It has been nearly two decades since the release of Hocus Pocus, a Disney film that quickly became a Halloween classic. The highly anticipated sequel finally arrived on Disney+ last week, and the hype seems to have held up as the film is now the streaming platform's biggest movie debut to date.
Fans of the cult classic were especially pleased that the film stars the original three Sanderson sisters, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy. Many of the original cast members returned for the second installment, but there were also quite a few new faces.
Among those new faces were three drag superstars who made a name on the competition reality show, 'RuPaul's Drag Race': Ginger Minj, Kahmora Hall, and Kornbread.
Ginger Minj joined KRLD's What to Watch team to talk about her experience filming alongside the original cast.
Minj plays the drag version of Winnie Sanderson, and said working on the film was a dream come true.
"I grew up with Hocus Pocus. I remember going to watch it at the movie theater," she said. "And here, 30 years later, I get to be a part of something that has become such a touchstone within not just the LGBTQIA+ community, but particularly within the drag community. It's something that we've really embraced over these last 30 years and I'm just really happy to be a part of it."
Minj said meeting the three veteran actresses starring in the film left her and her fellow drag queen costars in tears.
"The three of us sat there, held each other's hands, and cried, because it just hit us all of a sudden, like, oh my God, this is Hocus Pocus and Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. The nine-year-old in me is screaming and crying and dying and living all at the same time right now. It's something I'll never forget," she said.
Minj revealed that Bette Midler approached her on set and said, "You were robbed!" in response to Minj winning second place on the reality show 'RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars'.
"I don't know for a fact that Bette Miller has ever watched an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. I don't know, but it was her way of going, I see you, I respect you. We're peers, we're working together," Minj said. "PS, we would never, ever be on their level. They are icons," she added.
Though Hocus Pocus 2 has already received positive acclaim from critics, Minj shared that she and her drag queen costars have also received negative criticism for their roles in the film.
"We've received so much backlash from people like, 'oh my gosh, the drag queens are destroying the fabric of America.' We're not destroying it. We're just bedazzling it, making it more pretty," she said.
Along with her role in the film, Minj has recorded a cover of "I Put A Spell On You," a highlight of the original 1993 film.
"This was kind of my love letter to the drag community. Here's something a little bit new, a little bit different," Minj said. "It pays homage to the first movie for sure, but it also has a few new twists and turns," she added.
Minj is also embarking on a 'Hocus Pocus Halloween Bash' tour, which she said would have never happened if it weren't for Bette Midler's blessing.
"I wouldn't have ever thought about doing that if that Midler hadn't said to me on our last day together, 'I love the way that you do me. I want you to take this and run with it and see where it goes,'" she said.
Hocus Pocus 2 is now available to stream on Disney+. Ginger's cover of "I Put A Spell on You," is also out now, with the video being released on October 7.
The "Hocus Pocus Halloween Bash" tour kicked off last week and will continue through October. Tickets can be purchased here.
If you're just not in the 'spooky season' mood yet, here are some more new releases for you to check out this weekend.
Grey's Anatomy
Some of you might want to clear your schedule this week and make an appointment at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital because 'Grey’s Anatomy' is back. Now in its 19th season, it’s safe to say that 'Grey’s Anatomy' is a very popular show. However, they do have a reputation for cycling through characters pretty quickly.
Luckily for Grey’s fans, Ellen Pompeo is here to stay, for now. Though she recently announced her character’s role would be included in a ‘limited capacity,’ Pompeo is returning for the 19th season along with Chandra Wilson (Dr. Bailey) and James Pickens Jr. (Dr. Webber).
Multiple familiar characters from previous seasons are also expected to make cameos throughout the upcoming season as well as a few new faces.
Grey’s Anatomy S19 will premiere Thursday, October 6 at 8 p.m. CT on ABC.
Smile
Now that Halloween is almost here, you might be looking for something a bit scarier to watch this weekend. Smile is the latest horror film from Paramount Pictures to hit theaters, earning the biggest opening weekend in the month of September.
The story follows a psychiatrist battling thoughts of suicide and hallucinations after one of her patients killed herself right in front of her. The patient had terrifying hallucinations of people with huge, devilish grins.
The film heavily leans on mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts as its subject matter, which some warn may trigger certain audiences.
Smile is now playing in theaters.
Interview With the Vampire
'Interview with the Vampire' is AMC’s latest series based on the Anne Rice novel of the same name. The show was highly anticipated by fans of the novel, published in 1976, and the 1994 film adaptation starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.
Filmed in New Orleans, the series is an “epic story of love, blood, and the perils of immortality” as told to journalist Daniel Molloy. While the characters are mostly the same, the story was tweaked a bit to better fit in the present day.
AMC released the first two episodes of Interview with the Vampire earlier this week, and positive reviews have already been pouring in from fans and critics alike.
You can stream the first two episodes of Interview with the Vampire on AMC+ now. New episodes will air on Sunday nights.
You can also listen to the official companion podcast here.
Amsterdam
Last but certainly not least on our list this week is the new comedy-drama from director David O. Russell, Amsterdam. This film is highly anticipated thanks to its star-studded cast including Christian Bale, Taylor Swift, John David Washington, and Robert De Niro, to name a few.
Set in the 1930s, the mystery film tells the story of three friends who are witnesses to a murder. They’re then framed for the murder which ultimately unravels one of the most ‘outrageous plots in American history.’
Amsterdam is set to hit theaters this Friday, October 7.
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