Hocus Pocus is considered by many as the ultimate Halloween movie, and as such, it’s one of the most-watched movies during Halloween season, but what has the cast been up to since Hocus Pocus was released? Disney has explored a variety of genres and styles for decades, most of them with a family-friendly approach as that’s the studios’ target, and in 1993, it brought a story of witches, spells, and more in Hocus Pocus, directed by Kenny Ortega (who years later would direct the High School Musical trilogy).
Hocus Pocus tells the story of the Sanderson sisters, three witches who in 1693 are executed for their witchcraft practices and the murder of two siblings, Emily and Thackery, though the latter was actually cursed to live as a black cat forever. However, before being killed, the oldest sister, Winifred, manages to cast a spell that will resurrect her and her sisters during a full moon on Halloween when a virgin lights the Black Candle Flame. Centuries later, in 1993, teenager Max inadvertently resurrects the sisters, who start looking for a child to absorb their youth so they can live past Halloween, as the spell only allows them to live for that night and will turn into dust when the sun rises.
Hocus Pocus was released in July 1993 and received mixed reviews from critics, who called it “mediocre” and the story not living up to the talent of the cast. Commercially, it wasn’t a success either, but after annual airings on Disney Channel and Freeform during Halloween season, Hocus Pocus has reached cult status and has become a favorite of the audience. Hocus Pocus starred some big names in the industry, of which some were already well-known stars while others were only getting started – and here’s what the cast of Hocus Pocus has done since the movie’s release.
Bette Midler
Bette Midler played Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson in Hocus Pocus, the oldest sister and the smart leader of the coven. It was Winifred who cast the spell that would resurrect her and her sisters centuries later, and though she tried her best to save herself and her sisters by absorbing Max’s life force, she ended up turning into stone, but that wasn’t the end of her. Since Hocus Pocus, Bette Midler has taken part in a variety of movies, both live-action and animated, such as The First Wives Club, Isn’t She Great, The Stepford Wives, and The Addams Family, where she voices Grandmama. On TV, she played the title character in the series Bette and Hadassah Gold in The Politician, and has mostly appeared as herself in various reality and competition shows. Midler is set to reprise her role as Winifred in Hocus Pocus 2, to be released on Disney+ in 2022.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker played Sarah Sanderson, the youngest sister and also the dim-witted and flirtatious one, with the ability to lure in children with her siren-like voice. Sarah used her power to lure all the children of Salem to her and her sisters’ house, as they prepared to brew the potion they needed to keep living past Halloween and stay young as well. Following Hocus Pocus, Sarah Jessica Parker played Dolores Fuller in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood, Nathalie Lake in Mars Attacks!, and Shelly Stewart in The First Wives Club, among other projects. However, Parker reached worldwide recognition thanks to her role as Carrie Bradshaw in the TV series Sex and the City, its two movies, and the revival And Just Like That.., and she also played Frances Dufresne in Divorce. Parker will reprise her role as Sarah Sanderson in Hocus Pocus 2.
Kathy Najimy
Kathy Najimy played Mary Sanderson, the middle sister who can smell out children. Mary was Winifred’s right-hand and always tried to stay on her good side, complimenting her whenever she could and repeating what she said. Mary is also the most caring of the three but only with her sisters, as she enjoys tracking children down with her powerful sense of smell and suggesting different ways of cooking them. Since Hocus Pocus was released, Kathy Najimy appeared in the movies Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Bride of Chucky, Rat Race, and Dumplin’, as well as in the TV shows Veronica’s Closet, Veep, and Unforgettable. Najimy will return as Mary Sanderson in Hocus Pocus 2.
Omri Katz
Omri Katz played Max Dennison, a teenager from Los Angeles who recently moved to Salem. On Halloween night, Max took his younger sister out trick-or-treating and came across his new crush. Max invited her to the Sanderson cottage, which served as a museum, and lit the Black Flame Candle, thus resurrecting the Sanderson sisters. Max took advantage of the Sanderson sisters’ lack of understanding of the modern world and tricked them into believing he was a wizard and that car headlights were a sign of early sunrise, but that wasn’t enough to buy them some time. Max was ready to sacrifice himself in order to save his sister, and this ultimately led to the supposed destruction of the sisters. Omri Katz is now retired, but after the release of Hocus Pocus, he played Tony Hemingway in The John Larroquette Show, John Ross Ewing III in Dallas: J.R. Returns, and Brad in Freaks and Geeks.
Thora Birch
Thora Birch played Dani Dennison, Max’s eight-year-old sister. Dani was fearless and didn’t hesitate to defend her brother from bullies and witches, and she fought back against the Sandersons, but they still captured her. Winifred tried to get Dani to drink the potion so they could take her life force, but Max stopped them and saved Dani. Following the release of Hocus Pocus, Thora Birch played Jane Burnham in American Beauty, Empress Savina in Dungeons & Dragons, Enid in Ghost World, and Gamma/Mary in The Walking Dead.
Vinessa Shaw
Vinessa Shaw played Allison, Max’s crush and ally of him and Dani against the Sanderson sisters. Her mother was the owner of the Sanderson cottage when it was a museum, and so she knew all about the story of the three sisters. Allison had good knowledge of magic, the occult, and the supernatural, as seen when she sprinkled salt around Billy’s grave to keep Dani safe inside it, as witches can’t directly touch salt. After Hocus Pocus was released, Vinessa Shaw appeared in movies like Eyes Wide Shut, Wayward Son, 40 Days and 40 Nights, Melinda and Melinda, and The Hills Have Eyes. On TV, her most recent and memorable role is that of Kate McPherson in Ray Donovan.
Sean Murray
Sean Murray played Thackery Binx, a young boy who in 1693 followed his little sister into the woods as she was taken by the Sanderson sisters. Sadly, he was unable to save her as the sisters took her life force to rejuvenate themselves, and after a verbal confrontation with Winifred, she cursed him to live forever as a black cat. Binx served as a guide to Max, Dani, and Allison, and told them everything he knew about the Sandersons. Once the sisters were defeated, Binx’s soul was released from the curse and he passed away, reuniting with Emily in the afterlife. Sean Murray’s post-Hocus Pocus projects include the movies This Boy’s Life and the TV shows JAG, The Random Years, NCIS, and NCIS: New Orleans.
Doug Jones
Doug Jones played Billy Butcherson, Winifred's ex-boyfriend who was brought back in 1993 as a zombie. Billy dated Winifred Sanderson centuries ago, but he was in love with Sarah, so after learning this, Winifred poisoned him and sewed his mouth shut so he could not tell her secrets even in death. When Max steals Winifred’s spellbook, she raises Billy as a zombie to chase them and retrieve the book, but Billy turned out to be a good zombie and once he was able to cut open his stitched mouth, he joined Max, Dani, and Allison’s mission to defeat the Sanderson sisters. Doug Jones has become known for portraying non-human creatures, often via make-up and visual effects, and has become a frequent collaborator of Guillermo del Toro, appearing in movies like Pan’s Labyrinth (as the Faun and the Pale Man) and The Shape of Water (as the Amphibian Man). Other roles include Cochise in Falling Skies, The Ancient/The Master in The Strain, Deathbolt in Arrow and The Flash, and Captain Saru in Star Trek: Discovery.
Jodie-Amy Rivera
Jodie-Amy Rivera played Emily Binx, Thackery’s little sister who was captured and killed by the Sanderson sisters in 1693 as they used her to steal her life force and restore their youth. Emily’s death and Thackery’s transformation into a black cat are what led to the arrest of the Sanderson sisters and their death. By the end of Hocus Pocus, Emily’s spirit welcomed Thackery to the afterlife when his curse was broken and he passed away. Jodie-Amy Rivera’s acting credits after Hocus Pocus include the TV series One World, HotForWords, The Princess Chronicles, and It’s on with Alexa Chung.