You know that feeling when you're watching a movie from your childhood and realize one specific performance is carrying the entire thing on its back? That's Sarah Jessica Parker in Hocus Pocus. Honestly, it’s wild to think about now. Before she was Carrie Bradshaw, before she was a fashion icon walking the streets of Manhattan, she was a ditzy, hop-skipping, "amok"-shouting witch.
It’s been decades since the 1993 release. People still dress up as her every Halloween. Why? Because Sarah Sanderson wasn't just a sidekick. She was a vibe.
The Sarah Jessica Parker Hocus Pocus Connection Nobody Expected
Back in the early 90s, SJP wasn't the household name she is today. She’d done Footloose and L.A. Story, but she wasn't "The" Sarah Jessica Parker yet. When Disney cast her as the youngest Sanderson sister, they probably didn't realize she’d end up being the secret weapon of the film. While Bette Midler brought the theater-kid energy and Kathy Najimy brought the physical comedy, Parker brought something... weirdly hypnotic.
She played a siren. Literally.
Her character is basically a golden retriever with a dark side. She’s obsessed with boys, she’s constantly sniffing things, and she has that iconic, breathy voice. But here’s the kicker: Parker actually did her own singing for "Come Little Children." That wasn't a studio singer. That was her. It’s haunting. It’s the kind of scene that stuck in kids' brains for thirty years because it felt genuinely creepy despite the Disney polish.
Why Sarah Sanderson Outshines the Typical Villain
Most villains in kids' movies are either scary or stupid. Sarah Sanderson was neither, or maybe a bit of both? She was chaotic. Think about the scene where she’s playing with the "burning rain of death" (which was just a sprinkler system). She’s genuinely delighted by it.
Parker’s physicality in the role is something most people overlook. She’s never just standing there. She’s constantly bouncing, twirling her hair, or leaning into the frame in a way that feels animalistic. It’s a masterclass in character acting that often gets dismissed because it’s a "silly" Halloween movie. If you watch her closely, she’s doing the most work in every wide shot.
There’s also a strange bit of family history here. During an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, Parker actually discovered that one of her ancestors, Esther Elwell, was accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. Life imitating art, right? She didn't know that while filming the original, but it adds this weird layer of "meant-to-be" to the whole thing.
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The Shift From 1993 to Hocus Pocus 2
When they announced the sequel for Disney+, everyone was worried. Could they capture that lightning again? Seeing Sarah Jessica Parker back in that corset and blonde wig was a trip.
In the sequel, the dynamic shifted slightly. You could tell Parker was having a blast leaning back into the "Sarah-isms." The "Amok, amok, amok!" line made a comeback, obviously. But what was interesting was seeing how her stardom influenced the performance. In 1993, she was an up-and-comer. In 2022, she was a legend returning to her roots.
The chemistry between the three leads is the only reason the sequel worked. You can’t fake that. They genuinely like each other. Bette Midler has gone on record saying that the three of them are like a "brotherhood," which is a funny way to describe a trio of sisters, but it fits. They protect the characters. Parker, specifically, kept that wide-eyed, slightly vacant stare that made Sarah Sanderson so endearing the first time around.
The Impact on Pop Culture and Halloween
Go to any Spirit Halloween. Look at the costumes. You’ll see Winifred, Mary, and Sarah. But the Sarah costume is always the one that sells out first for the "cool" demographic.
It’s the hair. The velvet. The attitude.
Sarah Jessica Parker created a blueprint for the "lovable airhead villain" that hasn't really been topped. She wasn't just a caricature; she was a specific type of person we all kind of know—someone who is totally disconnected from reality but having a great time anyway.
The song "Come Little Children" has been covered by countless YouTubers and musicians. It’s become a staple of the "spooky season" playlist. And while the lyrics are actually pretty dark (she's literally luring children to their doom so her sisters can eat them), Parker’s delivery makes it sound like a lullaby. That’s the brilliance of it. It’s the contrast between the beauty and the horror.
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What Most People Miss About Her Performance
If you re-watch the original Hocus Pocus today, look at Sarah in the background of the scenes where Winifred is talking. She’s usually doing something bizarre. Eating a spider. Petting a piece of furniture. Making eyes at a bus driver.
Parker wasn't just waiting for her lines. She was living in that world. It’s the kind of detail that makes a movie re-watchable. You see something new every time.
She also handled the "sexy" aspect of the character in a way that was appropriate for a Disney movie but still felt authentic to a character who was obsessed with men. It was flirty, not raunchy. It’s a tough line to walk, and she nailed it.
The Reality of the "Come Little Children" Scene
Let’s talk about that scene for a second. It’s the emotional peak of the movie's threat. Up until that point, the witches are kind of a joke. They’re getting outsmarted by teenagers and a cat.
Then Sarah flies over Salem.
The music changes. The tone shifts. For about two minutes, Hocus Pocus stops being a comedy and starts being a fairy tale. Parker’s voice is soft, almost a whisper, but it carries over the whole town. It’s the one moment where you realize, "Oh, these women are actually dangerous."
That’s the power of her performance. She provides the atmosphere. Midler provides the plot. Najimy provides the laughs. Parker provides the feeling.
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Where Does SJP Go From Here?
People keep asking about a Hocus Pocus 3. Is it happening? Maybe. Disney likes money, and the second one was a massive hit for their streaming platform.
But even if it never happens, Sarah Jessica Parker’s legacy in the franchise is set in stone. She proved that she could be more than just a leading lady in a romantic comedy. She could be a creature. She could be a monster. She could be a singer.
It’s easy to forget, because she’s so synonymous with fashion and high-end New York living, that she started out as a theater kid who wasn't afraid to look ridiculous. Sarah Sanderson is proof of that.
Putting the "Sarah" Magic Into Practice
If you're a fan trying to channel that energy, or maybe you're just curious why this specific role remains her most talked-about outside of Sex and the City, here’s the breakdown of what made it work:
- Physicality is key. Don't just stand there; react to the world around you with your whole body. Parker was never "off" camera.
- Contrast works. Playing a villain who is bubbly and happy is way more interesting than playing one who is just mean.
- Voice matters. The breathy, high-pitched tone she used wasn't her natural voice, but it defined the character.
- Commit to the bit. Even when the script was campy, she played it with 100% sincerity.
If you're planning a Hocus Pocus marathon, pay attention to the scenes where the sisters are in the "Master's" house (the guy in the devil costume). Parker’s reaction to the "little woman" (the wife in hair curlers) is comedy gold. It’s subtle, it’s fast, and it’s perfect.
To really appreciate the depth of what Sarah Jessica Parker brought to the screen, you have to look past the makeup and the broomsticks. You have to look at the actress who took a role that could have been a footnote and turned it into an icon. That's the real magic.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Creators:
- Watch the original film with the commentary track. It’s one of the few ways to hear the behind-the-scenes stories about how they developed the sisters' unique movements.
- Study the "Come Little Children" melody. If you're a vocalist, it’s a fantastic exercise in breath control and "airy" singing styles.
- Visit Salem, Massachusetts. If you really want the full experience, go to the Pioneer Village. It’s where they filmed the opening scenes. You can stand right where the Sanderson house was (it was a set, but the location is real).
- Analyze the costume design. Look at how Sarah's costume uses different textures—velvet, lace, silk—to reflect her multi-faceted personality. It's a great study for aspiring designers.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s turn as Sarah Sanderson remains a high-water mark for character acting in family films. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s why we’re still talking about it thirty years later.