On October 31, 1693, in Salem, Massachusetts, Thackery Binx discovers that his younger sister Emily has been kidnapped by the three witches Winifred, Mary and Sarah Sanderson. Binx confronts the Sanderson sisters at their cottage, but not in time to save Emily, whose life force they have drained to keep themselves young. The witches punish Binx for interfering by turning him into an immortal black cat, so he must live forever with his guilt. Binx’s friend Elijah rallies the townsfolk to arrest the Sandersons; they are condemned to death, but Winifred casts a curse during the hanging, claiming that a virgin will light the Black-Flame Candle in the cottage on a day when the full moon and All Hallows’ Eve coincide, resurrecting the sisters.