What to know about the Sanderson Sisters before watching ‘Hocus Pocus 2’

Twenty-nine years after the Sanderson Sisters first showed up on screen as the baddies we love to hate, the trio make their return this Friday, Sept. 30 on Disney+ with the long-awaited sequel “Hocus Pocus 2.”

Just like in the original film, the Black Flame Candle is lit and the Sanderson Sisters are accindentally brought back. In this latest film, two high-school studetns, one whp is an aspiring witch, conjures up the sisters and and then have a high-school student and aspiring witch who accidentally conjures the Sanderson Sisters before having to defeat them.

The Sanderson sisters, Winifred, Mary and Sarah, were witches in Salem who were hanged on Oct. 31, 1693. The three witches were designed by Academy Award-winning makeup artist Ve Neill and costume designer Mary Vogt.

Who is Winifred Sanderson?

Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson, portrayed by Bette Midler, is the oldest of the three Sanderson Sisters. Her signature magical ability is electrokinesis, but she has extensive knowledge of dark magic thanks to her prized sentient spell book. As the leader of the trio, Winifred is often frustrated by her younger sisters’ incompetence.

Midler said in a 2008 interview that out of all her movie characters, Winifred Sanderson was her favorite. During the filming of the original movie, Midler had two people running around behind her with dictionaries of old curse words.

Before Winifred Sanderson sings, “I Put a Spell on You,” she tells the audience, “Hello, my name’s Winifred. What’s yours?” This is a reference to a famous line from “Gypsy,” which Midler starred in the TV version.

Who is Mary Sanderson?

Mary Sanderson, played by Kathy Najimy, is the middle sister. She has the magical ability to track children with an enhanced sense of smell. She looks up to her elder sister Winifred and constantly seeks her approval.

Najimy decided to add the crooked smile to Mary, thinking it fits the character.

Who is Sarah Sanderson?

Sarah Sanderson, portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, is the youngest of the three Sanderson Sisters. Sarah’s magical gift is a hypnotic siren call, which she uses through her song “Come Little Children”. Her immature, lusty and often air-headed nature exasperates Winifred. “Come Little Children” was originally believed to be a poem written by Edgar Allen Poe. It was actually written by songwriter Brock Walsh.

Sarah Jessica Parker actually sang “Come Little Children”  for the original movie.

What is The Black Flame Candle?

The Black Flame Candle is a dark magical candle made from the fat of a hanged man. If lit by a virgin on Halloween night during a full moon, it would raise the spirits of the dead for as long as the flame burned (which was one night).

Cast of the new film

In addition to Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker reprising their roles, the rest of the cast includes:

Taylor Paige Henderson as young Winifred Sanderson

Nina Kitchen as young Mary Sanderson

Juju Journey Brener as young Sarah Sanderson

Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson, a former lover of Winifred. She poisoned him on May 1, 1693, when she caught him cheating with her sister Sarah. He is raised from the dead as a zombie.

Whitney Peak as Becca, a high-school student and aspiring witch who accidentally conjures the Sanderson Sisters.

Lilia Buckingham as Cassie Traske, a popular classmate and former friend of Becca and Izzy. She is the mayor’s daughter and helps to stop the Sanderson Sisters.

Belissa Escobedo as Izzy, Becca’s quirky best friend. She accidentally conjures the Sanderson Sisters with Becca.

Hannah Waddingham as Mother Witch, a mysterious and sinister witch who gives the young Sanderson Sisters the spellbook.

Tony Hale as Jefry Traske, the Mayor of Salem and father of Cassie.

Sam Richardson as Gilbert. He is the owner of the Olde Salem Magic Shoppe, the former home of the Sanderson Sisters.

Froy Gutierrez portrays Mike, Cassie’s boyfriend. 

“RuPaul’s Drag Racea” stars Ginger Minj, Kornbread Jeté, and Kahmora Hall portray drag queens impersonating Winifred, Mary, and Sarah.

“Hocus Pocus” celebrates its 25th anniversary today.