is not what it seems, as [[witches]] and [[Magician (fantasy)|warlocks]] cannot use [[magic (fantasy)|magic]]; instead their curriculum seems to be no different than a mortal college curriculum: [[Shakespeare]] analysis, with old magic [[history]]. Marnie had thought she would learn how to use her magic and is now crestfallen.
* [[Sara Paxton]] ......[[Marnie Piper]]
* [[Judith Hoag]] ...... Gwen Piper
* [[Debbie Reynolds]]......Splendora Agata Cromwel
* [[Joey Zimmerman]]...... [[Dylan Piper]]
* [[Summer Bishil]] ...... Aneesa the Genie
* [[Keone Young]] ...... Silas Sinister
* [[Kristy Wu]] ...... Scarlett Sinister
* [[Christopher Robin Miller]] ...... Young Troll
* [[Kellie Cockrell]] ...... Sage Sinister
* [[Kattie Cockrell]] ...... Saphire Sinister
* [[Dan Young]] ...... Dominion
* [[Eliza Wren]] ...... Geeky Girl
* [[Lucas Grabeel]] ...... Ethan Dalloway
* [[Leslie Pomeroy]] ...... Dr. Goodwin Grogg
* [[Darren Ewing]] ...... Morose Cashier
* [[Robin DeSantis]] ...... Fairy
* [[Miley Cyrus]] ......Cheerleader
 
Marnie runs into her old friend Ethan and makes a new friend named Aneesa the [[Jinn|Genie]]. She also makes three new enemies in the Sinister Sisters: Scarlett, Sapphire and Sage, a triad of malevolent, extremely snobby, spoiled, and manipulative witches who are the daughters of Silas Sinister and with whom Dylan is immediately infatuated. Marnie learns that she is responsible for the university's restriction of magic. The university was originally established exclusively for warlocks and witches to learn how to use magic, but when the portal between Halloweentown and the human world was opened permanently instead of just on [[Halloween]], most of them went to college in the mortal realm. Since then, Witch University has allowed other magical creatures to attend. Magic was banned on campus grounds to level the academic playing field, but the Sinister Sisters still use theirs discreetly. The classes are boring for Marnie until during one class with Dr. Ichabod Grogg, she uncovers within the dungeon of the college, a box, with the name "S. Cromwell" inscribed on it, magically appearing in front of her, but the box is locked and has no key with it.
== Trivia ==
*[[Sara Paxton]] has replaced [[Kimberly J. Brown]] as the role of Marnie due to Brown's filming conflicts with her newest upcoming film, ''[[Big Bad Wolf]]'', but it has been accounted for as a rumor thus far.
*Judging by the trailers, a different skeleton face was used for the skeleton taxi driver Benny, and the jack-o-lantern at the towns center now has a different shape.
*In this movie, [[Joey Zimmerman]] is credited as "J. Paul Zimmerman."
*[[Sara Paxton]], originally [[blonde]], dyed her hair brown for the role. [[Kimberly J. Brown]] (who played Marnie in other movies) had natural brown hair.
*A teaser trailer [http://youtube.com/watch?v=VArbYaJkNGA] aired on August 25, 2006 during ''[[The Cheetah Girls 2]]'' premiere.
*The first full-length trailer [http://youtube.com/watch?v=m669Kspf_lo] premiered during Disney Channel's ''The Cheetah Girls 2'' was airing in Spanish to contribute to Hispanic Heritage Month.
*The first official poster for "Return to Halloweentown" was released in the October 2006 issue of [[Disney Adventures]] magazine.
*This part of the series was thought to be a musical, this was already confirmed as false.
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:MarnieCromwell.jpg|thumb|250px||right|[[Sara Paxton]] as Marnie.]] -->
*In the original script, Marnie and her Grandmother Aggie were supposed to Return to Halloweentown to destroy Kal once more. However, this idea was scrapped and the writers came up with Marnie going to college in Halloweentown at Witch U, or Witch University.
* The villian in this movie has the idea of ruling Halloweentown and making slaves out of all the other creatures. In the original script, this was Kal's plan but after that idea was scrapped, they decided to make that the evil plan.
*So far, the only actors to appear in every installment are [[Debbie Reynolds]], [[Judith Hoag]], and [[Joey Zimmerman]].
*There is scheduled to be an autumn 2007 DVD release of the movie. It will be part of the DCOM Halloweentown Series Collection.
 
Marnie meets with one of her professors, Miss Periwinkle, and asks for an explanation. Periwinkle only tells Marnie that the S. stands for Splendora and that she and her were very good friends. Marnie and Dylan learn that the box contains the Gift, a magical power only a Cromwell can use, which Splendora locked in the box centuries ago. Meanwhile, the Sinister sisters use Dylan's infatuation with them to make him do their homework and use as bait for Marnie. Later, Ethan tells Marnie about a mysterious group, his father was part of, known as the Dominion that will try to use Marnie to open the box and use the Gift to take over Halloweentown and turn everyone into their permanent slaves, and Goodwyn and Grogg are part of them, but Marnie does not believe him. Marnie later travels to the past to meet Splendora and learn about the true nature of the enigmatic gift. Splendora explains that the Gift is an amulet that bestows the wearer with the power to control anyone, a power that witches are forbidden to use, and its power can tempt a good witch to turn bad. Marnie realizes that Ethan was right about the Dominion and Splendora bestows upon her the key to the box containing the Gift. Splendora is revealed to be Marnie's grandmother Aggie. Agatha is her middle name and she hates the Splendora part so she eventually dropped it. Marnie returns to the present with the key to open the box.
== Other ==
 
Dr. Goodwyn steals the Gift for the Dominion and the Sinisters to take over Halloweentown. Knowing that only a Cromwell can use the Gift, the Sinister Sisters transform Dylan into a [[Border Collie]] to compel Marnie to comply with their demands. If Dylan is not turned back by midnight, he will stay that way forever. They agree to return him to his natural form if Marnie controls Halloweentown for them. Marnie falsely agrees to aid them in their plot, initially using the Gift to control the people at Witch University, but she turns on them once she has Aneesa trap the Gift in her lamp. With the Gift trapped in the lamp, Marnie, Dylan, Gwen, and Aneesa destroy the lamp, which destroys the Gift. The Dominion attempt an escape, but are apprehended by Periwinkle who is revealed to have been undercover for ten centuries as a detective of the Halloweentown Anti-Dominion League. She imprisons them in a Witch's Glass where she has stripped them of their magic and arrested them for treason.
*This DCOM was filmed in Ogden, Utah and other locations in Utah.(according to article under references)
 
The malevolent Sinister Sisters lose their powers as well, but Marnie learns that Ethan willingly gave his powers up after his father was found guilty in the previous film. Marnie and Ethan begin a new relationship and leave on a date, as Marnie secretly reveals to Gwen she did not really destroy the gift, but instead give it to someone she trusts absolutely. The film ends when Dylan finds Marnie left Gift for him in a book that he was reading; since spells cast on the grounds of Witch University become permanent at midnight, the Gift belongs to him, as he is the only person Marnie trusts with its power. Saving the power of the Gift for important uses only, he puts the book away, and it shows a glowing red S at the end of the film.
*Cult classic [[Troll 2]] fans will recognize Darren Ewing [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1003898/] in the small role of Morose Cashier. His brief scene appearance will be with [[Judith Hoag]], Marnie's Mother.
 
==Cast==
*Dylan will finally show himself doing magic. However, he has done some magic in the first and the second Halloweentown movies.
{{Anchor|Characters}}
* [[Sara Paxton]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Marnie Piper|Marnie Piper]], an 18-year-old witch. She was portrayed by [[Kimberly J. Brown]] in the previous films.
** Paxton also portrays a younger version of Debbie Reynolds' character
* [[Lucas Grabeel]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Ethan Dalloway|Ethan Dalloway]], the son of Edgar Dalloway who becomes Marnie's latest love interest.
* [[Joey Zimmerman]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Dylan Piper|Dylan Piper]], the brother of Marnie.
* [[Summer Bishil]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Aneesa|Aneesa]], a genie who Marnie befriends.
* [[Judith Hoag]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Gwen Piper (nee Cromwell)|Gwen Piper]], the mother of Marnie.
* [[Kristy Wu]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Sinister Sisters|Scarlett]], a girl at Witch University.
* Katie Cockrell as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Sinister Sisters|Sage]], the sister of Scarlett Sinister.
* Kellie Cockrell as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Sinister Sisters|Sapphire]], the sister of Scarlett and the twin sister of Sage.
* [[Keone Young]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Silas Sinister|Silas Sinister]], the head of Sinster Inc., father of the Sinister Sisters, and leader of the Dominion.
* [[Leslie Wing]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Chancellor Goodwin|Dr. Luxana Goodwyn]], the [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]] of Witch University and member of the Dominion.
* [[Millicent Martin]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Professor Periwinkle|Professor Priscilla Persimmon Periwinkle]], a friendly professor that Marnie befriends.
* [[Debbie Reynolds]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Aggie Cromwell|Splendora Agatha "Aggie" Cromwell]], Marnie's grandmother.
* Scott Stevenson as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Dr. Grogg|Dr. Ichabod Grogg]], a strict professor at Witch University and member of the Dominion.
* [[Christopher Robin Miller]] as [[List of Halloweentown series characters#Burp-Urp-Snurt-Pfsfsfsfst III|Burp-Urp-Snurt-Pfsfsfsfst III]], a goblin who the Sinister Sisters pick on. He was credited as "Young Troll".
* Steve Andruzzi as Snooty Buyer, the snooty home buyer who was critical of the leaves in the front yard.
 
==Production==
*The biggest rumor of all is that there will be a [[Halloweentown]] 5! It is supposed to end up being the "final chapter" of the [[Halloweentown]] series. It is said to be released in 2008 to commemorate [[Halloweentown]]'s 10 year anniversary release. No confirmation that [[Sara Paxton]] will play Marnie in the 5th movie. It is supposedly titled,"Halloweentown: She's The Witch."
In a 2017 interview with [[E!]], producer Sheri Singer said the recasting of Marnie "was not something we wanted to do. We could not come to terms that we felt were fair. We just weren't able to. We couldn't make the deal work. That was why [Kimberly J. Brown was recast] and we didn't want to not do it. I know people didn't like it, but it's not like people haven't been recast before. I always was sorry that's how it went".<ref name="E!">{{cite web |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/889913/the-secret-origin-of-halloweentown-revealed-how-a-little-girl-inspired-a-beloved-franchise |title=The Secret Origin of Halloweentown Revealed: How a Little Girl Inspired a Beloved Franchise |date=October 31, 2017 |publisher=[[E!Online]] |first=TIERNEY |last=BRICKER |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031164414/https://www.eonline.com/news/889913/the-secret-origin-of-halloweentown-revealed-how-a-little-girl-inspired-a-beloved-franchise |archive-date=October 31, 2017}}</ref>
 
In 2024, Singer further explained, Brown and her team came to contract negotiations with a list of "unusual perks." She further explained, "she wanted a rich deal. It wasn't acrimonious, but I think she wanted her mother to get a shot at writing the story, or getting a producer credit. Had limits on what publicity she would, or wouldn't do. What she wanted to get paid. There were just some things that, at least at the time, felt overreaching, and she didn't budge."<ref name="DisneyHigh">{{cite book |last=Spencer |first=Ashley |date=September 24, 2024 |title=Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire |url=https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250283450/disneyhigh/ |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=9781250283450 |access-date=March 17, 2025}}</ref>
*Kal, Kalabar's son was never really defeated in the second one and a line states that he will be back and Marnie will be ready but he wasn't back in the 3rd movie and not in the 4th either so he can only come back in the fifth and last movie otherwise we are left with many questions.
 
[[Gary Marsh]] wanted a fourth Halloweentown film, with or without Kimberly J. Brown.<ref name="DisneyHigh"/>
*[[Emily Roeske]]'s character, "Sophie" does not make an appearance in this movie, but is mentioned.
 
===Writing===
*Some fans think that in the trailer when Marnie gets the box with S. Cromwell on it, they think its suppose to be for "Sophie," as Sophie Cromwell, but it is revealed to be Splendora, Aggie's real first name.
The production pursued two different script ideas, one of which would have been a musical featuring music written by [[Jim Wise]].<ref name="DisneyHigh"/>
 
==Score==
*There is a rumor that Dylan will have an expanded role in this movie.
In October 2020,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Burgomaster |first1=Kenneth |date=October 27, 2020 |title=WATCH: Return to Halloweentown - Track 1 - Opening: Silas' Message |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS6TR6esMn0&list=PL4SVGTQlm4vGxWfn1z5q67XQ_RgvO2O8R&index=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927205041/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS6TR6esMn0&list=PL4SVGTQlm4vGxWfn1z5q67XQ_RgvO2O8R&index=1 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |website=[[YouTube.com]] |language=en |format=video}}</ref> Kenneth Burgomaster who composed, orchestrated, and conducted the soundtrack for the film uploaded the full score to his YouTube channel.<ref>{{YouTube|c=UCs1M07C_HlP_mX4zwq6gYgg|title=Kenneth Burgomaster}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| title1 = Opening: Silas' Message
| length1 = 1:19
| title2 = Mail Invitation
| length2 = 0:31
| title3 = Hologram Message
| length3 = 0:31
| title4 = Off to the University
| length4 = 2:43
| title5 = Silas Sinister
| length5 = 1:27
| title6 = Sinister Girls: Professor Crog
| length6 = 1:01
| title7 = Aggie's Warning
| length7 = 1:15
| title8 = Aneesa
| length8 = 1:29
| title9 = Professor Crog's Class
| length9 = 1:45
| title10 = Archaeology Class
| length10 = 1:25
| title11 = Skull to Magic Box
| length11 = 1:09
| title12 = Sinister Reading Prophesy
| length12 = 1:57
| title13 = Marnie Can't Open the Box
| length13 = 1:39
| title14 = Marnie Gets the Lowdown
| length14 = 1:49
| title15 = The Library
| length15 = 0:55
| title16 = Dylan Speed Reads
| length16 = 0:37
| title17 = Sinister Dis
| length17 = 0:35
| title18 = Pondering Box
| length18 = 1:55
| title19 = Make Me
| length19 = 0:40
| title20 = Broom Goes Wrong
| length20 = 0:39
| title21 = Back to the Love
| length21 = 0:29
| title22 = The Scroll
| length22 = 1:20
| title23 = Marnie on a Quest
| length23 = 1:29
| title24 = Ancient Halloweentown
| length24 = 1:10
| title25 = Queen Fanfare
| length25 = 1:08
| title26 = Marnie Escapes
| length26 = 1:02
| title27 = Splendora
| length27 = 1:55
| title28 = Silence!
| length28 = 0:31
| title29 = Are You Aggie Cromwell?
| length29 = 1:39
| title30 = Chancellor Steals Amulet
| length30 = 1:24
| title31 = Chasing Dylan Dog
| length31 = 1:31
| title32 = Marnie Sets Off
| length32 = 0:46
| title33 = Queen Fanfare - Trumpets
| length33 = 0:27
| title34 = Amulet Destroyed
| length34 = 4:16
| title35 = More Love
| length35 = 1:43
| title36 = Amulet in the Book - The End
| length36 = 0:38
| total_length = 47:00
}}
 
== Release ==
*This movie is supposed to be darker than the third one.
''Return to Halloweentown'' premiered on Disney Channel on October 20, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Return to Halloweentown (television) |url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/return-to-halloweentown-television/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[D23 (Disney)]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The DVD was released on August 28, 2007.<ref>{{Citation |title=Return to Halloweentown DVD |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Return-to-Halloweentown-DVD/24717/ |access-date=April 19, 2024}}</ref> It was made available to stream on [[Disney+]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bove |first=Kate |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Where To Watch The Halloweentown Movies |url=https://screenrant.com/where-to-watch-halloweentown-movies/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, Disney made the film available for streaming on Disney Channel's [[YouTube]] channel through a live broadcast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Czachor |first=Emily Mae |date=October 29, 2018 |title=There's A 'Halloweentown' Movie Marathon You Can Watch All Day Every Day From Now Until November |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/theres-a-halloweentown-movie-marathon-you-can-watch-all-day-every-day-from-now-until-november-13017478 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Reception==
==Magic of Return to Halloweentown==
=== Critical response ===
(''Note'': This is what has been witnessed in the trailers, DCOM extras, and information given by the filmmakers.)
Alyssa Ray of ''[[E! Online]]'' initially disliked ''Return to Halloweentown'' upon its premiere in 2006, particularly due to the recasting of the lead role, but after rewatching the film 15 years later, Ray was pleasantly surprised by its appeal. Despite the lead actress change, they appreciated the numerous callbacks to the earlier films, including appearances by familiar characters. Ray highlighted the film's standout features, including the character Scarlett as a memorable millennial antagonist and Marnie's fashion, which accurately reflected mid-2000s trends. The college setting and updated special effects, including CGI elements and creative time-travel plotlines, were also complimented. Ultimately, Ray acknowledged ''Return to Halloweentown'' as one of the best entries in the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Alyssa |date=October 31, 2021 |title=Most Unpopular Halloweentown Opinion: The Fourth Film Is the Best |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1306681/most-unpopular-halloweentown-opinion-the-fourth-film-is-the-best |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[E! Online]]}}</ref> Maya Ogolini of ''[[BuzzFeed]]'' deemed ''Return to Halloweentown'' to be a worthy addition to a Halloween movie marathon, highlighting its blend of mystery and the engaging storyline of Marnie, citing the character battling evil forces and exploring an ancient family prophecy while attending Witch University. On the negative side, Ogolini expressed disappointment over the reduced presence of Debbie Reynolds and the recasting of Marnie, saying it caused some confusion for fans. Despite these critiques, Ogolini found the film to be as a satisfying conclusion to the ''Halloweentown'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ogolini |first=Maya |date=October 23, 2021 |title=I Ranked Every Halloween Disney Channel Original Movie Just In Time For Spooky Season |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/mayaogolini/best-disney-channel-movies-halloween |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[BuzzFeed]] |language=en}}</ref>
*Marnie uses her powers to clean out her closet.
*Dylan uses his powers to speed-read through an enormous number of books in the school library.
*One of the Sinister sisters use their powers against a troll, and sends him flying across the campus.
*The staff of the school put a spell over Halloweentown, also turning Dylan into a dog.
*Grandma Aggie magically appears in Marnie's dorm.
*Ethan kisses Marnie to revive her when she is hurt.
*The Sinister sisters put a spell on Dylan to do their homework.
*At the end, Marnie returns everyone to their original state, including Dylan who was turned into a dog.
*Marnie uses magic to make a portal to get them to halloweentown in the beginning.
*A witch uses powers to freeze Marnie.
*Marnie levitates a box that has S.Cromwell on it.
*Marnie reduces a force field in the cafeteria.
*Marnie travels through time.
*A witch uses her powers to disappear.
*Marnie is zapped with purple electricity.
*Marnie and Ethan take a flight on a broom through Halloweentown.
*A Sinister sister casts some kind of spell on an off screen person.
 
Sierra Filucci of ''[[Common Sense Media]]'' gave ''Return to Halloweentown'' a score of three out of five stars and noted the depiction of positive messages in the film. Filucci stated that the main character tend to break rules for good causes while evil characters end up with a punishment. Furthermore, Filucci took notice of the diversity among the cast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Filucci |first=Sierra |title=Return to Halloweentown Movie Review {{!}} Common Sense Media |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/return-to-halloweentown |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Common Sense Media]] |language=en}}</ref> Reagan Thornley of ''[[Her Campus]]'' asserted that the plot of ''Return to Halloweentown'' is well-constructed and features engaging ''Halloweentown'' elements. They noted that the film still holds value for its intriguing aspects and would remain worth watching, but Thornley remarked that the recasting of Marnie significantly impacted their perception of the film. They noted that, had the original actress retained her role, the film might have been received better.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thornley |first=Reagan |date=October 15, 2020 |title=Ranking the Halloweentown Series |url=https://www.hercampus.com/school/ms-state/ranking-halloweentown-series/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Her Campus]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Trailers==
*[http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/video/index.html Return to Halloweentown Trailer & More] (DisneyChannel.com/Videos)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VArbYaJkNGA Return to Halloweentown Teaser Trailer] (YouTube.com)
 
==Premiere== Criticism ====
The film received heavy criticism for not casting original lead actress Kimberly J. Brown as Marnie, despite her being available for the shoot.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/iEnE9yQecCc Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130716235624/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEnE9yQecCc&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |title=Kimberly J. Brown Answers Fans QuestionsVideo |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEnE9yQecCc&t=9m28s |website=[[YouTube]] |date=16 July 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2010 |title="Halloweentown: An Interview with Kimberly J. Brown" |url=http://www.oct31st.org/2010/09/an-interview-with-kimberly-j-brown/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007032123/http://www.oct31st.org/2010/09/an-interview-with-kimberly-j-brown/ |archive-date=2015-10-07 |access-date=2015-09-25 |website=Oct31st.org}}</ref> Stacey Grant of ''[[MTV]]'' said everyone should pretend ''Return to Halloweentown'' never happened, due to the recasting.<ref>{{cite web |author=Grant |first=Stacey |date=September 23, 2015 |title=Kimberly J. Brown Has A Very Big Announcement For All 'Halloweentown' Fans |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2279997/kimberly-j-brown-returns-to-halloweentown-st-helens-festival/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040854/http://www.mtv.com/news/2279997/kimberly-j-brown-returns-to-halloweentown-st-helens-festival/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |work=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> Sabienna Bowman of ''[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]'' referred to the recasting of Brown as a "terrible mistake".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowman |first=Sabienna |date=September 19, 2016 |title=A Complete Ranking Of Disney's Halloween DCOMs |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/183368-a-complete-ranking-of-disneys-halloween-dcoms |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |language=en}}</ref> Andrew LaSane of ''[[Business Insider]]'' noted that several reviewers stated they wished to see Brown come back to portray Marnie in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LaSane |first=Andrew |date=September 29, 2023 |title=Every Halloween-themed Disney Channel original movie, ranked from worst to best |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-channel-original-halloween-movies-ranked-2019-9#audiences-were-ready-to-return-to-halloweentown-2006-but-perhaps-would-have-preferred-if-the-cast-had-too-8 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Business Insider]] |language=en-US}}</ref> According to Sheri Singer, executive producer of the ''[[Halloweentown (film series)|Halloweentown]]'' series,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bove |first=Kate |date=October 4, 2023 |title=Why Disney Didn't Make Halloweentown 5 |url=https://screenrant.com/why-disney-never-made-halloweentown-5/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> Disney and Kimberly J. Brown's representatives were unable to reach an agreement for Brown's return.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donohoo |first=Timothy Blake |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Why Marnie Was Recast in Return to Halloweentown |url=https://www.cbr.com/why-kimberly-brown-recast-as-marnie-return-to-halloweentown/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref>
Return to Halloweentown premiered October 20, 2006 at 8PM/7PM Central on Disney Channel and has ended.
 
=== Ratings ===
After the premiere of the movie will be the premiere of [[The Cheetah Girls]]' new music video ROUTE 66 inspired by the Disney/Pixar Film CARS. It is currently playing.
The premiere of ''Return to Halloweentown'' was seen by a total of over 7.5 million viewers in the United States making it the most-watched basic cable program of the day, and making it the fourth highest-rated Disney Channel Movie at the time of its airing.<ref name="V-RtHT">{{cite journal |author=Denise Martin |date=October 23, 2006 |title=Disney bewitches young aud |url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/disney-bewitches-young-aud-1117952479/ |url-status=live |journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818084701/http://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/disney-bewitches-young-aud-1117952479/ |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="THR-RtHT">{{cite news |author=Kimberly Nordyke |date=October 24, 2006 |title='Halloweentown' draws big audience |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/halloweentown-draws-big-audience-140477 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924183645/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/halloweentown-draws-big-audience-140477 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=September 4, 2015 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Anthony Crupi |date=October 24, 2006 |title=Disney Beats ESPN to Lead Cable Ratings |url=http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003287466 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112012231/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003287466 |archive-date=November 12, 2007 |work=AdWeek}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Mike Reynolds |date=October 30, 2015 |title=Disney Gets 'Halloweentown' Treat |url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6386163.html?display=Top+Stories |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126065729/http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6386163.html?display=Top+Stories |archive-date=November 26, 2006 |work=Multichannel News}}</ref>
you always update rate the movie 1-10 10 the best
 
==See= AlsoAccolades ===
''Return to Halloweentown'' was nominated for Television Movie or Mini-Series at the 2007 [[ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ADG Awards Winner & Nominees |url=https://adg.org/awards/adg/winners/2007/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Art Directors Guild]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=January 18, 2007 |title=Art Directors pick 15 films |url=https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/art-directors-pick-15-films-1117957685/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref> It was nominated for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie|Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie]] at the [[59th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outstanding Art Direction For A Miniseries Or Movie Nominees / Winners 2007 |url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2007/outstanding-art-direction-for-a-miniseries-or-movie |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Variety Staff |date=August 7, 2007 |title=Creative Arts Emmys nominations list, part I |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/awards/creative-arts-emmys-nominations-list-part-i-1117969872/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Halloweentown (film)]]
 
*[[Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge]]
== Future ==
*[[Halloweentown High]]
In October 2017, producer Sheri Singer has expressed interest in doing a fifth film, but would need Disney to sign off.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bricker |first=Tierney |date=October 30, 2017 |title=Is a Fifth Halloweentown Movie in the Works? |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/889850/is-a-fifth-halloweentown-movie-in-the-works |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929224335/https://www.eonline.com/news/889850/is-a-fifth-halloweentown-movie-in-the-works |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |publisher=[[E!|E! Online]]}}</ref> Actress [[Kimberly J. Brown]] has previously expressed interest on reprising her role as Marnie Piper should a fifth film ever materialize.<ref>{{cite web |last=Devoe |first=Noelle |date=October 13, 2016 |title=Kimberly J. Brown Talks Being Recast in 'Halloweentown': 'I Was Disappointed For The Fans' |url=https://seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/news/a43244/kimberly-j-brown-talks-halloweentown-legacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103170510/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/news/a43244/kimberly-j-brown-talks-halloweentown-legacy/ |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |accessdate=November 3, 2022 |website=[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McPhee |first=Paige |date=October 30, 2017 |title=We Finally Found Out Why 'Halloweentown' Recast Marnie And We Are NOT Pleased |url=https://narcity.com/we-finally-found-out-why-halloweentown-recast-marnie-and-we-are-not-pleased |accessdate=November 3, 2022 |website=[[Narcity Media]]}}</ref> In a 2020 interview with ''[[E!]]'', [[Phillip Van Dyke]] expressed interest in returning for another film if the rest of the cast also returned.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bautch |first=Hillary |date=October 31, 2020 |title=Could There Be a Halloweentown Reboot? Phillip Van Dyke Tells All |url=https://eonline.com/news/1203812/could-there-be-a-halloweentown-reboot-phillip-van-dyke-tells-all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105174346/https://www.eonline.com/news/1203812/could-there-be-a-halloweentown-reboot-phillip-van-dyke-tells-all |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |accessdate=November 5, 2022 |website=[[E! Online]]}}</ref>
*[[Disney Channel's Hauntober Fest 2006]]
 
==See also==
* [[List of films set around Halloween]]
* ''[[Halloweentown (film)|Halloweentown]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Halloweentown High]]'' (2004)
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.disneychannel.com/returntohalloweentown/ Official Website]
 
*{{imdb title|id=0816520|title= Return to Halloweentown}}
==External links==
*[http://www.family.ca/whatson/showinfo.php?show=Halloweentown+IV%3A+Return+to+Halloweentown+&match=exact family.ca]
* {{Official website}}
*[http://www.standard.net/xx/features/89452/ Article]
* {{IMDb title}}
*[http://www.allinfoaboutfamilyscreenscene.com/Halloweentown.html Summary Information]
 
{{s-startHalloweentown}}
{{David Jackson}}
{{s-bef|before=[[The Cheetah Girls 2]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Disney Channel Original Movies]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jump Start!]]}}
{{end}}
 
[[Category{{DEFAULTSORT:Return To Halloweentown]]}}
[[Category:DisneyHalloweentown Channel(film original filmsseries)]]
[[Category:Sequel2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 comedy films]]
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[[Category:2006 television films]]
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[[Category:2000s fantasy comedy films]]
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[[Category:American comedy television films]]
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[[Category:American fantasy television films]]
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[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:American teen comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about witchcraft]]
[[Category:Films directed by David Jackson (director)]]
[[Category:Films set in 2003]]
[[Category:Films set in universities and colleges]]
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[[Category:Halloween comedy films]]