The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (2024)

Even though it's been 27 years since Winifred first put a spell on viewers, Disney'sHocus Pocusis still widely considered required viewing every October (in fact,Freeform's "31 Nights of Halloween"programming usually includes 27 airings of theclassic Halloween movie). In case you're curious about where the Sanderson sisters and Dennisons ended up though, here's a rundown of what the cast of the iconic Halloween flick has been up to after all of this time.

1. Then: Bette Midler

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (1)

Hocus Pocusfans may remember Bette Midler as the hilariously wicked Winifred Sanderson, but this was far from Bette's only major acting role when the movie premiered in 1993. In 1979, she starred inThe Rose(andearned an Oscar nomination for it)and sang the film's title soundtrack also entitled "The Rose." By the early 1990s,Bette's résuméalso included a Special Tony Award, two Emmys, three Grammy Awards, and three Golden Globe awards.

2. Now: Bette Midler

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (2)

Bette has continued to receive many accolades. Her principle role inHello Dolly!scored her a Tony, Outer Critics Circle Award, and Drama Desk Award all in 2017. A few years back in 2015, Bette was busy on her 10th concert tour entitledDivine Intervention. Most recently though, youmay have seen heronThe Good Place,Wedding Day Winners, orThe Goldbergs. She also appeared at the 2019 Oscars to perform theMary Poppins Returnsballad "The Place Where Lost Things Go." Today, she remains married to her husband, Martin von Haselberg.

3. Then: Sarah Jessica Parker

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (3)

Like Bette, Sarah Sanderson — er, Jessica Parker — was making waves well before casting spells on the children of Salem.Her creditsin the '80s includedSquare Pegs,A Year in the Life,Footloose,Hotel, andThe Ryan White Story.

4. Now: Sarah Jessica Parker

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (4)

SinceHocus Pocus, Sarah has gone on to receive worldwide fame for her titular role inSex and the City(which also inspired two films). More recently, Sarah has acted inGlee,Failure to Launch,The Family Stone, and starred in the HBO TV seriesDivorce. Four years afterHocus Pocuswas released, Sarah got married to fellow actor Matthew Broderick.

RELATED:Where WasHocus PocusFilmed?

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5. Then: Kathy Najimy

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (5)

Kathy had an amazing acting career in the '90s. Apart fromHocus Pocus,she scored several parts in films, TV series, and animated projects. Most notably, Kathy worked onSister Act,It's Pat: The Movie,Topsy and Bunker: The Cat Killers,King of the Hill,Chicago Hope, andThe Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story.

6. Now: Kathy Najimy

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (6)

In the new millennium, Kathy began taking on roles behind the camera, as well. In 2012, she worked on the filmThese Girls.Four years later, she served as a consulting producer for the TV seriesThe Jamz. Her latest roles to date include acting as Wendy Keegan inV eepand Judge Gayle Eno inThe Good Fight. In 1998, she married singer and actor Dan Finnerty.

7. Then: Sean Murray

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (7)

Thackery, a.k.a. Sean, was only 16 at the time when he played Emily's heroic older brother. Because of his young age, he only hada few credits to his namein 1993, includingToo Romantic,Civil Wars, andThis Boy's Life.

8. Now: Sean Murray

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (8)

PostHP,the acting jobskept coming for Sean. Aside from appearing in various TV series —Touched by an Angel,The Random Years,Harts of the West— mostNCISfans know him today as Timothy McGee. In 2005, Sean married Carrie James.

9. Then: Omri Katz

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (9)

Just like Sean, Omri was only a teen (17 to be exact) when he was cast as Max. Even though it seems early, Omri actuallystarted actingwhen he was seven as John Ross Ewing in the TV seriesDallas.

10. Now: Omri Katz

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There are no recent public photos of Omri, andhis Instagram page has been disabled. But thankfully, Vinessa Shaw, who played Allison, posted this photo with her co-star in 2015.Omri's IMDbshows that he retired after his role inJourney Into the Nightin 2002 and instead took up hairdressing. Since then, he's kept a relatively low profile.

11. Then: Vinessa Shaw

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (10)

Vinessa was just 17 at the time when she appeared as Allison in the popular Disney flick.

12. Now: Vinessa Shaw

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (11)

Vinessa continued to appear here and there in various projects (including inCSI NY). She has also scored bigger roles inRay Donovan,Vegas,Those Who Kill, and, most recently,Family Blood. On a personal note, Vinessa Shaw tied the knot with Kristopher Gifford back in 2008.

13. Then: Thora Birch

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (12)

ThoughHocus Pocuswas a big deal to the then 11-year-old, Thora had already been discovered when she appeared inPatriot Gamesas little Sally Ryan. Before that, Thora played Molly Johnson inPurple People Eaterwhen she was only six.

14. Now: Thora Birch

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (13)

Six years afterHocus Pocus, Thora gained even more notoriety in Hollywood for her starring role inAmerican Beauty. She has since landedmany big rolesin the industry, such asColony,Night Visions,Deadline, andAffairs of State. The last two years have been particularly busy ones for Thora. Most recently, she's portrayed Jolene inAbove Suspicionand Chloe inKindred Spirits.

15. Then: Doug Jones

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (14)

Doug Jones is a man of many talents. Not only was he an actor when he played the sympathetic zombie Billy Butcherson, but he was alsoa well-known contortionist. Besides his role as Billy, hisIMDbshows that he had only priorly worked on the TV seriesMcDonaldland,Batman Returns,Night Ken, andIn Living Color.

16. Now: Doug Jones

The Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks So Different 27 Years Later (15)

Today, Doug has a whopping166 acting creditsto his name, many of which you've never seen his face for. That's becauseDoug has taken on so many projectsinvolving heavy prosthetics and movie makeup. His work includes playing Silver Surfer in theFantastic Foursequel, the Gentleman inBuffy the Vampire Slayer, the Faun inP an's Labyrinth, and Satu inStar Trek: Discovery. He remains married to his wife, Laurie Jones, who he wed in 1984.