Practical Magic 2 hits theaters as Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprise their iconic roles. Read the full review, plot, and release details!
Nearly three decades after original director Griffin Dunne brought the Owens family to cinemas in 1998, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are officially back on the big screen as magical sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in Practical Magic 2. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Alcon Entertainment, DiNovi Pictures, Fortis Films, and Blossom Films, the fantasy romance sequel opened internationally on September 9, 2026, before landing in North American theaters on September 10, 2026. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Susanne Bier (The Night Manager, Bird Box), the film adapts Alice Hoffman's 2021 sequel novel The Book of Magic to expand the witchy cinematic universe for modern audiences.
What Is the Plot of Practical Magic 2?
Rather than rethreading nostalgic moments, Practical Magic 2 shifts focus to the next generation while confronting the lingering ancestral curse cast by matriarch Maria Owens.
- The Next Generation Trigger: When Sally's adult daughter Kylie (Joey King) accidentally unleashes the family curse onto her boyfriend Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), she steals the ancient Book of Raven and flees to England to save him.
- A Transatlantic Journey: Sally and Gillian team up with Aunts Jet (Dianne Wiest) and Frances (Stockard Channing), crossing the Atlantic to track down Kylie in the gloomy countryside of London.
- New Warlock Rivals: The sisters recruit Ian Wright (Lee Pace), an academic specializing in the history of magic, to help them battle a sinister warlock named Thomas Lockland (Solly McLeod) who is attempting to siphon Kylie's powers.
What Are Critics Saying About Practical Magic 2?
Critical reaction to the legacy sequel has been mixed, with reviewers praising the leading duo's chemistry while debating the film's pacing.
- Sisterly Spark Intact: Critics from The Guardian praised the effortless solidarity between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, noting that their central relationship carries the film's strongest emotional beats.
- Pacing and Runtime Concerns: Reviewers at Entertainment Weekly and Variety highlighted the 130-minute runtime, arguing that the expanded plot occasionally stalls under convoluted subplots.
- Cult Audience Appeal: Outlets like Time Out and IndieWire embraced the cozy autumn aesthetic, rating it a rewarding reunion for fans who have kept the original cult classic alive for nearly thirty years.
Purchase theatrical tickets directly through Fandango or stream the original 1998 classic on Max.