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Here’s What 7 People From the Original ‘Hocus Pocus’ Look Like Today

Samantha Franco
Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / kanuk8 / MovieStillsDB
Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / kanuk8 / MovieStillsDB

Hocus Pocus came out on July 16, 1993, and it has become a Halloween favorite for many fans. The three villainous witches, the Sanderson Sisters, make the film both creepy and hilarious, and the antics that they and the other characters get into are fun for the entire family to watch. Now, with the release of the long-awaited sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, we are taking a look at the original cast and what they looked like then versus now!

Thora Birch, who played Dani

Thora Birch as Dani in Hocus Pocus
Thora Birch as Dani in Hocus Pocus. (Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / lindsaylohanslastfan / MovieStillsDB)

Thora Birch was only 11 years old when she played Dani in Hocus Pocus. She continued acting throughout the 1990s and even appeared on The Walking Dead. Today, Birch is 40 years old.

Headshot of Thora Birch
Thora Birch arrived at the Los Angeles Premiere of Columbia Pictures’ Bullet Train at Regency Village Theatre on August 01, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Credit: Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images)

Omri Katz, who played Max

Omri Kats as Max Dennison in Hocus Pocus
Omri Katz as Max Dennison in Hocus Pocus. (Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / MoviePics1001 / MovieStillsDB)

Omri Katz was 17 years old when he played Max in Hocus Pocus. He took a step back from acting after the 1990s, and has since fully retired from the industry. Now, he is 46 years old.

Vinessa Shaw, who played Allison Watts

Allison, Max, and Dani from Hocus Pocus
Vinessa Shaw, Omri Kats, and Thora Birch captured in a scene from Hocus Pocus as Allison, Max, and Dani. (Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / lindsaylohanslastfan / MovieStillsDB)

Vinessa Shaw was also 17 years old when she played Allison Watts in Hocus Pocus. She has had a fruitful acting career since, appearing in a variety of movies of different genres like horror and comedy, as well as some television shows. Like Katz, Shaw is 46 years old today.

Headshot of Vinessa Shaw
Vinessa Shaw attended the Midsummer Scream: Hallowe’en And Horror Convention held at Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center on July 29, 2022, in Long Beach, California. (Photo Credit: Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images)

Bette Midler, who played Winifred Sanderson

Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus
Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus. (Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / Sicoe_Vlad / MovieStillsDB)

Bette Midler was 48 years old when she iconically played Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson, head of the Sanderson Sisters. She already had a colorful acting career on and off Broadway, and has not stopped. Even now, at the age of 76, Midler continues to act. She appears in the new sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, as none other than Winifred Sanderson.

Bette Midler in. striped dress and pink head wrap
Bette Midler attended the Hocus Pocus 2 world premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on September 27, 2022, in New York City. (Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images for Disney)

Kathy Najimy, who played Mary Sanderson

Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson in Hocus Pocus
Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson in Hocus Pocus. (Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / kanuk8 / MovieStillsDB)

Kathy Najimy played the second oldest Sanderson Sister, Mary Sanderson, at the age of 36. She continued to act throughout the years, also dabbling in comedy and in voice acting. Now she’s 65, and like Midler, came back to play a Sanderson Sister once again in Hocus Pocus 2.

Kathy Najimy in a black dress
Kathy Najimy attended the Hocus Pocus 2 world premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on September 27, 2022, in New York City. (Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Disney)

Sarah Jessica Parker, who played Sarah Sanderson

Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in Hocus Pocus
Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in Hocus Pocus. (Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / Liz21 / MovieStillsDB)

Sarah Jessica Parker was about 28 when she played the flirtatious and ditzy Sarah Sanderson, the youngest of the Sanderson Sisters. She has continuously remained on screen since then, taking on many new acting projects. Now, she is 57 years old and like her other “Sisters,” has come back to play Sarah Sanderson in Hocus Pocus 2.

Body shot of Sarah Jessica Parker in a floral purple and silver tunic
Sarah Jessica Parker attended the Hocus Pocus 2 world premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theatre on September 27, 2022, in New York City. (Photo Credit: Jose Perez / Bauer-Griffin / GC Images / Getty Images)

Doug Jones, who played Billy Butcherson

Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus
Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus. (Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures / MoviePics1001 / MovieStillsDB)

Doug Jones was 33 when he played the creepy but loveable Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus. He went on to play multiple roles in the realm of the creepy, and has established a reputation for playing non-human characters. Now he is 62 years old and he too came back to play Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus 2. 

Full body shot of Doug Jones in a mystical outfit
Doug Jones attended the Hocus Pocus 2 World Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on September 27, 2022, in New York City. (Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Disney)

Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

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