Hocus Pocus is one of those seasonal movies that really does just get better with age. But did the cast? We came over all nostalgic when we thought about the Halloween classic and, in a Carrie Bradshaw way, couldn't help but wonder, whatever happened to the cast of the 1993 movie? We did some digging and found out as much as we could and the results may or may not surprise you.
Firstly, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room that is Sarah Jessica Parker as sexy siren Sarah Sanderson. Before she was Carrie, SJP was an overly frustrated blonde dimwit, providing one of the most memorable moments from the movie when she Pied Pipers all the kids in the town so that her and her sisters can steal their youth. We're not 100% sure if she actually sang it or not, although she is credited and was an Annie in her youth, but either way, it definitely paid off, as she's gone on to be one of the most successful cast members, and is a household name these days. Also, looking very much improved.
Bette Midler needs very little comment. Arguably the most famous and successful cast member at the time, Midler's A-List status has not waned, and she's continuing to work to this day, her latest production Parental Guidance with Billy Crystal proving she still has the chops. And looking very well for 66 years old!
Kathy Najimy, Sister Mary Patrick to any self-respecting '90s cinema fan, went on to play Olive in short lived late '90s sitcom Veronica's Closet with Kirstie Alley, before moving on to lots of bit parts on TV, as well as the odd voiceover work including voicing one of the fat humans on board the spaceship in WALL-E, and also recently guest judged the underwatched TV masterpiece that is RuPaul's Drag Race.
Omri Katz grew to teen fame back in the '90s with TV horror show Eerie, Indiana, which petrified many back in the day before starring as swoonable over teen virgin Max. Katz went on to do more short lived TV shows before sort of fading away, his last work being a short film called Journey Into Night. Now 36 and borderline untraceable, we hope life turned out well for him. He was such a looker. Now, well, see for yourself.
Thora Birch was only 10 years old when filming Hocus Pocus, and her career exploded from that point, as she navigated the wilds of child-acting and negotiated the transition to adult roles with American Beauty and Ghost World, cementing her acting career and she's still working today. But my has she changed.
Vinessa Shaw, whose first name is an abomination but let's move on, played Max's love interest Allison, whom he was repeatedly embarrassed in front of before finally saving the day and getting the girl. Shaw has had a reasonable career since Hocus Pocus, with roles in almost every genre, from 40 Days and 40 Nights with Josh Hartnett to The Hills Have Eyes. And she's barely aged a day.
Last but certainly not least, Sean Murray (a great Irish name) played Thackery Binx, the boy who became the talking cat that paved the way for Salem in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Murray's career was slow for a while after Hocus Pocus, but then in 2003 landed himself the role of Timothy McGee (another great Irish name) in NCIS, which has kept him busy for the past decade. Also, like Shaw, he's looking very well.
