The Sanderson Sisters And Salem's Kids: Where The Hocus Pocus Cast Is Now In 2025
The enduring magic of Hocus Pocus continues to cast a spell over pop culture, especially as the calendar flips to the end of 2025 and talk of a third film swirls. It’s been decades since the original 1993 classic introduced the world to the wicked Sanderson Sisters and the brave teenagers who defeated them, yet the curiosity about the cast’s lives remains as potent as a youth potion.
As of December 2025, the stars of the franchise are busier than ever, balancing iconic film roles with unexpected new careers, major philanthropic efforts, and high-profile returns to the screen. From Broadway legends to cannabis entrepreneurs, here is a fresh, in-depth look at what the beloved cast of Hocus Pocus is doing now.
The Immortal Sanderson Sisters: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy
The heart of the Hocus Pocus universe lies with the trio of witches, and all three actresses have maintained incredibly high-profile careers in the decades since the original film. Their recent activities in 2025 showcase their diverse talents across film, television, and advocacy.
Bette Midler (Winifred Sanderson)
- Full Name: Bette Davis Midler
- Born: December 1, 1945 (Age 80 as of 2025)
- Current Focus: Philanthropy, Music, and Activism.
- Recent Highlights (2025): Celebrated the 30th Anniversary of her non-profit organization, the New York Restoration Project (NYRP).
- Hocus Pocus 3 Status: Expected to return to reprise her role as the lead witch, Winifred Sanderson.
The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, has spent 2025 focusing heavily on her legacy beyond the stage and screen. Midler celebrated the landmark 30th Anniversary of the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), the non-profit she founded in 1995 to clean and green New York City’s public spaces.
The NYRP's annual Hulaween gala in October 2025 was a major event, honoring the organization's three decades of work in creating and maintaining community gardens and parks. Midler also marked a personal milestone, celebrating her 80th birthday in December 2025. While she is a Tony Award winner for her 2017 run in Hello, Dolly!, she has no concrete plans for a Broadway return, but remains a powerful voice in environmental activism.
Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson)
- Full Name: Sarah Jessica Parker
- Born: March 25, 1965 (Age 60 as of 2025)
- Current Focus: Acting, Producing, Fashion, and Publishing.
- Recent Highlights (2025): Launched a new line of fiction books; executive produced a documentary.
- Hocus Pocus 3 Status: Expected to return as the siren-singing sister, Sarah Sanderson.
Sarah Jessica Parker continues to thrive as a powerhouse in multiple industries. While her work on the Sex and the City sequel series keeps her in the television spotlight, SJP has expanded her creative empire into the literary world. In 2025, she was actively promoting her new line of fiction books, SJP for Hogarth/Zando, which spotlights new and diverse literary voices.
Parker also made a splash in the film world as an executive producer on the documentary The Librarians, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. Demonstrating her fashion icon status, SJP made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, proving she is still a major presence on the red carpet.
Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson)
- Full Name: Kathy Ann Najimy
- Born: February 6, 1957 (Age 68 as of 2025)
- Current Focus: Acting, Voice Work, and Activism.
- Recent Highlights (2025): Active in the development news for Hocus Pocus 3.
- Hocus Pocus 3 Status: Expected to return to complete the trio as the vacuum-riding Mary Sanderson.
Known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing, Kathy Najimy has been a consistent presence in film and television, including her long-running voice role as Peggy Hill in King of the Hill. Najimy’s 2025 news is heavily tied to the future of the Hocus Pocus franchise, with reports confirming she is expected to join Midler and Parker for the third installment. She also shared a sweet social media post in February 2025, celebrating her birthday-eve dinner with Bette Midler, highlighting the enduring friendship of the three "sisters."
The Salem Kids: Max, Dani, and Allison’s Surprising New Paths
The young stars who helped defeat the Sanderson Sisters have all taken vastly different career paths since their time in Salem, with some leaving Hollywood entirely for unexpected ventures.
Omri Katz (Max Dennison)
- Full Name: Omri Haim Katz
- Born: May 30, 1976 (Age 49 as of 2025)
- Role: Sarcastic teenager and Max Dennison.
- Current Career: Cannabis entrepreneur.
Omri Katz, who played the skeptical, candle-lighting teenager Max Dennison, officially retired from acting in 2022. His life now is far removed from Hollywood sets. Katz is reportedly at the helm of a craft cannabis cultivation and wellness company called The Mary Danksters, a business he has been involved with since 2022. This surprising career pivot has been a major talking point for fans, and he has occasionally discussed his past acting career, including admitting he was "stoned" during the filming of the original Hocus Pocus.
Thora Birch (Dani Dennison)
- Full Name: Thora Birch
- Born: March 11, 1982 (Age 43 as of 2025)
- Role: Max’s younger sister, Dani Dennison.
- Current Focus: Independent film and directing.
Thora Birch, who charmed audiences as the fiercely protective little sister Dani Dennison, has maintained a steady career in independent films and television. In 2025, Birch made several rare and significant public appearances, attending the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May and the AFI FEST in October for special screenings. Birch has also been involved in directing and producing projects, cementing her status as a respected figure in the independent film circuit. She is still closely connected to the Hocus Pocus legacy, with plans to attend a 90s Con reunion in 2026.
Vinessa Shaw (Allison Watts)
- Full Name: Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw
- Born: July 19, 1976 (Age 49 as of 2025)
- Role: Max’s love interest and Salem history expert, Allison Watts.
- Current Focus: Film acting.
Vinessa Shaw, who played the resourceful Allison, has continued her acting career with roles in both major studio and independent films. Her recent filmography includes the 2021 horror film We Need to Do Something and the sports drama 12 Mighty Orphans. Most notably, Shaw has an upcoming project titled The Wilderness, which is slated for release in 2025. Her commitment to acting keeps her one of the most active performers from the original child cast.
The Undead and The Future: Billy Butcherson and Hocus Pocus 3
No discussion of the cast is complete without the lovable zombie, and the biggest question for fans remains the future of the franchise.
Doug Jones (Billy Butcherson)
- Full Name: Doug Jones
- Born: May 24, 1960 (Age 65 as of 2025)
- Role: Winifred’s undead ex-lover, Billy Butcherson.
- Current Focus: Creature acting in sci-fi and horror television.
Doug Jones, the master of physical acting who brought the silent, moth-spewing zombie Billy Butcherson to life, has arguably one of the most prolific and distinctive careers in Hollywood. Jones is best known in recent years for his work as Commander Saru in the acclaimed series Star Trek: Discovery, a role he played from 2017 to 2024. He remains a fixture at fan conventions, appearing at Terrificon 2025 to discuss his career. Jones is also known for his recurring role in the FX comedy series What We Do in the Shadows and has expressed interest in reprising the Saru role in the potential *Starfleet Academy* series.
The Status of Hocus Pocus 3
The biggest news for fans is the official confirmation that Hocus Pocus 3 is in development at Disney. While production was announced in June, as of late 2025, the film is officially "greenlit" but still in the early stages of development, with no official release date yet confirmed. The key takeaway is that the third installment is expected to bring back the original and iconic trio—Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy—as the Sanderson Sisters once again. This news ensures that the franchise's legacy will continue to grow, promising a new chapter for the beloved witches and their magical world.
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