Posted on Sep 25, 2023 2:30:07 PM
Celebrate 30 years ofHocus Pocus by seeing it at Regal on October 6, 2023.
The temperature outside is starting to drop a bit. The evening air is crisp and stores are overflowing with Halloween decorations. That can only mean one thing: Hocus Pocus season is upon us! This year is a big milestone as the original 1993 movie turns 30 years old. The potion for the perfect Halloween movie is equal parts 90s nostalgia and lovable kooky characters with just a dash of outlandish premise. Disney cast a spell on audiences who grew up watching this movie every Halloween. Now that 30 years have passed, the tradition has been passed down to younger audiences as well. As we gear up for our annual rewatch, let’s reminisce on the characters of Hocus Pocus 30 years later and see what some of the cast is up to now!
The Cast That Put a Spell on You
Omri Katz plays Max, the new kid in school who moved from California. Omri appeared in several 90s and early 2000s roles, but he hasn’t acted in the last couple of decades. He currently owns a cannabis company and still makes appearances with some of hisHocus Pocusco-stars at various conventions.
Thora Birch plays Max’s precocious little sister, Dani. Thora was something of an icon throughout the 90s and early 2000s with memorable roles inAmerican BeautyandGhost World. She has continued her acting career and just had her directorial debut in 2022 with the Lifetime movieThe Gabby Petito Story.
Vinessa Shaw plays Allison, Max’s classmate and crush. Vinessa is still acting in film and television roles and does fan appearances at various conventions.
Fun fact: everyone’s favorite sarcastic black cat, Thackery Binx (or just Binx for short) is voiced by a different actor than the actor who plays Thackery’s human form. Both human and cat Binx are voiced by Jason Marsden. Jason has done voice work on many shows and movies you know and love since the 90s, including various voices inThe Fairly Oddparentsand Max inA Goofy Movie. Today he’s still doing voice work and also does lots of fan appearances for his various roles.
Of course, at the heart ofHocus Pocusare the wickedly endearing Sanderson sisters. The trio steals the show from the moment they appear. The slapstick comedy between Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy) is reigned in by their ringleader Winifred (Bette Midler). All three actors returned to star in 2022’sHocus Pocus 2.
Sarah Jessica Parker is of course most famous for her role as Carrie in HBO’s hit show from the 90s and 2000s,Sex and the City. She’s currently reprising her role in the sequel seriesAnd Just Like That.
Kathy Najimy’s most notable roles are as Sister Mary Patrick inSister ActandSister Act 2: Back in the Habitas well as the voice of Peggy Hill onKing of the Hill. These days she does mostly voice acting with some live action acting as well. She’s also an activist and does a lot of appearances to advocate for issues she is passionate about.
Bette Midler’s illustrious career has spanned Broadway and the silver screen. For her contributions in entertainment and artistry, she has received 3 Grammys, 3 Emmys, and 2 Tonys. After an incredible decades-long career, she is now quietly enjoying semi-retirement. She still accepts some acting roles but toldParade in 2021that her days of live performances were behind her.
There is one more character who returned for the sequel. Doug Jones plays Billy Butcherson, a clumsy zombie who once dated Winifred. In the years since the originalHocus Pocus, Jones has worked extensively with Guillermo del Toro to bring many of his creatures to life, including the aquatic creature in 2017’sThe Shape of Water. Like many of his co-stars, he also does fan appearances from time to time.
The Future of a Cult Classic
The long-awaited sequelHocus Pocus 2was released last fall. The Sanderson sisters wreaked havoc upon Salem once again, this time terrorizing a new generation of unsuspecting citizens. The movie was an immediate hit, as fans of the original movie were eager to not only see more from their favorite Halloween characters, but also share the magic of the franchise with their own kids.
Even the cast members themselves were fans of the original movie. Last year,Moviefone sat down for an interviewwith the returning Doug Jones and Sam Richardson who plays bookshop owner Gilbert inHocus Pocus 2. Sam spoke about how he grew up withHocus Pocus: “I wouldn't say that I was a fan of the original, I would say that I was an uberfan and a true obsessed maniac for this movie.” It was a dream come true for him to work alongside the characters he loved as a kid.
For those of us who are wanting even moreHocus Pocuscontent to devour, I have some spook-tacular news! On June 4th of this year, Disney confirmed thatHocus Pocus 3 is in the works. No release date has been set, but pretty soon our favorite Halloween franchise will expand into a triple feature! We can’t wait to see more hijinks from our favorite witches. In the meantime, you can see Hocus Pocus on the big screen again when it returns to Regal for its 30th anniversary on October 6, 2023.
