Running Time: 130 minutes
This feature film from Warner Bros. opens exclusively at theaters on September 11th, 2026.
The original Practical Magic came out in 1998. This quirky picture told the story of two women from a family of witches living with a terrible curse resulting in the death of any man they fall in love with. It made a little more than its production budget, which was considered a box office disappointment at the time. However, the title was a big seller on DVD and Blu-ray. This, and its repeated airings on various networks, built it a sizable cult following.
Now, nearly three decades later, almost all of the original cast has returned for Practical Magic 2. This follow-up is set 25 years after the previous installment which ended with Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock) coming to terms with her magical abilities and finding herself and sister Gillian (Nicole Kidman) accepted into the community.
Sally is single again and has regressed, shutting out as much magic from her life as she can. Her adult daughters Kylie Owns (Joey King), Antonia Owens (Maisie Williams) aren’t even aware that they are from a family of witches. Aunts Frances (Stockard Channing) and Bridget (Dianne Wiest) understand the rationale, but there is tension between Sally and Gillian, who wants her nieces to know about their abilities. When Kylie reveals to family members that she is in love with Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), the boyfriend quickly ends up in a coma.All is revealed, and a furious Kylie runs away carrying a mysterious spellbook, with the intention of following a voice that will help her undo the curse. Sally and Gillian follow the trail to the home of their ancestors at a village in England. Along the way, they gain the assistance of professor in witchcraft Ian Wright (Lee Pace), who takes an interest in Sally.
The movie looks good, and it’s nice to see Bullock and Kidman sharing the screen together. The pair have great repartee and the movie is at its best when the two contrasting personalities take digs at each other, as well as throw shade on those around them. Some of the quips from Bullock have an improvisational feel, and several land quite well. The two women’s interactions with the aunts are also fun to watch, although Wiest and Channing have smaller parts and don’t appear in the film as much as one would hope for.
Unfortunately, the story has major problems. The first act essentially reintroduces the leads and family, while also dealing with a troubling family situation. But there’s no immediate threat present and the film meanders slowly to what will drive the main story. And although the specifics of this tale are new, the screenplay rolls protagonist Sally back to a state of avoiding magic and personal relationships. Sally has to deal with, more or less, the same issues as in the first movie, and it can’t help but feel repetitive. And Gillian, the wilder and more free-spirited sibling, remains the same in this picture from beginning to end without much growth.
Wright is added to the story as a love interest for Sally and they have a few flirty, entertaining interactions, but the plotline of finding Kylie and the spellbook doesn’t feel exciting or tense. There’s an occasional update on the comatose Gideon, but the film never makes it seem like time is of the essence in reversing the curse and saving him. And Sally once again accepting that her powers are a deep-rooted part of her family’s life is a major part of the odd climax. The protagonist attempts to use her abilities like a superhero to protect family members from a power-hungry foe using dark arts. With clunky exposition added in to explain what’s occurring, it ends up feeling convoluted and ineffective.
By the end of it all, we’ve heard again that tolerance and sisterhood is important, as well as accepting witchcraft and the magic around us (well, except for those curse-related spells). It’s a nice thought, but it isn’t effectively sold this time out. The movie even finishes with a reenactment of a memorable bit from the prior title, making one wonder if any of this was necessary. And thus, Practical Magic 2 doesn’t cast nearly as strong a spell as the original.
