Practical Magic 2
Verdict: Practical Magic 2 leans heavily on nostalgia and the easy chemistry between its two leads, and for the most part, it works. It’s not a perfect sequel, but it’s an emotionally satisfying one for fans of the original.
Pros:
- Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman slip back into their roles effortlessly
- Several genuinely emotional, tear-jerking moments
- Strong sense of nostalgia for fans of the 1998 original
Cons:
- Plot feels muddled and drags in places
- Newer, younger characters lack the depth of the original cast
About Practical Magic 2 (2026)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Title | Practical Magic 2 |
| Directed by | Susanne Bier |
| Written by | Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett, Kelly Marcel |
| Produced by | Denise Di Novi, Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman |
| Cast | Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing |
| Cinematography | Simon Duggan |
| Music by | Rupert Gregson-Williams |
| Production Companies | Alcon Entertainment, Di Novi Pictures, Fortis Films, Blossom Films |
| Release Date | September 11, 2026 (US) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy |
| Censor Rating | PG-13 |
Nearly three decades after the original Practical Magic became a cult favourite, the Owens sisters are finally back on the big screen. Practical Magic 2 brings Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman together again as Sally and Gillian, with Susanne Bier taking over directing duties this time around.
The film also introduces a new generation of Owens women, played by Joey King and Maisie Williams, alongside newcomers Lee Pace and Xolo Maridueña. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing return as the beloved aunts too, so longtime fans get plenty of familiar faces.
Since its release, reactions have poured in from all corners of the internet, and it’s fair to say the response has been anything but one-note. The story picks up roughly 25 years after the first film. Sally’s grown up daughters are now dealing with the same generational curse that once haunted their mother and aunt.
As the curse threatens to tear the family apart again, the Owens women must come together, dig into old secrets, and make sacrifices to finally break it for good. On X, the reaction has been noticeably split, which is something worth mentioning upfront.
A good chunk of viewers say the film captures the same messy, comforting charm of the original, and that watching Kidman and Bullock share the screen again feels effortless. Several people specifically called out Kidman for looking like she’s having the most fun in the movie, with her performance getting repeated praise across posts.
At the same time, plenty of viewers have flagged the pacing as an issue. More than a few comments describe the middle portion as dragging, with the plot feeling more complicated than it needed to be. The newer characters, particularly among the younger cast, have come in for some criticism too, with a few users saying they don’t get enough room to feel fully fleshed out compared to Sally and Gillian.
Interestingly, there’s a noticeable gap between critics and regular audiences here. Critic reviews have leaned negative overall, with common complaints about a sluggish script and the film relying too much on nostalgia instead of standing on its own.
Audience scores, on the other hand, have skewed much more positive, and several fans on social media have pushed back directly against the critical reception, saying the emotional beats landed for them even if the plot wasn’t tight.
A number of posts also mention the shift in setting, with the story moving away from the cosy New England backdrop of the original to a colder, London-based location. Some viewers felt this took away a bit of the warmth that made the first film so memorable, while others didn’t mind the change.
Overall, if you grew up with the original Practical Magic or have a soft spot for it, this sequel is likely to hit the right emotional notes despite its flaws. The chemistry between Bullock and Kidman alone makes it worth watching.
If you’re coming in fresh with no attachment to the original, the uneven pacing and thinner character work might test your patience. For longtime fans, catching this in theatres feels like the right call, especially for the nostalgia factor. If you’re more neutral on the franchise, waiting for it to land on streaming isn’t a bad option either.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
