Practical Magic 2 Review: Bullock and Kidman Return, but the Spell Feels Weaker
It took 28 years, but the Owens sisters are back. Practical Magic flopped at the box office in 1998. Over time, it became a Halloween favorite, loved for its cozy witchy mood and the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
Now Practical Magic 2 arrives in theaters, directed by Susanne Bier. It’s a big nostalgic return, but does the magic hold up? Here’s our review.
Practical Magic 2 Story: A Curse, a Coma, and a Trip to England
The sequel is based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic. It picks up with Sally (Bullock) and Gillian (Kidman) Owens, who still live under a centuries-old family curse. Any man they fall in love with tends to meet a tragic end.
Sally has already lost two husbands. She has since given up magic altogether, hoping to prevent more heartbreak. She hasn’t even told her grown daughters, Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams), that they come from a family of witches. Free-spirited Gillian thinks that’s a mistake.
The truth comes out in the worst way. Kylie confesses her love to her boyfriend, Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), and he’s immediately hit by a car and falls into a coma. Furious at her mother, Kylie believes the curse is to blame and sets out to break it.
A mysterious spellbook tied to the Owens family leads her to England. Sally and Gillian follow close behind. In a quaint village, they meet Ian (Lee Pace), a local expert on witchcraft. He urges Sally to reclaim the powers she gave up long ago. Along the way, the sisters must work together with Kylie to solve a mystery tied to their family’s past.
The Return of the Owens Sisters
The best thing about the sequel is the cast. Bullock and Kidman still have a warm, bickering rhythm. Kidman plays Gillian with her usual reckless energy, while Bullock keeps Sally tightly wound and exasperated. Their dynamic is the film’s strongest link to the original.
Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing also return as the wise, witty aunts. They bring a sense of elegance and humor, and they even get a few surprises of their own. For fans of the original, seeing them again is a real treat.
Lee Pace adds a charming presence as Ian. His chemistry with Bullock gives Sally a spark of romance, and it’s easy to root for her to open up to love again.
Where the Story Loses Its Spell
Unfortunately, the sequel struggles in other places. The biggest problem is the plot. The mystery drags, with too many steps and not enough payoff. At 130 minutes, it runs far longer than the original, and the extra time feels padded rather than rich.
The new generation also gets a mixed treatment. Kylie makes impulsive choices that can test your patience. Antonia spends most of the film in a hospital room beside Gideon. Casting Maisie Williams in the role raises expectations, but she has little to do.
The tone has shifted too. The first film mixed romance, comedy, horror, and even dark drama. That wild blend made it unusual. The sequel plays things safer and lighter, with less darkness and less spellcasting than you might expect. Some of the humor repeats until it wears thin, and the sisters can feel more like cartoons than real people.
Fan Service Over Freshness
Practical Magic 2 leans heavily on nostalgia. It brings back familiar faces, the cozy house, and the sisterly bond. But the story doesn’t add much that feels new. The ending is predictable, and the final act is stretched with throwback moments that don’t move the story forward.
Even the film’s strongest ideas, like a family curse and the weight of old secrets, don’t dig deep. For viewers who want a magical new adventure, that may feel disappointing.
Who Should Watch Practical Magic 2
This sequel is best for devoted fans of the original. If you love Bullock and Kidman together, enjoy cozy witch movies, or just want to spend time with the Owens family again, you’ll find something to enjoy.
If you want a fresh story, tight pacing, or the daring tone of the first film, you may feel let down.
The Verdict
Practical Magic 2 has charming leads and a lovely return of beloved characters, but a slow mystery and a safe, familiar story keep it from casting a real spell. It’s a pleasant visit for fans, though hardly an essential one.
Rating: 2.5/5
Watch the Trailer
Quick Facts
- Title: Practical Magic 2
- Director: Susanne Bier
- Writers: Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett (based on Alice Hoffman’s novel The Book of Magic)
- Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
- Runtime: 2h 10m (130 minutes)
- Starring: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Maisie Williams, Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, Solly McLeod
- Producers: Denise Di Novi, Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman
- Composer: Alan Silvestri
- Cinematographer: Simon Duggan
- Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Release date: September 11, 2026 (US theaters)
Where to Watch
Practical Magic 2 opened in US theaters on September 11, 2026, through Warner Bros. Pictures. Check local listings if it’s still playing near you. Warner Bros. hasn’t officially announced a digital or HBO Max date yet. The original Practical Magic is streaming on HBO Max now.
Have you seen “Practical Magic 2”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
