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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did "Practical Magic 2" cast? A spell-binding sequel.

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Practical Magic 2
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySusanne Bier
Screenplay by
Based on
The Book of Magic
by Alice Hoffman
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySimon Duggan
Edited bySam Williams
Music byRupert Gregson-Williams
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
Running time
130 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$75 million (net)[3]
Box office$80.8 million[4]

Practical Magic 2 is a 2026 American romantic fantasy film directed by Susanne Bier from a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett, and Kelly Marcel, based on the 2021 novel The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman. The sequel to Practical Magic (1998), the film stars Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, and Stockard Channing reprising their roles from the previous film, alongside new cast members Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, and Xolo Maridueña.

Practical Magic 2 was released by Warner Bros. Pictures in the United States on September 10, 2026. The film received mixed reviews from critics.[5]

Plot

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In Massachusetts, the Owens family is cursed by a spell cast by their ancestor, Maria Owens. Once cast, any man who falls in love with an Owens woman dies. Sisters Sally and Gillian believe that they broke the curse, but Sally's second husband Gary dies soon after they are married. Grief-stricken, Sally rejects her magic and casts a final spell to make her daughters Kylie and Antonia forget about magic, hoping that the curse will never affect them.

Years later, Sally and Gillian's aunt, Jet, follows a raven portend to the Book of Raven, which contains instructions to break Maria's curse, but crucial pages are sealed. Jet, knowing she will die soon, leaves a note with the book for her sister, Frances, to continue her work. Kylie and Antonia return home for Jet's birthday, which they celebrate with Sally, Gillian, and the aunts. After Jet dies, the family holds a wake at the house, where Sally and Gillian meet Kylie's boyfriend, Gideon. Kylie tells Gideon she loves him, and the morning after, he is hit by a car and hospitalized in a coma.

Kylie confronts Sally about the rumors that she and Antonia grew up knowing about an Owens curse. Sally, pressed by Gillian, admits that she hid their magical heritage, leaving them unprepared. Kylie, angered, steals the Book of Raven, hoping to find a way to save Gideon. She experiences visions that guide her to England. Sally and Gillian follow her and, as advised by Frances, search for Ian Wright, a professor specializing in magic. They find Ian bound by a curse and free him. The next day, he helps unblock Sally's magic, allowing her to find Kylie.

Kylie travels to the town of Thornfield, Maria Owens' birthplace, searching for Lockland Manor. She meets Tom Bailey, who encourages her efforts to break the Owens curse and save her boyfriend. Tom tells Kylie that Maria's mother, Hannah Owens, was a servant to Lord Lockland and was burned as a witch on the manor grounds.

Sally and Gillian travel to Thornfield with Ian. Sally is drawn to Ian, but is cautious because Ian is also from Thornfield. Sally senses that Kylie is in trouble. At Tom's house, the trio find evidence that he attempted to practice dark magic and was Ian's apprentice. The sisters knock Ian unconscious and race to the Lockland Manor ruins where Tom is casting a spell to steal Kylie's magic. Tom is descended from Hannah's second child, born to Lord Lockland and cut off from magic. He has attempted to gain magic his entire life. It was Tom who cursed Ian and stole his Rauðskinna Grimoire to lure Kylie and the Book of Raven to Thornfield.

Sally, Gillian, and Kylie form a circle around Tom and use blood bond magic to destroy him. Sally and Kylie reconcile and discover that the Book of Raven pages have opened, revealing that Maria's curse can only be broken by a witch willingly sacrificing their life. Sally apologizes to Ian and returns home with Gillian and Kylie. Hearing how to break the Owens curse, Frances willingly walks into the river while Jet's spirit watches, finally breaking the curse.

A year later, Kylie and Antonia have learned more about their magical heritage. Kylie and Gideon get married. At the reception, Sally shares a kiss with Ian. Sally, Gillian, Kylie, and Antonia use umbrellas to fly off the roof in front of their guests.

Cast

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  • Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens, a witch and the older of the two Owens sisters.[6]
  • Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens, a witch and Sally's younger sister.[6]
  • Stockard Channing as Frances "Franny" Owens, a witch and the more brazen of Sally and Gillian's eccentric aunts.[7]
  • Dianne Wiest as Bridget "Jet" Owens, a witch and the softer of Sally and Gillian's eccentric aunts.[7]
  • Joey King as Kylie Owens, Sally's elder daughter who discovers dark family secrets that plunge the Owens family into a crisis.[7]
  • Maisie Williams as Antonia Owens, Sally's younger daughter[7]
  • Lee Pace as Ian Wright, an academic character who studies history of magic and becomes Sally's love interest[7]
  • Xolo Maridueña as Gideon, Kylie's love interest[7]
  • Solly McLeod as Tom Lockland, a dark warlock using Kylie's powers[7]
  • Katy Wix as Paula

Production

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Development

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On June 10, 2024, Warner Bros. Pictures announced that a sequel to the 1998 film Practical Magic was in development with Akiva Goldsman returning to write the script. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman were in negotiations to reprise their roles and produce the film with Denise Di Novi.[8] On June 13, 2024, Kidman confirmed that she would return, alongside Bullock.[6]

In July 2024, Di Novi stated that the sequel would be based on the novel The Book of Magic, also by Alice Hoffman, which serves as the final book in the original series.[9] In May 2025, Susanne Bier was announced as the director, with Georgia Pritchett joining Goldsman to co-write the screenplay.[10][11]

Casting

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In May 2025, it was reported that Joey King was in talks to join the cast making this her second collaboration with Nicole Kidman after A Family Affair.[11] In July 2025, it was announced that Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing would reprise their roles as Aunts Jet and Franny Owens, while Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña and Solly McLeod joined the cast in undisclosed roles.[7]

Filming

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In June 2025, in was reported that the film would be filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, England.[12] On July 18, 2025, Kidman revealed the principal photography has begun.[13] Simon Duggan served as the cinematographer.[14] In August 2025, Bullock was spotted filming in the Hamptons in Worcester Park, London, which had been transformed into a seaside village.[15] Production wrapped on September 13, 2025.[16]

Music

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Rupert Gregson-Williams scored the film's soundtrack.[17] Three original songs were also recorded for the soundtrack, "Caught Myself Believing" by Bleachers, "Blur" by Aldae, and a cover of the Billy Joel single "And So It Goes" by Brandi Carlile.[18]

Release

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Practical Magic 2 premiered at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on August 26, 2026,[19] and was released in the United States and Canada on September 10.[20] It was previously scheduled to be released the following week, on September 18.[10] It was Bullock's third theatrical sequel to be released, after Speed 2: Cruise Control in 1997 and Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous in 2005.[21]

Reception

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Box office

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As of September 24, 2026, Practical Magic 2 has grossed $52 million in the United States and Canada, and $27 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $80 million.[4] In the United States and Canada, Practical Magic 2 was released alongside The Uprising, Hope, Runner, and Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger, and was projected to gross around $40 million from 4,146 theaters in its opening weekend.[3] The film made $12.5 million on its first day, including $4.7 million from Thursday previews. It went on to debut to $30 million, below expectations but still managing to become the first film to dethrone Spider-Man: Brand New Day atop the box office after six weeks.[22] Overseas, the film grossed $16 million, for a global opening weekend of $46 million.[23]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 36% of 160 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.0/10. The website's consensus reads: "Nostalgic and inert, Practical Magic 2 has charms thanks to Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman's sisterly rapport, but its mechanical plotting is a whole lot of toil that's not worth the trouble."[24] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 44 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[25] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while 72% of those surveyed by PostTrak said they would definitely recommend it.[22]

Nikki Gemmell of The Australian gave it a three-out-of-five review and wrote, "Fans will still be fans. They'll be flocking and they'll leave satisfied. But the film has none of the audacious, provocative energy of a Barbie or a Wuthering Heights; it's not going to enter water-cooler conversations, not going to stick."[26] In a negative review, Tim Robey of The Daily Telegraph called the film "a blandly watchable but stubbornly inessential sequel".[27]

Accolades

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Accolades received by Practical Magic 2
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s).
Queerties Awards March 10, 2026 Next Big Thing Practical Magic 2 Nominated [28]

References

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  1. ↑ Cho, Winston (November 5, 2025). "Warner Bros. Forced Into Shotgun Wedding for 'Matrix,' 'Practical Magic' and 'Ocean's 11' Sequels". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 6, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Practical Magic 2 (12A)". Irish Film Classification Office. August 14, 2026. Archived from the original on August 15, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  3. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 9, 2026). "Box Office: 'Practical Magic 2' To Kick Off Fall With $58M-$63M Global". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 10, 2026. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Practical Magic 2 - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on September 15, 2026. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  5. ↑ Clarke, Naomi (September 11, 2026). "People long for simpler times, say Practical Magic reboot stars". bbc.com. United Kingdom: BBC News. Retrieved September 15, 2026. Reviews so far have been mixed, with the Guardian describing it as a "nostalgia-bait return" which is as "strange and messy as the first" but with "warm seasonal pleasures to be had". Meanwhile The Hollywood Reporter says the "slapdash" sequel "works better the less you look for any sense of logic, and the more you just lean into the transient joys of watching these actresses bounce off each other".
  6. 1 2 3 Mazzeo, Esme; Mandell, Andrea (June 13, 2024). "Nicole Kidman Confirms She and Sandra Bullock Will Star in the 'Practical Magic' Sequel: 'There's a Lot More to Tell' (Exclusive)". People. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Grobar, Matt (July 11, 2025). "Dianne Wiest & Stockard Channing Returning For 'Practical Magic 2'; Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña And Solly Mcleod Also Set". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  8. ↑ Woerner, Meredith (June 10, 2024). "'Practical Magic 2': Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in Talks to Return for Sequel". Variety. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  9. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (July 9, 2024). "'Practical Magic 2' plot will adapt 'Book of Magic' novel, producer says". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  10. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 6, 2025). "'Practical Magic 2' Sets Early Fall 2026 Release". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Kit, Borys (May 21, 2025). "Joey King in Talks to Join Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman in 'Practical Magic 2' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  12. ↑ Calnan, Ellie (June 23, 2025). "'Practical Magic 2' starring Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock preps UK shoot". Screen Global Production. Archived from the original on August 6, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  13. ↑ Zee, Michaela (July 18, 2025). "Nicole Kidman Reveals First Day on 'Practical Magic 2' Set With Sandra Bullock: 'The Witches Are Back'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Simon Duggan, ASC, ACS Portfolio" (PDF). Worldwide Production Agency. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  15. ↑ McCulloch, Rebecca (August 21, 2025). "Sandra Bullock spotted filming Practical Magic 2 in South London suburb". MyLondon. Archived from the original on August 21, 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  16. ↑ Dunn, Jack (September 13, 2025). "Nicole Kidman Says 'Practical Magic 2' Has Wrapped Production: 'Thank You to the Cast and Crew for All Your Magic'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 30, 2026. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Every song on the Practical Magic 2 soundtrack". NME. September 11, 2026. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
  18. ↑ DeVille, Chris (September 11, 2026). "Bleachers Share "Caught Myself Believing," Bring Out Carly Rae Jepsen In LA". Stereogum. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
  19. ↑ Tapp, Tom (August 26, 2026). "'Practical Magic ' European Premiere Photos: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Maisie Williams, Joey King & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 27, 2026. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  20. ↑ Lang, Brent (February 6, 2026). "DC Studios Moves 'Clayface' to October 2026, Warner Bros. Shifts 'Practical Magic 2' Release Date". Variety. Archived from the original on February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Sandra Bullock Breaks Her Biggest Rule Next Month After 21 Years". Archived from the original on September 10, 2026. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
  22. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 13, 2026). "'Practical Magic 2' Opens To $30M U.S., On Par With Recent Sandra Bullock Pics – Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  23. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 13, 2026). "'Practical Magic 2' Brews Up $46M WW In Global Opening". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Practical Magic 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Practical Magic 2". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2026. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock's ageless faces distract in flawed sequel".
  27. ↑ Robey, Tim (September 10, 2026). "Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock would need real magic to save this sequel". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  28. ↑ French, Kennedy; Malkin, Marc (January 20, 2026). "'Heated Rivalry,' Jonathan Bailey, Cynthia Erivo and Bella Ramsey Among Queerties 2026 Nominations (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
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