Hocus Pocus: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, and Relationships

Hocus Pocus (1993) is an American fantasy comedy-horror film directed by Kenny Ortega and written by Mick Garris and Neil Cuthbert, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and David Kirschner Productions, and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures.

Loosely inspired by the Salem witch trials, it follows Max Dennison, a teen who accidentally resurrects three 17th-century Sanderson sisters—Winifred, Sarah, and Mary—on Halloween night in modern Salem, Massachusetts.

Filmed in Salem and other Massachusetts locations (e.g., Old Salem Village) from March to June 1993 on a $28 million budget, it premiered July 16, 1993, in the U.S. It grossed $51.1 million worldwide ($44.1 million domestic, $7 million international), a modest performer overshadowed by summer blockbusters like Jurassic Park.

Home video and TV airings turned it into a cult classic, with Disney+ streams exceeding 100 million views annually by 2025. A sequel, Hocus Pocus 2 (2022, Disney+), grossed no theatrical but amassed 2.7 billion minutes viewed in its first week.

The soundtrack, featuring Bette Midler’s “I Put a Spell on You,” charted Top 40. It holds a 38% critic score and 62% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, plus a 6.9/10 on IMDb (from 130,000+ ratings), dinged for uneven tone but beloved for campy charm, Midler’s villainy, and holiday nostalgia—boosting Salem tourism 20%+ yearly.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Bette Midler as Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson

• Role: Winifred, the domineering eldest witch and ringleader, whose spellbook obsession and sassy spells drive the chaos; her Broadway belting and sibling rivalry shine in musical showdowns. Midler’s “diva diva” turn, channeling campy menace, is the film’s electrifying villain; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $250 million.
• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m).
• Family: Born December 1, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to seamstress Ruth Schindel (Romanian-Jewish) and housepainter Fred Midler (Polish-Jewish). Only child. Attended Radford High School; University of Hawaii (dropped out for acting).
• Relationships: Married artist Martin von Haselberg (since December 16, 1984; met in 1982). Daughter: Sophie Frederica Alohilani von Haselberg (b. November 12, 1986, actress). Previously dated Barry Manilow (1970s).
• Post-Film: Starred in The First Wives Club (1996), The Stepford Wives (2004); reprised Winnie in Hocus Pocus 2 (2022). Recent: The Politician (2019–2020, Emmy nom); The Addams Family 2 (2021, voice); Better Nate Than Ever (2022 Disney+).

Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson

• Role: Sarah, the ditzy, seductive middle witch with a siren song that lures children, whose bubbly idiocy contrasts her deadly glee. Parker’s “goofy enchantress” delivers quotable chaos; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $200 million (combined with husband).
• Height: 5’3″ (1.60 m).
• Family: Born March 25, 1965, in Nelsonville, Ohio, to homemaker Barbara Parker (English/Scottish) and entrepreneur Stephen Parker (German/Jewish). Seventh of eight siblings (four sisters, three brothers). Attended Dwight-Englewood School; Broadway debut at 11 in The Innocents (1976).
• Relationships: Married actor Matthew Broderick (since May 19, 1997; met 1992 via How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying). Children: son James Wilkie (b. October 28, 2002), twin daughters Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge (b. June 22, 2009, via surrogate). Previously dated Robert Downey Jr. (1984–1991).
• Post-Film: Iconic as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City (1998–2004, two Emmys); reprised Sarah in Hocus Pocus 2 (2022). Recent: And Just Like That… S3 (2025 HBO Max); The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling (2023 doc producer); SJP Collection shoes (2014–present).

Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson

• Role: Mary, the loyal, dim-witted youngest witch and Winifred’s sniveling sidekick, whose “sisterly” devotion and slapstick falls add comic fodder. Najimy’s “bumbling minion” amps the trio’s hilarity; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $8 million.
• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m).
• Family: Born February 6, 1957, in San Diego, California, to Lebanese-American parents: homemaker Samia Massery and postal worker Fred Najimy. Only child. Attended Crawford High School; University of San Diego (theater).
• Relationships: Married actor/singer Dan Finnerty (since August 3, 1999; met at improv class). Daughter: Samia Najimy Finnerty (b. September 2004).
• Post-Film: Starred in Sister Act (1992) and sequel (1993); voiced Peggy Hill in King of the Hill (1997–2010). Recent: Reprised Mary in Hocus Pocus 2 (2022); Veep (2012–2019, recurring); Accidental Icon (2024 doc producer).

Omri Katz as Max Dennison

• Role: Max, the skeptical 16-year-old new to Salem who lights the Black Flame Candle, resurrecting the witches and leading the fightback with quips and bravery. Katz’s “reluctant hero” captures teen angst; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $1 million.
• Height: 5’10” (1.78 m).
• Family: Born May 30, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, to Israeli immigrants Yoram Katz (businessman) and Rina Katz (homemaker). Siblings: older brother Michael, older sister Lali. Lived in Israel for a year as a child.
• Relationships: Private; single as of 2025, no public relationships reported.
• Post-Film: Played John Ross Ewing III in Dallas (1983–1991, Soap Opera Digest Award); Matinee (1993). Recent: Operates cannabis company (2022–present); Top Gun: Maverick stunt double (2022); limited acting, focuses on production.

Thora Birch as Dani Dennison

• Role: Dani, Max’s feisty 8-year-old sister whose sass and vulnerability fuel the siblings’ bond amid witch hunts. Birch’s “plucky kid” debut sparkled; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $6 million.
• Height: 5’3″ (1.60 m).
• Family: Born March 11, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, to adult film actors Jack Birch and Carol Connors (who transitioned to mainstream). Siblings: younger brother Bolt Birch. Homeschooled; child actor from age 4.
• Relationships: Private; single as of 2025, no public marriages or children.
• Post-Film: Breakthrough in American Beauty (1999, BAFTA nom); Ghost World (2001). Recent: Winter of Frozen Dreams (2008); Pet Sematary (2019, cameo); The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019); directing shorts (2024).

Vinessa Shaw as Allison

• Role: Allison, Max’s smart, witch-savvy crush from a Wiccan family, aiding the quest with lore and bravery. Shaw’s “cool girl-next-door” added teen spark; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $1 million.
• Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m).
• Family: Born July 19, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, to psychologist Larry Shaw and actress Susan Damante Shaw (Italian-American). Only child; Nichiren Buddhist upbringing. Attended Barnard College briefly.
• Relationships: Separated from husband Kristopher Gifford (married November 30, 2007; separated October 25, 2023; divorce filed May 2025). Son: Jack (b. February 2018).
• Post-Film: Starred in Eyes Wide Shut (1999); 3:10 to Yuma (2007). Recent: We Need to Do Something (2021); 12 Mighty Orphans (2021); The Blazing World (2021).

Jason Marsden as Thackery Binx (Voice)

• Role: Binx, the cursed teen immortalized as a black cat for failing to save his sister from witches; his narration and guidance aid the kids (human form played by Sean Murray). Marsden’s “haunted helper” voiced the feline hero; recurring.
• Net Worth: $700,000.
• Height: 5’4″ (1.63 m).
• Family: Born January 3, 1975, in Providence, Rhode Island, to danseur Myles Marsden (Yugoslav National Ballet founder) and model Linda Marsden. Sibling: undisclosed. Moved to California at 10.
• Relationships: Private; single as of 2025, no public relationships.
• Post-Film: Voiced Kovu in The Lion King II (1998); Max Goof in A Goofy Movie (1995). Recent: Encanto (2021, voice); The Goldbergs (2014–2023); music as Sadworldbeats (2023–present).

Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson (Zombie)

• Role: Billy, the resurrected zombie ex-boyfriend of Winifred, shambling through chases with undead humor. Jones’s “silent ghoul” showcased early creature work; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $5 million.
• Height: 6’3½” (1.92 m).
• Family: Born May 24, 1960, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to homemaker Gloria Jones and WWII vet Gordon Jones. Youngest of four brothers. Attended Bishop Chatard High School; Ball State University (telecommunications BA, 1982).
• Relationships: Married Laurie Jones (since April 14, 1984). No children.
• Post-Film: Abe Sapien in Hellboy (2004, 2008); Amphibian Man in The Shape of Water (2017, Oscar win for film). Recent: Saru in Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024); Hocus Pocus 2 (2022, Billy reprise); Wednesday (2024 Netflix).

Charles Rocket as Jay

• Role: Jay, one of two bumbling 20th-century bullies terrorizing Max and Dani before becoming witch fodder. Rocket’s “goofy thug” added ’90s menace; ~10-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $1 million (at death).
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
• Family: Born August 28, 1949, in Bangor, Maine, as Charles Adams Claverie, to Mary Aurelia Claverie and Sumner Abbott Claverie. No siblings reported. Attended local schools.
• Relationships: Married Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Crellin (1972–2005, his death). Son: Zane Claverie.
• Post-Film: SNL cast (1980–1981); Dumb and Dumber (1994, Nicholas Andre). Recent: Max Headroom (1987); died October 7, 2005 (suicide, age 56).

Additional Notes

• Salaries: Midler commanded $3–5 million (star draw); Parker/Najimy ~$1–2 million; child actors (Katz/Birch/Shaw) ~100,000 – $500,000. The $28 million budget covered Salem shoots, practical effects (zombie makeup), and musical numbers. Home video ($40M+ DVD/Blu-ray) and Hocus Pocus 2 (2022, $80M production) residuals add $1M+ yearly for leads.
• Casting Insights: Ortega sought campy contrasts; Midler (47) won Winifred after Beaches success, beating Cloris Leachman. Parker (28) aced Sarah’s ditz via improv; Najimy (36) nailed Mary’s loyalty post-Sister Act. Katz (17) edged Leonardo DiCaprio for Max; Birch (11) brought Paradise precocity for Dani. Shaw (16) added smarts; Marsden (18) dubbed Binx’s voice over Sean Murray. Jones (32) debuted creature skills. Workshops included witch cackles and teen slang for chemistry.
• Impact and Legacy: A summer flop, it exploded via Freeform marathons (1990s–2010s), spiking Halloween views 300%+ and inspiring Hocus Pocus 2 (2.7B minutes streamed week 1). Fans on Reddit/X hail Sanderson chemistry but critique kid peril; 38% RT reflects uneven release but 62% audience loves nostalgia. Boosted Salem tourism ($50M+ annually); influenced The Craft (1996). Disney+ streams 100M+ hours yearly; 2025 30th anniversary (TCM Fest reunion) trended.
• Post-Film Careers: Midler/Parker/Najimy dominate revivals; Katz cannabis pivots; Birch/Shaw indies; Jones creatures. Marsden voices. Rocket’s passing (2005) honored in tributes; bonds via 2022 sequel (Midler/Parker/Najimy/Marsden/Jones).
• Cultural Influence: Revived witch tropes post-The Craft, with “I Put a Spell on You” TikToks (1B+ views) and Sanderson cosplay staple. Diversity (Najimy’s Lebanese rep) noted, though X critiques ’90s stereotypes. Black Flame merch trends; 2025 sequel teases (Hocus Pocus 3) fuel frenzy.

Conclusion

Hocus Pocus’s cackling coven, led by Midler’s tyrannical Winnie and Parker’s giddy Sarah, brewed a box-office brew into a Halloween hex of enduring enchantment. Net worths from $700,000 (Marsden) to $250 million (Midler) chart spells from Salem sets to streaming sorcery.

Personal potions—from Kunis’s immigrant grit to Jones’s mime magic—bubble with the film’s sibling brew. Its marathon mania, sequel summons, and cosplay cauldron cement it as Disney’s witchy wonder, where every “double, double” doubles the delight.