Though 'Hocus Pocus' came out in 1993, it's basically a cult classic today. With Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, the film was destined to be a hit. Still, the younger cast members helped round out the storyline and make the movie into a true hit.
One of the youngest members of the film was the girl who played Dani Dennison, an eight-year-old who was a massive fan of Halloween. But who was Dani, and where is the actress today?
Thora Birch Played Dani Dennison In 'Hocus Pocus'
Who is the little girl that plays Dani in 'Hocus Pocus'? It's none other than indie star Thora Birch. She's not well-known in Hollywood for headlining blockbuster films, but she is known for a diverse and quite illustrious career that began all the way back in the '80s.
'Hocus Pocus' wasn't even Birch's first acting gig (though that much was probably obvious to those who rewatched as adults). But the gig did set off some opportunities for young Thora.
How Old Is Dani In 'Hocus Pocus'?
The character Dani was meant to be eight years old in 'Hocus Pocus.' But in 1993, Thora Birch was actually eleven. Thora got her start in a Quaker Oats commercial at the age of four, so by the time she was 11, the young actress was quite experienced already.
She played Dani excellently, and although the movie didn't blow up at the box office, it later earned a cult following that continues to this day. At the same time, the movie cemented Birch's career as a precocious child star; even her film flop following 'Hocus Pocus' earned her rave reviews. The movie itself wasn't a hit, but that didn't really matter.
What Is Thora Birch Doing Now?
As Thora got older, she kept appearing in family-friendly films, but her teen years offered some unique opportunities. She then appeared in a slasher film in her mid-20s and even worked with Keira Knightley in 2001.
Plus, she just came off a nine-episode run on 'The Walking Dead' in 2020; she played Gamma/Mary. And before that, she had a string of films that again, weren't blockbusters, but earned her plenty of accolades for her contributions.
Thora also has a new film coming up in 2021; '13 Minutes.' But the big question on most fans' minds is this: will Thora Birch be in the rumored-to-be-upcoming sequel of 'Hocus Pocus'?
Will Thora Birch Be In 'Hocus Pocus 2'?
News reports have just confirmed that there will be a sequel to 'Hocus Pocus.' Fans everywhere are freaking out (and harassing Thora Birch on Twitter!) over the reprisal of some of their favorite witchy characters ever.
But who all will join the cast, and where the heck can we watch? Sources say the sequel will be a live-action comedy coming to Disney+ in 2022. As for whether Birch will appear in it, fans speculate that her tweet and accompanying GIF confirm that Dani will be making a comeback. We can't wait!