Photo: Everett; Jacques BENAROCH/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock
It may be a Halloween favorite, but the spooky faveHocus Pocuswas actually a summer release, debuting in theaters on July 16, 1993.With the film’s 30th anniversary here — and the sequelHocus Pocus 2available on Disney+, with athird filmon the way — catch up with the Sanderson sisters and their friends and foes, then and now.
It may be a Halloween favorite, but the spooky faveHocus Pocuswas actually a summer release, debuting in theaters on July 16, 1993.
With the film’s 30th anniversary here — and the sequelHocus Pocus 2available on Disney+, with athird filmon the way — catch up with the Sanderson sisters and their friends and foes, then and now.
01of 09Bette Midler as Winifred SandersonEverett; JASON SZENES/EPA/REX/ShutterstockJusttryto think ofHocus Pocuswithout immediately hearing Midler’s hilariously calling out, “Sisters!” The iconic actress gave one of the most memorable performances of her career in the cult hit, with thousands of fans still dressing as her Winifred for Halloween every year.Now, Midler has one of the most successful careers of the bunch and has gone on to win fourGrammy Awards, fourGolden Globes, one Tony and three Emmys in the years since.Midler, as well as the other Sanderson sisters — Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy — are back forHocus Pocus 2,which started streaming on Disney+ on Sept. 30.
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Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson
Everett; JASON SZENES/EPA/REX/Shutterstock
Justtryto think ofHocus Pocuswithout immediately hearing Midler’s hilariously calling out, “Sisters!” The iconic actress gave one of the most memorable performances of her career in the cult hit, with thousands of fans still dressing as her Winifred for Halloween every year.
Now, Midler has one of the most successful careers of the bunch and has gone on to win fourGrammy Awards, fourGolden Globes, one Tony and three Emmys in the years since.
Midler, as well as the other Sanderson sisters — Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy — are back forHocus Pocus 2,which started streaming on Disney+ on Sept. 30.
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Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson
Everett; Jacques BENAROCH/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock
A pre-Sex and the CityParker stole the show with her air-headed Sarah, whose voice lures children out of their beds in the night during the culmination of the movie.
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Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson
Everett; Chelsea Lauren/REX/Shutterstock
Najimy’s list of credits afterHocus Pocusis way too long to recount, proving the rousing success she’s had since her witch days. She recently had a recurring role onVeepand starred as Peggy for 10-plus years onKing of the Hill.
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Omri Katz as Max
Everett; Valerie Durant/Freeform via Getty
The virgin who lit the black candle and got the party started. Katz’s wide-eyed Max, who would do anything to protect his little sister Dani, is the grounding force of the movie. He even got the girl in the end!
05of 09Thora Birch as DaniEverett; Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/REX/ShutterstockWith Max as the grounding force of the movie, Dani definitely served at the heart. Birch pulled at heartstrings as little Dani, who went from annoying little sister to everyone’s favorite and sassiest character. She’s the one the Sanderson sisters wanted at the end, and there was no way Max was going to let history repeat itself.Birch continues to work regularly, with two movies recently wrapped up and a bevy of other on her résumé. Her most notable role afterHocusPocuscame in 1999’sAmerican Beauty.
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Thora Birch as Dani
Everett; Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock
With Max as the grounding force of the movie, Dani definitely served at the heart. Birch pulled at heartstrings as little Dani, who went from annoying little sister to everyone’s favorite and sassiest character. She’s the one the Sanderson sisters wanted at the end, and there was no way Max was going to let history repeat itself.
Birch continues to work regularly, with two movies recently wrapped up and a bevy of other on her résumé. Her most notable role afterHocusPocuscame in 1999’sAmerican Beauty.
06of 09Vinessa Shaw as AllisonEverett; Matt Baron/REX/ShutterstockIt’s not a ’90s movie without a resident school hottie who falls for the new kid in town. Shaw embarked on the journey to rid the town of the Sanderson sisters once and for all with Max and Dani, forming a tight bond with both along the way.Like Birch, Shaw has been working steadily since the 1993 movie and most recently appeared in several movies. She had a recurring role onRay Donovanin 2014 andVegasback in 2013.
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Vinessa Shaw as Allison
Everett; Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock
It’s not a ’90s movie without a resident school hottie who falls for the new kid in town. Shaw embarked on the journey to rid the town of the Sanderson sisters once and for all with Max and Dani, forming a tight bond with both along the way.
Like Birch, Shaw has been working steadily since the 1993 movie and most recently appeared in several movies. She had a recurring role onRay Donovanin 2014 andVegasback in 2013.
07of 09Doug Jones as Billy ButchersonDisney/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Chelsea Lauren/Variety/REX/ShutterstockThe mummy who saves the night! Jones’s mostly mute performance as Sarah’s ex-boyfriend whom they revive was the most relatable, considering he switched sides at the end before promptly returning to his grave and going back to sleep.Easily the guy with the most credits to his name, Jones recently gained acclaim for his role as the fish in the Oscar-winning movie theShape of Water. The actor is behind some of the most iconic transformations on screen and is a close collaborator of Guillermo del Toro.
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Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson
Disney/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Chelsea Lauren/Variety/REX/Shutterstock
The mummy who saves the night! Jones’s mostly mute performance as Sarah’s ex-boyfriend whom they revive was the most relatable, considering he switched sides at the end before promptly returning to his grave and going back to sleep.
Easily the guy with the most credits to his name, Jones recently gained acclaim for his role as the fish in the Oscar-winning movie theShape of Water. The actor is behind some of the most iconic transformations on screen and is a close collaborator of Guillermo del Toro.
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Buena Vista Pictures; Jim Smeal/BEI/REX/Shutterstock
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Tobias Jelinek as Jay
Buena Vista Pictures; John Salangsang/REX/Shutterstock
Ernie’s sidekick wasn’t as memorable since he didn’t have his named shaved onto his head, but still served as a hilarious gag when they found themselves locked in cages near the end of the movie.
source: people.com
