Hocus Pocus has gained popularity ever since its debut about 30 years ago. The Sanderson sisters, Winnie (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) aren’t leaving anytime soon, as seen by the availability of Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+. Although almost every one includes Hocus Pocus in their annual Halloween season watching, no one makes as many gay people laugh as hard at the movie‘s trio of baddies. But what is it about these well-known sisters that make them Halloween royalty for gay people?
The movie didn’t perform well at the box office and received mixed reviews. But over time, it gathered a fervent following that never stopped demanding a sequel.
On Tuesday, Midler sounded a little surprised that “Hocus Pocus 2” had actually been made, calling it “unbelievable.”
In a recent interview with Page Six at the Hocus Pocus 2 premiere in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 27, Midler was questioned about whether or not the movie was necessary to enhance her reputation as a gay legend. She responded to the publication, “No! ” “Girl, this is global, this is worldwide! Take control!
In her interview, Midler also discussed the struggles she and the Sanderson sisters, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy faced in securing the production of the sequel, which was released over three decades after the first one. We kind of inquired into it, and then when we discovered it had developed into something, we inquired about it once more, she added. “They kind of ignored us until they ultimately decided it was time. Thirty years, girl!
In addition to her acting and singing, the 76-year-old actress has long been hailed as a homosexual legend by the LGBTQ community for her support of queer rights throughout her career. Although she frequently used rhetoric frequently used by trans-exclusionary radical feminists (otherwise known as TERFs) to promote women’s rights, the actress encountered a major reaction in July 2022 after sending a tweet that many users perceived as transphobic.
THE WORLD’S WOMEN! She said at the time: “Our rights to our bodies, our lives, and even our names are being taken away from us taken away from us.” They no longer refer to us as “women,” calling us instead “people who give birth,” “people who menstruate,” or even “people with vaginas”! Never allow them to remove you! Everyone on the planet owes you!
In a subsequent tweet, Midler defended her remarks, stating that she had “no intention of doing anything discriminatory or transphobic” when she posted them.
The sequel to Hocus Pocus will air exclusively on Disney+ on Friday, Sept. 30.
