The Sanderson Sisters are back in Salem this Halloween in theDisney+original movieHocus Pocus 2.Taking place exactly 29 years after the original film, aslew of new, loveable characterslight the black flame candle and inadvertently invite the witches back.
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But what do these new characters mean for the past ones? A handful of original portrayers have whacked out the broomsticks for old time’s sake, while many beloved characters from 1993’sHocus Pocuswere missing from Salem this Halloween.
Returned: Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler)
Bette Midleris always a force to be reckoned with, but it takes on a whole new meaning when she’s all dolled up as the head witch herself, Winifred Sanderson. Midler led the pack in the first film, performingthe film’s famous musical number"I Put A Spell On You."
Midler returned to reprise her wickedly famous role in the sequel, and leads all-new performances of a cover of “One Way Or Another” and a brand new John Debney original, “The Witches Are Back.”
Didn’t Return: Thackery Binx (Sean Murray)
Thackery Binx is a young boy who witnesses the dark magic of the Sanderson Sisters and is cursed to spend eternity as a black cat. But before he transforms into everyone’s favorite spooky time kitty, the human version is portrayed bySean Murray.
Murray did not return toHocus Pocus 2,nor was there any mention of Thackery or his little sister Emily, aside from some 1993 flashback footage of the Sanderson Sisters attacking Emily, featuring Emily’s portrayerAmanda Shepherd.
Returned: Sarah Sanderson (Sarah Jessica Parker)
Sarah Jessica Parkertook on the role of the simpleminded sister Sarah in the original film, known for her long, blonde hair and purple cloak. This character became beloved by generations, best remembered for her signature quote: “Amok! Amok! Amok!”
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Parker brought the ditz and the glamour back forHocus Pocus 2where her character even got a chance to utter her memorable phrase in a nostalgic, little Easter egg.
Didn’t Return: Max Dennison (Omri Katz)
Aside from the three notable witches, it wasOmri Katzwho starred in the original film as Max Dennison, the new kid in Salem who learns of the Salem Witch Trials and accidentally summons the Sanderson Sisters back on Halloween night after 300 years.
Max may not appear in the sequel, but Katz seems to still hold the role dear withan upcoming appearancein the Witch City of Salem, MA in October 2022 in celebration of the witches being back on everyone’s screens.
Returned: Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy)
Kathy Najimy’scareer spans fromSister ActtoWALL-Etoa guest appearanceonSuite Like of Zack and Cody.But no role she ever has or ever will play will be as memorable as the hilarious Mary Sanderson.
Najimy returns as Mary right along with Sarah and Winifred inHocus Pocus 2,even remaining true to her character and flying a vacuum instead of a broom, despite how high-tech the Roombas are compared to her original vintage Hoover.
Didn’t Return: Dani Dennison (Thora Birch)
Aside from portraying the loveable Dani Dennison inHocus Pocus,Thora Birchhas been no stranger to spooky, with roles in other works likeThe Walking Dead,The Hole,and her film debut inPurple People Eaterin 1988.
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WhileHocus Pocus 2is without Dani, Birch explained toET Canadathat while they planned on bringing the character back, when the time came the actress was already involved with another project, presumably her directorial debut withLifetime’sThe Gabby Petito Story.
Returned: Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones)
Despite being dead and without a voice for most of the film, back-from-the-dead Billy Butcherson is a fan favorite fromHocus Pocus,and so is his portrayer,Doug Jones.
Fans had to sew their lips to keep from screaming in excitement when the news broke that Jones would be reprising his character Billy for the sequel, this time with much more dialogue.
Didn’t Return: Allison Watts (Vinessa Shaw)
WhileVinessa Shaw’scareer juggles horror, comedy, drama and thriller, she’ll always be remembered for her breakout role as Max Dennison’s love interest Allison Watts inHocus Pocus.
Shaw did not return for the sequel, but her character’s legacy lives on. When the Sanderson Sisters creep up to Becca and Izzy in Walgreens, it’s a circle of salt that stops them, just like Allison figured out in the first film.
Returned: A Binx-Like Black Cat
Something about witches and black cats just goes so well together. Unless you’re the Sanderson Sisters and Binx, of course. But that didn’t stopHocus Pocus 2from keeping the spooky essence of Halloween.
It may not have been Binx, but a black cat with green eyes does show up in the film, this time named Cobweb and owned by magician Gilbert. Cobweb not only watches everything play out with the Sanderson Sisters, but appears in a post-credits scene to let fans know that the witches may just be back again someday.
Didn’t Return: The Voice Of Binx (Jason Marsden)
While Thackery Binx as a human was played by Sean Murray, it was notable voice actorJason Marsdenwho took on the voice of Binx as a cat inHocus Pocus.
AsCollider reported in June,Marsden did not return to voice the talking cat. But if that post-credits cat scene is any indication of another haunted night in Salem coming, then it’s possible Marsden or any of his former cast mates could make a wicked return to the franchise.
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