Stars of cult Halloween hit ‘Hocus Pocus’ visit Des Moines

Halloween has come early for some central Iowans as people turned out in full costume for Nightmare Weekend in downtown Des Moines. The conference also drew stars from some of America's favorite seasonal movies.

"Sometimes it is like a high school reunion when we come to these things," actress Vinessa Shaw told WHO-13.

Shaw was among the notable names at the Galaxycon-hosted event in Hyvee Hall. Although she has appeared in a long list of Hollywood flicks, she is best known to some for her role as Allison Watts in Disney's 1993 cult classic 'Hocus Pocus.'

Shaw's attendance at the convention marked her first trip to Iowa.

"I've never been to Iowa," she told WHO-13. "I love it. The downtown is so beautiful, so historic. The courthouse, the churches that I saw are just... the capitol... so beautiful."

Fans lined up to meet her for photos and autographs on Saturday afternoon. Her booth was set up next to her former co-star and real-life friend Omri Katz, who played Max Dennison in the movie. On-screen, the pair famously played love interests who fought off Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, collectively known as the Sanderson Sisters.

"It's been wild," said Katz, of the resurgence in popularity the movie has seen in recent years after it was initially panned by critics following its release.

"I had to go out and get a real job," he said. "This is the first time we have, like, eight weekends in a row booked for these things."

The movie has become a Fall staple for thousands of Americans, with a sequel (Hocus Pocus 2) that was released in 2022, roughly 30 years after the original.

"Omri, Thora (Birch) and I were completely heartbroken when the movie came out and it was a bomb," remembered Shaw.

Shaw pointed to the timing of the release of the first movie as to why it may not have been a box office hit- initially.

"First of all," she said. "It came out in July. There's no Halloween movie that's released in July."

Three decades later the reception from the public has changed dramatically. Hocus Pocus is a mutch-watch every year for most millennials, social media memes abound and merchandise comes in all shapes, sizes, and fits.

"The cream rises to the top," she said.