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Cursed Films Released After an Actor’s Death

Many moving parts go into a film’s production. From the cast of actors to the camera operators, set designers, audio technicians and other crew members, many key roles are essential, and the loss of any one of them could be devastating to a film’s final product. Besides losing a director, the worst upheaval often stems from the unexpected death of a key actor before a movie is completed.

Through technology and recasts — depending on when the death occurred — movies can sometimes still be completed and released posthumously. The bigger question might be whether that’s the best choice, considering some films have seemed downright cursed after the death of a key player. Take a look!

Saratoga (1937)

Back in the days of Old Hollywood, producers were in charge of more than just production. They also controlled the ins and outs of the lives of their star actresses. One of the most gut-wrenching examples of this was young Jean Harlow, who died at the age of 26.

About 90% of her film Saratoga was complete when she died, and the crew had to finish her parts with body doubles and voice actors to imitate her signature sound. The film was a success, but the studio — MGM — constantly faced financial troubles after that.

To Be or Not to Be (1942)

Because he was one of the originators of the romantic comedy genre, audiences usually clamored to score a spot in the theater for Ernst Lubitsch’s latest film in the throes of Old Hollywood. However, his 1942 film To Be or Not to Be — released in the months following actress Carole Lombard’s death — was not very successful.

After his leading lady died in a plane crash, Lubitsch’s film went over quite poorly with audiences. They were confounded by the story, which relentlessly mocked the very real threat of Nazi Germany during World War II.

Brass Monkey (1948)

Believe it or not, the sensationalism of the tabloid magazine is not a new phenomenon. They have been around since the very beginning of Hollywood, and audiences have almost always been obsessed with the inner workings of the lives of their favorite stars.

When Carole Landis committed suicide before the release of 1948’s Brass Monkey — allegedly because of heartbreak over actor Rex Harrison’s rejection — moviegoers wanted to flock to see the film. However, once they learned that it was nothing to write home about, critics and audiences proceeded to ignore it.

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

James Dean had barely gotten started when he was tragically killed in a car accident. Appearing in his first major screen role just months before in Elia Kazan’s East of Eden , Dean passed away before Rebel Without a Cause could be released.

Today, the film might be the role he’s most known for, although he didn’t live to enjoy the fame. Back then, the movie was almost universally panned by critics. The only reason it made so much money, according to experts at the time, was because of the spectacle of Dean’s death — not because of the quality of the movie.

High Society (1956)

A musical remake of the 1940 smash hit The Philadelphia Story , 1956’s High Society had plenty going for it to potentially transcend (or at least divert itself from) the success of its source material. Featuring the great Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly, what could go wrong?

As it turned out, the death of one of the main actors was something no one could have predicted. This sort of thing generally sours a film, and High Society was no exception. Actor Louis Calhern’s death in the months leading up to the release essentially stained it.

The Misfits (1961)

Some actors are certainly a lot harder to work with than others. This is a lesson that Clark Gable knew better than almost anyone. In fact, the troubles he faced trying to get along with Marilyn Monroe during the filming of 1961’s The Misfits are often blamed for his death before the film’s release.

The Misfits didn’t just claim the life of Clark Gable, though. Less than one year later, Gable’s co-star Marilyn Monroe also lost her life, leading to rumors that The Misfits could be one of the most cursed movies ever.

The Exorcist (1973)

Widely regarded as one of the most cursed movies ever made, it only makes sense that 1973’s The Exorcist would be mentioned here. Naturally, this movie would include a posthumous performance from not just one actor, but two: Jack MacGowran and Vasiliki Maliaros.

The problems with The Exorcist go far beyond the simple fact that these two actors passed before the film’s release. Many reports claim that the set itself was haunted throughout the film’s shoot, with all kinds of spooky goings-on practically becoming commonplace for the cast and crew.

Enter the Dragon (1973)

There’s simply no better martial artist in cinema than Bruce Lee. This is basically a fact at this point. With nearly four decades between his death and the present day, his legacy is continually honored, and his image still as recognizable today as it was back then.

Unfortunately for the cast and crew of Enter the Dragon , Lee died before the now-famous film could be completed. His death during production would eventually be repeated with his own son, making his legacy of martial artistry — and a potential curse — a dark shadow on a sadder tradition.

Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

Based on the success of the television show of the same name, 1983’s Twilight Zone: The Movie should have gone off without a hitch. Bringing together three of the biggest names in sci-fi and fantasy filmmaking at the time to reproduce three classic episodes, the film was as mysterious and dark as an episode of the series itself.

Unfortunately, the film directed by John Landis claimed three lives — two children and a leading actor — in a helicopter accident. To make matters worse, the scene in question potentially violated California labor laws involving children. Criminal charges were filed, and various lawsuits followed.

Curse of the Pink Panther (1983)

When you put the word “curse” in the movie’s title, it seems like you’re more or less asking for trouble to happen. This was the case with 1983’s Curse of the Pink Panther , one of two films in the Pink Panther series made in the wake of actor Peter Sellers’ death.

Co-star David Niven was boosted to a more prominent role in the wake of Sellers’ passing, but he also passed in the days that preceded Curse of the Pink Panther ‘s release. Clearly, Peter Sellers was considered irreplaceable by the man upstairs.

Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

Like The Exorcist , the Poltergeist films have ended up carrying with them a terrifyingly cursed reputation that far exceeds the scares on-screen. For the Poltergeist movies, the deaths of main actors almost seem like a way of life, as commonplace as a director calling “action.”

Actor Julian Beck passed away before the second film could be released, and — tragically — the franchise’s main star, little Heather O’Rourke, passed away at a devastatingly young age before the release of this sequel. Thankfully, nothing went wrong with the remake.

The Exorcist III (1990)

Speak of the devil, The Exorcist III seems to be as cursed as the first entry in the series. A second follow-up to the events of the first film — which remains one of the most highly-praised horror films ever, despite the dips in quality of its sequels — The Exorcist III can’t escape the franchise’s reputation.

An incredibly strange sequel, the movie saw actress Barbara Baxley die two months before the movie’s premiere. It lives on as one of the weirdest horror sequels to come out of the 20th century.

Canadian Bacon (1995)

First and foremost, Michael Moore is a documentary filmmaker. He has tried his hand at acting before and has even attempted stage shows in the past, but at the end of the day, he is always going to be known best for his documentaries. At one point, he even tried doing comedic films.

John Candy starred in Moore’s first — and only (so far) — fictional film titled Canadian Bacon . Strangely, the movie was as political as his other films but untethered from reality. Candy passed away before the movie’s release. Maybe Moore should have taken it as a sign.

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

Like Curse of the Pink Panther in 1983, it’s more than likely that the producers of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers sealed their own fate when they decided to include the word “curse” in the title of their film.

In addition to many horror movies naturally carrying a “cursed” reputation, this Halloween sequel also saw the death of main character actor 0 in the months that followed the final days of shooting. The movie was ultimately a complete hack job, cut to pieces in the post-production editing process.

The Crow (1994)

Just like his father before him, Bruce Lee’s son Brandon tragically passed before the completion of what would be his final film. An aspiring actor who hoped to one day reach the heights of his father, Brandon was robbed of the opportunity in an accidental shooting.

The movie took quite some time to complete after Lee’s inopportune death. While it was well-received upon its eventual release more than a year later, the movie was ultimately destined to live in the shadow of the fateful incident that occurred on set. That is its curse.

Waterworld (1995)

Cult classics don’t have to be good. If there was a cult classic rulebook, that would be rule number one. Look at Waterworld , for example. The 1995 Kevin Costner vehicle was almost universally panned and a total flop here in the United States. As it happens, it may have also been cursed.

Actor Rick Aviles, who had a supporting role in the infamous Waterworld , died before the movie premiered. Could Aviles’ death be the source of the blame for the film’s horrendous performance? While it probably would have flopped, regardless, it’s interesting to consider.

Lost Highway (1997)

Leave it to David Lynch to create one of the most cursed films of the 1990s. While it features only one posthumous performance, the entirety of Lost Highway radiates an ominous sense of fear that seems to have seeped into the lives of the other actors as well.

Lynch favorite Jack Nance died a mysterious death before Lost Highway could be released. Co-star Robert Blake went on to be arrested for murder not long after, and co-star Richard Pryor didn’t appear in another film for the rest of his life.

Queen of the Damned (2002)

Very loosely based on the third novel in the popular Vampire Chronicles series, 2002’s Queen of the Damned was a horror movie destined to be a huge hit. Starring superstar Aaliyah as the titular evil royal, the film was halted when the singer-actress was killed in a plane crash.

A year later when the film was finally completed, all hopes of it being a success were essentially tossed out. It barely made back its budget and was nearly undone by the negative reception from both critics and audiences alike.

Waitress (2007)

For a movie about domestic violence and the harmful effects on the victims as well as their friends and family, it’s a horrible twist of fate that writer, director and actor Adrienne Shelly was killed before her film Waitress could be released. When you hear she died from a horrific act of violence, it just makes the death even harder to bear.

The movie has enjoyed success as of late, thanks in large part to its Broadway adaptation, but the real shame is that Shelly never got to make another film. She was destined to be a real success, and her death truncated any and all hopes of that happening.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)

After playing the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 film The Dark Knight , Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription medications. Many considered his untimely death to be a direct result of the psychological torment he supposedly experienced during the shoot.

While this was later disputed, his unfinished role in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus proved to be pretty troubling for the rest of the cast and crew. Four other actors were brought in to finish Ledger’s role, but — unlike The Dark Knight , which was already mostly complete — this posthumous completion resulted in the movie flopping hard.

The Last Film Festival (2016)

Dennis Hopper is a pillar of the New Hollywood movement. At a time when the moviemaking industry faced plenty of uncertainty — the focus of Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood — Hopper and friends came along and revitalized the process.

His death in 2010 was nothing short of difficult, not just for his family and friends but for the crews of the films he was working on. Still unreleased, Hopper’s final role The Last Film Festival has been shelved and considered doomed in the wake of the actor’s death.

Furious 7 (2015)

From the very beginning of the franchise, Paul Walker was the most important character in the Fast & Furious universe. It started with him, dating all the way back to 2001’s The Fast and the Furious , but after 2013, the series had to continue on without him.

His death in a car accident during the shooting of Furious 7 resulted in Walker’s role being completed through CGI and body doubles. The franchise has been on a rocky road in the years since, coming across as more unfocused and increasingly ridiculous.

Wish I Was Here (2014)

At the time, news of Zach Braff’s follow-up to his debut film Garden State was quite buzzworthy. Funded largely through Kickstarter, Wish I Was Here had both fans and audiences talking before the movie had even gone into production.

One of the film’s co-stars, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ‘s James Avery, didn’t live long enough to see the film through to the end, however. His death was an early indication that the movie wasn’t destined for the same heights as Braff’s first. It ultimately disappeared into obscurity soon after its release.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Parts 1 and 2 (2014, 2015)

Was there a greater actor to come out of the last few decades than Philip Seymour Hoffman? It’s not likely. Working on a slapstick comedy one day and a gripping drama the next, Hoffman’s range often surpassed his colleagues and consistently garnered praise.

His death in early 2014 meant that his final two roles — Plutarch Heavensbee in the final Hunger Games entry, Mockingjay , which was split into two parts — were released posthumously. Once intended to be a long-spanning series of main entries followed by spinoffs, The Hunger Games craze has practically vanished.

Absolutely Anything (2015)

A new movie from the Monty Python boys should have been a smash hit. Judging by the sheer amount of success achieved with earlier films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Monty Python’s Life of Brian , a brand new collaboration could have allowed the troupe to reach new heights.

2015’s Absolutely Anything , starring Simon Pegg and Robin Williams, was absolutely anything but a hit, unfortunately. Put out a year after Williams’ death, the movie was a box office failure and a critical disaster.

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

Robert Loggia had a long and fascinating career. Born in 1930, the actor enjoyed all kinds of notable Hollywood roles. From An Officer and a Gentleman and Scarface to Big and Independence Day , Loggia was a character actor who refused to play the same character.

Reprising his Independence Day role for the sequel was a fun bit of news at the time, but his death six months before the film’s release cast a shadow on the whole affair. The movie was supposed to soar, but it never exceeded its predictions. Cursed or simply lacking Will Smith? It’s hard to say.

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Still a relatively up-and-coming talent at the time of this death, Anton Yelchin had just started to begin his slow, steady rise to the A-list. An absolutely fantastic performer, no matter the size of the role, Yelchin was a promising talent, and his death in 2016 still hurts today.

A supporting player in J.J. Abrams’s revived Star Trek trilogy, Yelchin’s death marked the end of the series dubbed the Kelvin Timeline. Many directors have tried and failed to get the rebooted series going again, but all efforts have been squelched before any progress was made.

The Circle (2017)

Bill Paxton was a staple of blockbuster filmmaking ever since he first appeared in the first Terminator movie in 1984. From there, he went on to be an essential part of various action franchises like Aliens , Predator 2 and various movies made by James Cameron.

His death in 2017 was a devastating blow to fans of his filmography and his franchises. His final role, a thriller starring Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, John Boyega and Karen Gillan, should have been a sure-fire hit. It released two months after his death and flopped.

Star Wars – Episode VIII: The Last Jedi’ (2017) and Star Wars – Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Carrie Fisher has always been an integral part of the Star Wars universe. One of the very first characters seen in the first entry, Star Wars – Episode IV: A New Hope , Fisher was a main character for six of the series’ nine films.

After her death in 2016, the final two entries in the Star Wars sequel trilogy faced a tough decision: remove her character or repurpose footage. The filmmakers went with the latter, and the films ended up being two of the most contested entries in the entire saga.

The Other Side of the Wind (2018)

Orson Welles was no amateur. He was the man responsible for the movie many consider to be the greatest of all time: 1941’s Citizen Kane . Originating as a stage director and moving into the film industry in the wake of the success of his first film, Welles enjoyed a long and successful career.

Unfortunately, he died before he could finish his final film in 1985. Titled The Other Side of the Wind , Welles’ death resulted in decades of troubles until Netflix finally managed to release it in 2018.

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Hocus Pocus (1993)

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Full Cast & Crew: Hocus Pocus (1993)

Bette Midler

Sarah Jessica Parker

Kathy Najimy

Thora Birch

Vinessa Shaw

Amanda Shepherd

Larry Bagby

Ernie 'Ice' (as Larry Bagby III)

Tobias Jelinek

Stephanie Faracy

Charles Rocket

Billy Butcherson

Karyn Malchus

Headless Billy Butcherson

Sean Murray

Steve voboril.

Norbert Weisser

Thackery's Father

Kathleen Freeman

D.a. pauley, ezra sutton.

Michael McGrady

Leigh Hamilton

Cop's Girlfriend

Devon Reeves

Little Girl 'Neat Broom'

Joseph Malone

Jordan redmond.

Little Angel

Frank Del Boccio

Lobster Man

Jeff Neubauer

Boy in Class

Teda Bracci

Calamity Jane

Peggy Holmes

Jason Marsden

Thackery Binx (voice)

Elliott J. Brown

Elias Miller (uncredited)

Thomas Callahan

Halloween Party Goer (uncredited)

Darren Geare

Night Child (uncredited)

Kidnapped Child in Supermarket (uncredited)

Garry Marshall

Devil (Husband) (uncredited)

Penny Marshall

The Master's Wife (uncredited)

Daniel Olsen

Charlie's Friend (uncredited)

Russell Potocki

Trick or Treater (uncredited)

Dale Resteghini

Halloween Party Kid (uncredited)

Taylor Stanley

Student (uncredited)

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Hocus Pocus - Full Cast & Crew

• 43   Metascore
• 1 hr 35 mins
• Fantasy, Comedy
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Toil and trouble with a trio of 17th-century witches brought back to life on Halloween.

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See the 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Then and Now

In 1993, the Sanderson sisters became cultural icons and go-to Halloween costumes — and now they're reprising their roles in a sequel. Catch up with the stars now!

It may be a Halloween favorite, but the spooky fave Hocus Pocus was actually a summer release, debuting in theaters on July 16, 1993.

With the film's 30th anniversary here — and the sequel Hocus Pocus 2 available on Disney+, with a third film on the way — catch up with the Sanderson sisters and their friends and foes, then and now.

Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson

Just try to think of Hocus Pocus without 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 four Grammy Awards , four Golden 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 for Hocus Pocus 2, which started streaming on Disney+ on Sept. 30.

Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson

A pre- Sex and the City Parker 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.

The "most beautiful" sister went on to star in Sex and the City five years after the movie was released and has enjoyed a steady string of success in TV, movies and theater since, most recently with the SATC reboot And Just Like That ... and Broadway play Plaza Suite (which costarred her husband, Matthew Broderick).

Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson

If Sarah was the pretty Sanderson sister, then Mary was definitely the sweetest — and most hilarious. Najimy's twisted-mouthed, almost timid performance as the sister who ends up having to fly around on a vacuum cleaner is still a highlight. Never forget her "Buh-bye" as the sisters explode in the air once the sun comes out.

Najimy's list of credits after Hocus Pocus is way too long to recount, proving the rousing success she's had since her witch days. She recently had a recurring role on Veep and starred as Peggy for 10-plus years on King of the Hill .

Omri Katz as Max

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!

Katz went on to star in Dallas and the accompanying TV movie, but stepped away from acting more recently.

Thora Birch as Dani

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 after Hocus Pocus came in 1999's American Beauty .

Vinessa Shaw as Allison

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 on Ray Donovan in 2014 and Vegas back in 2013.

Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson

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 the Shape of Water . The actor is behind some of the most iconic transformations on screen and is a close collaborator of Guillermo del Toro.

Larry Bagby as Ernie a.k.a. Ice

It's also not a '90s movie without dumb bullies, and Bagby's Ernie perfectly fit the mold. He even shaved his street name Ice on the back of his head. Classic.

Bagby graduated from being a bully to roles in shows like Saved by the Bell , Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Young and the Restless , as well as appearances in Ray Donovan and more recently in 9-1-1 .

Tobias Jelinek as Jay

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.

Jelinek has made a name for himself as a TV actor, with recent roles in American Woman, Arrow , Baskets and the first season of Stranger Things.

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Hocus Pocus

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See What the 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Looks Like Today

Thackery Binx and Dani Dennison are not even recognizable.

There's nothing quite like the 1993 Disney Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus , which celebrated its 30th anniversary over the summer. The movie follows Winifred ( Bette Midler ), Sarah ( Sarah Jessica Parker ) and Mary Sanderson ( Kathy Najimy ), a trio of 17th-century witch sisters who strive to stay immortal after being unexpectedly resurrected by a group of teenagers in their hometown of Salem, Massachusetts. Between the performances, scenery and hilarity, it's no surprise viewers keep returning to it each fall. What's more, Disney listened to those begging for a sequel , releasing the equally joyful Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+ in September 2022. To put a cherry on top, a third flick is officially in development .

While it's been three decades since fans first met the Sanderson sisters, it's likely some may be wondering whatever happened to the women who made the magical family so fantastical. Come to think of it, inquiring minds are probably thinking where the actors portraying the Dennison Kids and even Thackery Binx are today. Luckily, it's not hard to put a spell on them to see what they've been up to since we met them long, long ago.

Amanda Shepherd as Emily Binx

Amanda's character Emily Binx is only seen in the first few minutes of Hocus Pocus , but longtime fans know that her presence is the catalyst of all the events that occur in the film. What's more, Amanda's IMDB page indicates that playing Emily was her first role in the acting industry. What a great way to start out a career! RELATED: A Look at All the Real-Life Places Hocus Pocus Was Filmed

Amanda Shepherd Now

Although it doesn't seem like Amanda is in the acting industry anymore, she still acknowledges the major role Hocus Pocus had in her life. Her Instagram account not only reflects her character ( @the_real_emilybinx ), but she often goes to conventions and meets fans who love her role from three decades earlier. On the professional side of things, she released the book Becoming Multidimensional in January and has a reiki business called Shekinah Speaks . RELATED: 80 Best Halloween Movies of All-Time

Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson

While Hocus Pocus fans know Bette Midler as the quirky and terrifying Winifred Sanderson, this was far from her only major acting role when the movie premiered in 1993. In 1979, she starred in The Rose (and earned an Oscar nomination for it ), and sang the film's title soundtrack. By the early 1990s, Bette's résumé also included a Special Tony Award, two Emmys, three Grammy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. Needless to say, Bette was (and still is!) a pretty big deal. RELATED: The Best Disney Halloween Movies to Watch

Bette Midler Now

Bette has continued to collect many awards over the years. Her principle role in Hello Dolly! scored her a Tony, Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award all in 2017. Before that, in 2015, Bette was busy on her 10th concert tour entitled Divine Intervention . You also may have seen her on The Good Place , Wedding Day Winners or The Goldbergs . She reprised her role when she appeared in Hocus Pocus 2 . Today, she remains married to her husband, Martin von Haselberg . RELATED: 38 Scary Movies for Kids Who Like to Feel the Thrill

Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson

Before she became one of the infamous Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus , Sarah had already garnered herself a successful acting career in Hollywood. Ahead of her role in the Disney classic, her acting credits in the ‘80s included a number of parts in Square Pegs , A Year in the Life , Footloose , Hotel and The Ryan White Story . She also developed a theater career in her early days, playing Annie in the Broadway musical of the same name in 1979. RELATED: 32 Best Witch Movies of All Time

Sarah Jessica Parker Now

Since Hocus Pocus , Sarah’s career continued to soar, with her most iconic role being Carrie Bradshaw in HBO’s Sex and the City , its two films and the spin-off And Just Like That . Sarah also acted in movies like Failure to Launch and The Family Stone , and shows like HBO's Divorce . Apart from acting, she also has her own popular shoe label now. Four years after Hocus Pocus debuted, Sarah married actor Matthew Broderick and they have three children together.

Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson

Kathy’s career in the 1990s was definitely booming before starring in Hocus Pocus . Apart from making everyone laugh as Mary Sanderson , she scored many parts in films, TV shows and animated projects. Among the more notable roles, Kathy worked on Sister Act , It's Pat: The Movie , Topsy and Bunker: The Cat Killers , King of the Hill , Chicago Hope and The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story .

Kathy Najimy Now

Three decades later, Kathy continues to act while also taking on more roles behind the camera. In 2012, she worked on the film These Girls. Four years after that, she served as a consulting producer for the TV series The Jamz . Among her other roles, she portrayed Wendy in Veep , Judge Gayle Eno in The Good Fight , Mayor Jen in Duncanville and Denise in Younger . In 1998, she married singer and actor Dan Finnerty.

Sean Murray as Thackery Binx

When Sean Murray got the role of Thackery Binx (a.k.a. Emily's heroic older brother) in Hocus Pocus , he technically was only 16 years old at the time. Due to his young age, he technically only had secured a few credits to his name by 1993. Among some of his earlier projects, he scored roles in the short film Too Romantic , the TV series Civil Wars and and the Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro-led film This Boy's Life .

Sean Murray Now

After Hocus Pocus , the acting jobs kept coming in for Sean. Aside from appearing in various roles on major TV series of the 1990s like Touched By an Angel , The Random Years and Harts of the West , his most popular role came on the hit CBS drama NCIS . Throughout the show's two decades on the air, fans have come to known him for portraying Timothy McGee. In his personal life, Sean married Carrie James in 2005.

Omri Katz as Maximillian "Max" Dennison

Just like Sean, Omri was only a teen (17 years old to be exact) when he was cast as Max Dennison in Hocus Pocus . Even though it seems early for an actor to start his career, Omri actually started acting when he was seven as John Ross Ewing in the TV series Dallas . He also had a number of roles, including the 1991 drama Zorro and the show Eerie, Indiana .

Omri Katz Now

In a surprise move by the actor, Omri's IMDb shows that he hasn't acted since the 2018 TV series Childhood Thoughts, and instead has taken up hairdressing . Over the years, he's kept a relatively low profile, though he does occasionally make an appearance at different events, like Freeform's Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash in 2018 (which is where this picture is from!). As for whether he'd star in Hocus Pocus 3, he told Entertainment Weekly he's "excited for the new film."

Vinessa Shaw as Allison Watts

When Hocus Pocus was released in 1993, Vinessa was 17 years old when she appeared as Allison in the popular Disney flick. Prior to starring in the film, she appeared in two other notable projects in the 1980s: a slasher film titled Home Sweet Home and a sports comedy called Ladybugs .

Vinessa Shaw Now

After Hocus Pocus debuted in theaters, Vinessa continued to take on various projects , including CSI: NY . She later scored bigger roles in Ray Donovan , Vegas , Those Who Kill , Family Blood , The Blazing World, We Need to Do Something and 12 Mighty Orphans . On a personal note, Vinessa tied the knot with Kristopher Gifford and welcomed a son named Jack.

Thora Birch as Dani Dennison

Though Hocus Pocus was a big deal to the then 11-year-old actress, Thora had already been discovered when she appeared in Patriot Games as little Sally Ryan. Before that, Thora made her movie debut in the 1988 film Purple People Eater , portraying a character named Molly Johnson when she was only the age of six. The role also earned her a Young Artist Award that year for "Best Actress Under Nine Years of Age."

Thora Birch Now

Six years after the release of Hocus Pocus , Thora gained even more notoriety in Hollywood for starring in the Oscar-winning movie American Beauty . She has since landed many big roles in the industry, in projects like Colony , Night Visions , Deadline and Affairs of State . In recent years, she portrayed Jolene in Above Suspicion , Chloe in Kindred Spirits , Mary in The Walking Dead and Jess in 13 Minute s . In 2022, she made her directorial debut with The Gabby Petito Story for Lifetime.

Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson

Doug Jones is a man of many talents. Not only was he an actor when he played the sympathetic zombie Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus , but he was also a well-known contortionist . Besides his role as Billy, his IMDb page shows that he had only priorly worked on the TV series McDonaldland , Batman Returns , Night Ken , and In Living Color .

Doug Jones Now

Today, Doug has about 200 acting credits to his name, many of which you've never seen his face for. That's because Doug has taken on many projects involving heavy prosthetics and movie makeup. His work includes playing Silver Surfer in the Fantastic Four sequel, the Gentleman in Buffy the Vampire Slayer , the Faun in P an's Labyrinth and Satu in Star Trek: Discovery . He remains married to his wife, Laurie Jones.

Kayla Keegan leads Good Housekeeping ’s editorial growth strategies in the partnership, news, social, branded, membership and newsletter spaces. Prior to her new position, she was the Senior News and Entertainment Editor for the brand, covering and editing all things in the entertainment, pop culture and celebrity world for  Good Housekeeping . She’s also worked as a social editor for House Beautiful and had previous writing stints at Redbook ,  Cosmopolitan  and  Seventeen .

As the entertainment and news editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping , Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie , 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy , though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.

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• Entertainment

Revisit the "Hocus Pocus" Cast Then and Now

Updated on 9/28/2023 at 1:45 PM

A lot has changed since "Hocus Pocus" (aka The Ultimate Halloween movie) was released in 1993, especially the actors. OK, maybe Bette Midler looks mostly the same, but the child and teen stars from the original haunting tale are all grown up now. And while some, like Thora Birch and Sean Murray, have continued to act in film and TV, others, like Omri Katz, have moved on to other projects. Only the original Sanderson sisters — Sarah Jessica Parker , Kathy Najimy, and Midler — plus Doug Jones (aka, Billy Butcherson) returned in 2022's long-awaited sequel , but we can always watch the original movie again and revisit the Salem residents we first fell in love with.

Back in 2018, Parker confessed on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" that though the movie is a classic with fans, her own recollection of it was pretty hazy. "I don't have a lot of memories. I remember the filming of it. I just don't remember what the movie's about as much," she explained. She continued, "Three witches, I've been told that, and apparently my character's not very bright. But I fly and sing, and I think I like to suck the life . . . I think I like to kill children? I don't know."

Parker also revealed a little of the movie magic that made the film happen, like how they filmed the scenes where the witches flew away on their broomsticks. "They'd call 'cut' and they'd go to lunch or maybe they'd change the lens, and I'd just stay up there," she said. "I could fit an entire New York Times up the back of the corset. And I found that the harness was comfortable, so I would just sit up there and read the Times while people took their breaks or changed the camera and sometime went to lunch."

Revisit the cast of "Hocus Pocus" and learn just what they're up to now.

Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson

In "Hocus Pocus," Bette Midler played the witch Winifred Sanderson, who's the leader of the three sisters, and the smartest.

Bette Midler Now

Midler remains an icon on stage and the screen. In the years since "Hocus Pocus," she starred in movies like "Get Shorty," "The First Wives Club," "The Stepford Wives," and also played the title role in the 2017-18 Broadway revival of "Hello, Dolly!" She also appeared in eight episodes of "The Politician." In 2021, she was awarded a Kennedy Center Honor. She's also set to star in a new movie, "The Fabulous Four," with Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, in Georgia.

Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson

Sarah Jessica Parker plays Sarah Sanderson in "Hocus Pocus." Sarah is the least-smart witch, but it's her voice that lures in the children as prey.

Sarah Jessica Parker Now

Parker found her career-changing role as Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City" in 1998. Thanks to her HBO show "Divorce" and films like "Failure to Launch" and "Did You Hear About the Morgans?," she's cemented her star status, in addition to being one of New York's most recognizable fashion icons. The actor also has an eponymous line of fragrances, accessories, and Italian-made footwear. Most recently, she reprised her role as Carrie for the "Sex and the City" reboot, "And Just Like That ." In 2022, she returned to Broadway in "Plaza Suite," alongside her husband Matthew Broderick .

Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson

Kathy Najimy rounds out "Hocus Pocus"'s Sanderson sisters, starring as Mary. Mary can smell out children.

Kathy Najimy Now

Najimy has continued to work in film and TV since "Hocus Pocus," starring in projects such as 2001's "Rat Race" and completing stints on "Veep" and "Unforgettable." She's also lent her voice to a number of cartoons, including "King of the Hill," in which she voices Peggy, and the Netflix hit "BoJack Horseman." In 2021, she appeared in Netflix's "Single All the Way."

Thora Birch as Dani

In "Hocus Pocus," Thora Birch plays Dani, Max's Halloween-obsessed little sister.

Thora Birch Now

Birch transitioned to more adult roles with 1999's "American Beauty" and "Ghost World." Though she took a break from acting, she resumed her onscreen career in 2016. She went on to star in the drama series "Colony" on the USA Network and in several independent films, and made an appearance on season 10 of "The Walking Dead." In 2022, she directed and appeared in Lifetime's "The Gabby Petito Story."

Omri Katz as Max

Omri Katz plays Max in "Hocus Pocus," the virgin the Sanderson sisters are after.

Omri Katz Now

Katz basically stopped acting after "Hocus Pocus." He's now runs a cannabis company called The Mary Danksters.

Vinessa Shaw as Allison

Vinessa Shaw plays Allison, Max's crush, in "Hocus Pocus."

Vinessa Shaw Now

Shaw continued to work as an actor, appearing in movies like "Eyes Wide Shut," "The Hills Have Eyes," and "3:10 to Yuma." She also played Kate McPherson on season two of "Ray Donovan" and Dr. Jane Mathis in the 2017 thriller film "Clinical."

Sean Murray as Thackery Binx

In "Hocus Pocus," Sean Murray plays the human form of Thackery Binx, a 1600s teen who the Sanderson sisters turn into an immortal cat.

Sean Murray Now

Murray has starred on "NCIS" as Timothy McGee for a whopping 20 years , so you can still see him on your screen on an almost weekly basis.

Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson

Doug Jones plays Billy Butcherson, Winifred's ex-boyfriend who she resurrects as a zombie during the events of "Hocus Pocus."

Doug Jones Now

You may not recognize Jones without his zombie makeup, but he's made a name for himself in Hollywood as a master of portraying creatures who aren't quite human. His many TV credits include "Teen Wolf, "What We Do in the Shadows," "Star Trek: Discovery," and "The Strain." He stars as the Amphibian Man in the 2017 award-winning film "The Shape of Water." Besides the Sanderson sisters, Jones is the only original cast member who appeared in "Hocus Pocus 2."

Stephanie Faracy as Jenny

In "Hocus Pocus," Max and Dani's mom, Jenny, is played by Stephanie Faracy.

Stephanie Faracy Now

Faracy has kept busy with guest roles on TV shows. She's been on everything from "Desperate Housewives" and "Castle" to "How to Get Away With Murder" and "Sneaky Pete." Sadly, her onscreen counterpart in "Hocus Pocus," Charles Rocket, died in 2005.

Tobias Jelinek as Jay

Tobias Jelinek plays Jay, a teenage bully who torments the characters in "Hocus Pocus."

Tobias Jelinek Now

Jelinek stopped acting after appearing as a gang member in 1997's "Batman & Robin," but returned to the industry in 2007. He starred as an agent in the first season of "Stranger Things," and has popped up on shows like "This Is Us," "The Mindy Project," "Arrow," and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." In 2023, he appeared in "Mayfair Witches" and "NCIS: Hawai'i."

Larry Bagby as Ernie, aka "Ice"

Larry Bagby plays Ernie, another bully in "Hocus Pocus."

Larry Bagby Now

Bagby has appeared on "The Young and the Restless," in addition to a number of other TV shows like "9-1-1" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." His primary focus now is his work as a musician.

Amanda Shepherd as Emily

Amanda Shepherd makes an appearance in "Hocus Pocus" as Emily Binx, Thackery's sister.

Amanda Shepherd Now

Shepherd (left) told Cosmopolitan in 2015 that she gave up acting when she was 23. She became a real estate agent. According to her website , she has since stopped being a realtor to study Reiki healing.

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TV & Film

Hocus Pocus Cast Then And Now: From Sarah Jessica Parker To Omri Katz

29 September 2022, 16:27

Watch Disney’s Hocus Pocus 2 trailer

By Kathryn Knight

Hocus Pocus 2 is now out on Netflix, so we’re taking a look back at the series one cast and what they're up to now.

Hocus Pocus is one of the biggest Halloween movies of a generation, with much-loved actresses including Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson Sisters; Winnie, Sarah and Mary.

The movie has made a comeback for a second instalment, with the original stars returning to the big screen – this time on Disney+.

Hocus Pocus came out way back in 1993, almost 19 years ago! The movie has kept a loyal fan base ever since, and Disney fans can’t wait to see the famous trio back on screen.

Hocus Pocus 2: Release Date & How To Watch Disney Sequel In The UK

The new movie sees three young women accidentally bring the Sanderson Sisters to modern day Salem.

Just Sit Back And Enjoy The 'Hocus Pocus' Trailer From 1993...

With a modern day setting and a brand new cast, the new film will no doubt feel very different from the first, with just a few familiar faces returning.

But what are the original cast members up to now? Let’s take a look…

Sarah Jessica Parker

SJP was around 28 when she first starred as Sarah in Hocus Pocus . Before the movie, she’d starred in films such as Footloose, Girls Just Want to Have Fun , and Honeymoon in Vegas.

Hocus Pocus came five years before she became a household name in series Sex and the City.

Bette Midler

Hollywood legend Bette Midler, now 76, had an array of titles under her belt before starring in Hocus Pocus as Winifred.

These days, she’s also known for The Stepford Wives , Parental Guidance and The Politician.

Kathy Najimy

Kathy was around 36 in the first Hocus Pocus , and starred in equally as loved movie Sister Act the year before, returning for Sister Act 2 the following year.

In recent years you would have spotted her in Single All the Way , The Morning Show and TV show Younger .

Omri Katz then and now

Omri played teenager Max Dennison in the original Hocus Pocus, but he didn’t return for Hocus Pocus 2.

Now, 46, Omri said to Entertainment Weekly via a representative: "People have been asking, and unfortunately, I'm not in it. I would have loved to be involved. I feel bad for the original fan base saying we aren't because I'm sure they wanted to see us reprise our roles."

He went on: “I think it'll be good for everyone who loved the original! I hope fans will go see it. I know I will."

After Hocus Pocus , Omri starred in series The John Larroquette Show and had a few other TV roles.

Thora Birch

Thora played eight-year-old Dani Dennison in the first Hocus Pocus movie, but due to scheduling conflicts she couldn't make the second.

She told ET: "I was just a little dismayed I wasn’t able to make it. I was working on something else when they were filming, otherwise I was definitely going to be there on set with the girls. I can’t wait to see what they do with it. I know they’re taking a completely different, fresh approach, so I’m excited."

Nowadays, Thora is a director as well as an actress and is currently working on The Gabby Petito Story, the true-crime story about the American YouTuber who disappeared during a 'van life' adventure with her fiancé Brian Laundrie in 2021 and was later found dead.

Vinessa Shaw

Vinessa played Allison, Max's girlfriend, in Hocus Pocus but she was unable to return for the second film.

The actress went on to star in The Hills Have Eyes , Eyes Wide Shut and The Weight of War.

She's still friends with much of the cast and crew of Hocus Pocus 1, tagging the crew and co-star Omri in a recent photo after they met fans at film event Horror Hound.

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