The Cast of 'Hocus Pocus,' Then and Now (2024)

After being dormant for 29 years, both the Sanderson sisters and the Hocus Pocus franchise have been resurrected. The original movie released in 1993 is a cult classic all Halloween movie fanatics know and love. In 2022, Hocus Pocus 2 was released starring the original three Sanderson sisters: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. The movie and its sequel has inspired all kinds of fanfare—from Hocus Pocus costumes to drinking games to tours of the town where it was filmed.

Though after nearly 30 years, you can expect the original cast to have changed a lot, especially the child actors who are now all grown up. Though the entire cast isn't back for the second movie, you may have recognized some of them in other movies and TV shows over the years. If you're curious like us about what the original cast is doing now (and what they look like) you're in luck, because we've done our research. From the big stars to the small roles like the bus driver that is infatuated by Sarah, we've checked in on them all. With Hocus Pocus 3 officially in development, it's a good idea to get it all straight before a new movie with possibly even more characters is added to the list.

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The most sinister Sanderson was the leader of her sisters, and stopped at at nothing to gain eternal youth.

Bette still celebrates her iconic role with a massive annual Halloween party, the proceeds of which are given to the New York Restoration Project. She's been eager to get back into character for years, calling Hocus Pocus 2 "a dream come true" during a 2022 press conference.

Don't listen to Sarah sing! She may be the ditzier sister, but her pipes are dangerous.

Mary would do whatever she could to please Winifred. Even if it meant riding a vacuum through town...

Over the years, Kathy has brought her hilarious sense of humor to roles on The Good Fight and Veep. She might look a little different in Hocus Pocus 2—and there's a reason for that. She told Entertainment Weekly about her character's famous crooked jaw: "It's on the other side mainly because it's so hard for me to do it on the side I did it on 30 years ago."

Where would we be if a virgin hadn't lit the Black Flame Candle? Max may have been the source of the trouble, but he was also the hero by the time the credits rolled.

Omri hasn't appeared in a TV show or movie since the early 2000s, but he did come out of retirement for the 25th anniversary of Hocus Pocus in 2018. Though he's not in the sequel, he still attends signings, screenings, and events for the original film every October.

Little Dani was the bravest witch around, and didn't let the real-life ones scare her away. (Her human/cat Binx helped, of course.)

Thora appeared in some major movies, including American Beauty and Patriot Games. She came close to appearing in Hocus Pocus 2, but couldn't make it work due to scheduling issues. "There were three options we had for how to bring Dani back, all of which I was excited by," she later revealed to Entertainment Tonight. Birch is now a director, making her debut as a director for the Lifetime movie The Gabby Petito Story in 2022.

Max's crush was the key to breaking into the Sanderson sisters' house.

Vinessa has been married to Kristopher Gifford since 2008 and has one son named Jack. Though she doesn't make an appearance in Hocus Pocus 2, she has some ideas on where her character would be today. "I feel like she and Max are still together, but I think, you know, Allison's from Salem and he always wants to go to California, so, I think they did some sort of compromise," she told Entertainment Tonight. Shaw is still acting today, appearing in movies including The Hills Have Eyes and After the Fall.

Okay, so Thackery was a cat for most of the movie. But we got a glimpse at his human form for at least a few minutes!

Sean was a member of the NCIS cast, playing the lovable McGee. While you won't see him in the sequel, the actor still gets recognized for his role in the original film. "I have kids come to me and their parents grew up on it and now their kids grow up on it. It's like a cult favorite," he told E!.

Even though Amanda Shepherd's character is only in the movie briefly, the whole plot revolves around her. Who knows what would have happened if Emily didn't go into the woods that day?

There was a slight misunderstanding about the actress who played Emily Binx. The internet spread a rumor that YouTuber Jodie-Amy Riveria was the child star—but it was actually Amanda. The two of them set things straight for everyone in an interview with Cosmopolitan. Amanda has since worked in real estate in Malibu, and now runs a Reiki healing practice called Shekinah Speaks.

Who could forget Max's mom, Jenny, who essentially ignores her children's warning and ends up spellbound to the dance floor?

Stephanie is still acting, primarily in supporting roles in movies and on TV. A few of her recent projects include The Goldbergs and Uncoupled. While she isn't in Hocus Pocus 2, you'll spot someone wearing her character's iconic Madonna costume, so keep an eye out!

Charles put his comedian training from Saturday Night Live to good use when he played Max's dad, Dave. We're sure his Dracula pun would have killed in an opening monologue.

Sadly, Charles passed away near his house in Connecticut in 2005. The comedian was known for his roles in films like Dumb and Dumber and Dances with Wolves. His final film role was in Fly Me to The Moon in 2007.