You might remember her as the clever little girl who faced off against the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus, but Thora Birch just reminded the world that she’s all grown up—and she’s still got it.
After spending some time away from the spotlight, the former ’90s child star made a stunning return this week at the Cannes Film Festival, nearly 32 years after charming audiences as eight-year-old Dani Dennison.
Now 43, Birch hit the red carpet in a sleek black tuxedo accented with elegant pearl drops, a far cry from her days navigating Halloween hijinks in Salem.
Her polished look and confident presence made it clear: Thora Birch is not just back—she’s thriving.
A Career That’s Always Been Worth Watching
While Hocus Pocus might be her most iconic childhood role, Birch’s résumé has long been stacked with impressive performances.
From intense thrillers like Patriot Games, to coming-of-age classics like Now and Then opposite Demi Moore, and the Oscar-winning American Beauty, her early career proved she was more than just a one-hit wonder.
She also earned critical praise—and a Golden Globe nomination—for her role in Ghost World, sharing the screen with Scarlett Johansson.
For many fans, that film cemented her status as one of the most compelling young actresses of her generation.
A Glamorous Return at Cannes
This week, Birch turned heads at Cannes, walking the red carpet alongside Kristen Stewart.
Stewart isn’t just a fellow actress this time—she’s directing The Chronology of Water, an indie film based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir.
Birch stars in the film alongside Imogen Poots, musician Kim Gordon, Stewart’s wife Dylan Meyer, and veteran actors Jim Belushi and Earl Cave.
Seeing Birch shoulder-to-shoulder with this new generation of talent was more than nostalgic—it was a celebration of her staying power and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry.
The Role That Almost Was
Back in the early ’90s, Birch came very close to landing another major supernatural role.
She was seriously considered for the part of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire, a part that ultimately went to Kirsten Dunst.
Looking back, she told People that she simply wasn’t ready for the emotional complexity of the role at just 12 years old.
“I didn’t have the personal reference for those deeper, more adult emotions,” she shared.
“There were aspects of that character that felt a little too mature for me.”
Still, she looks back on the film fondly and even appeared in AMC’s Mayfair Witches, marking her first official step into Anne Rice’s spooky universe.
Hocus Pocus and Lasting Pop Culture Impact
Though she wasn’t able to return for 2022’s Hocus Pocus 2 due to scheduling conflicts, Birch continues to embrace the legacy of her early roles.
Films like All I Want for Christmas, Now and Then, and Ghost World have become nostalgic favorites for millennials, and she recognizes just how much that shared cultural experience shaped her career.
“Back then, we were all watching the same few things,” she told People.
“So there was a real sense of connection and a shared pop culture identity.”
Growing Up in Front of the Camera
Birch also spoke candidly about what it was like growing up on screen. For her, acting and personal development went hand in hand. “There’s a mirroring that happens when you start so young,” she explained. “All those moments in my career were also things I was living through in real life. I really did grow up in front of the camera.”
Taking Back the Spotlight
These days, Birch is navigating Hollywood on her own terms.
She’s experimenting with directing, taking on character roles, and embracing independent projects that speak to her creatively.
Though she spent several years mostly out of the public eye, her recent red carpet appearance shows she’s ready to engage with the industry again—on her own terms.
At Cannes, it wasn’t just a nostalgic throwback for fans. It was a powerful statement: Thora Birch is still here, and she still belongs in the spotlight.