The Hocus Pocus Star You Likely Didn't Know Voiced A Character On The Addams Family
While some may prefer "Halloween" or "The Shining" to satisfy their creepy movie cravings for the Halloween season, others might be partial to more fun and less fright. For the latter group, Disney's 1993 cult classic, "Hocus Pocus," is often the movie of choice. The film follows a teen boy (Omri Katz) who reawakens three Salem witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) executed in the 17th century.
"Hocus Pocus" was released to underwhelming box office numbers, making only $39 million on a budget of $28 million (via Variety). Similarly, the film was not always a critical hit, earning a mere C- from Entertainment Weekly upon its original release. However, in recent years, the fun fantasy film has gained new legions of followers, largely thanks to its constant re-airings during the Halloween season on FreeForm and the Disney Channel, even bringing in record numbers to the channels (via Broadway World).
Disney picked up on the film's regained popularity, as September 30, 2022, will see the release of "Hocus Pocus 2" on Disney+. Announced in 2019 and helmed by "27 Dresses" director Anne Fletcher, the follow-up will see the return of the Sanderson sisters as they run amok once again in modern-day Salem. With the comeback of "Hocus Pocus" right around the corner, it's interesting to note that one of its main stars has starred in another beloved spooky season franchise, "The Addams Family."
Bette Midler is Grandmama in the animated Addams Family movies
Bette Midler, who is best known as lead witch Winifred "Winnie" Sanderson in Disney's "Hocus Pocus," was the voice of Grandmama in the 2019 computer-animated film, "The Addams Family." Based on the family of macabre characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams, the film sees the family clash with daughter Wednesday Addams (Chloë Grace Moretz) as she begins to befriend the daughter of a reality TV show host.
Midler's Grandmama comes onto the scene in the film to assist her son, Gomez (Oscar Isaac), in preparing for an important coming-of-age party for her grandson and Gomez's son, Pugsley (Finn Wolfhard). Also starring the likes of Charlize Theron, Nick Kroll, and Snopp Dogg, the 2019 film became a surprise box office hit, grossing over $200 million (via Box Office Mojo). After the success of the first film, Midler reprised her role for the film's 2021 sequel, "The Addams Family 2," where Grandmama throws a party at the house while the rest of the family is out on vacation.
Hearing Midler in this is incredible because her voice is practically unrecognizable — perfectly ghoulish and over-the-top in her delivery, she fits the creepy and kooky world of the Addams Family. It feels full circle for Midler to finally see a sequel to her own original Halloween offering. As the actress never believed there would be any follow-up to "Hocus Pocus" (via Celebrity Page), her comeback is sure to be a special treat.