Bullock and Kidman reunite after 28 years, and Practical Magic 2 opens on the same bad reviews
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as Sally and Gillian Owens, their long‑awaited romantic fantasy sequel finally hitting cinemas today.
Back from the dead—well, not literally, though it wouldn’t be out of place—Practical Magic 2 has surfaced in UK cinemas, almost thirty years after the original. If you ever fancied a further look in at the Owens sisters and their particular brand of supernatural mayhem, this is the long-promised sequel that’s landed courtesy of Oscar-winner Susanne Bier and a returning all-star cast.
Practical Magic 2 is the first time Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman have shared the screen since the original film released in 1998.
Witches, curses, and a full-circle cast
First time round, back in 1998, audiences met Sally and Gillian Owens (played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman), two sisters stuck with a family curse that made love a right disaster. The film did, let’s be honest, get a lukewarm reception from critics, but over the years the oddball blend of romance, witchcraft, and late-'90s charm turned it into a cult favourite. Fast-forward to 2026—yes, we’ve been waiting nearly three decades for this—and both leads are back, dusting off the pointy hats for another go.
This time we’re drawing from Alice Hoffman’s novel The Book of Magic, and director Susanne Bier handles the sequel. The plot: Sally and Gillian are trying their best to keep things quiet, but the universe has other plans. Trouble arrives when Sally’s daughter—played by Joey King, with Maisie Williams also on board as one of the next-gen Owenses—finds herself caught up in the family’s notorious magic curse. It falls to both sisters, once again, to break the cycle before things spiral out of control. Sally’s as cautious as ever, especially where her children are concerned, while Gillian throws herself into the family's magical mess with that familiar reckless enthusiasm. If you missed seeing these two spar and bond, there’s plenty of that on display.
Cult classic pressure & familiar faces
What makes Practical Magic 2 more than just nostalgia-bait is that it’s roped in not only Bullock and Kidman but also Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing reprising their enchanting roles as Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny. The family tree's roots run deep; with the original gang plus a fresh younger set, there’s something for fans both new and old. The aim clearly seems to be capturing that same recipe that gradually transformed the first film from box office footnote to beloved rewatch staple.
Of course, not everyone is bewitched. Early critical response is, shall we say, less than magical—with Rotten Tomatoes currently sitting at a 37% Tomatometer and reviews split between those charmed by nostalgia and those left cold by the sequel’s attempts to recapture old sparks. You could argue the cult reputation was always going to be tough to bottle twice.
Rotten Tomatoes scores Practical Magic 2 at 37% on the Tomatometer as of release week.
Die-hards who loved the original will want to turn up for Bullock and Kidman’s reunion, but if you’re walking in green, don’t expect a total critical resurrection—the magic here is mainly for those already under the spell.