Practical Magic 2 Review
Practical Magic 2 (2026) Film Review, a movie directed by Susanne Bier, written by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett and Alice Hoffman and starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, Lee Pace, Joey King, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, Cassie Bradley, Ema Cavolli, Scarlett Nasrat and Harriett Scott.
Filmmaker Susanne Bier tops Griffin Dunne’s original 1998 witch comedy, Practical Magic, with a wholly enjoyable legacy sequel, Practical Magic 2. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprise their juicy roles as Sally and Gillian Owens, sisters who have lived with a very bad curse that they’ve dealt with pretty much their entire lives. Bier creates a really insightful glimpse inside the Owens family, and old-timers Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing from the original film are also back on board as Aunts Jet and Franny. There is also some new young blood on board. Sally’s young daughters, Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams) have been sheltered from knowing about their mom’s witch status and the whole curse revolving around it in this genuinely entertaining new picture that will please fans of the original many times over.
This movie’s plot begins to kick in with the start of Jet’s birthday party. Sally (referred to as “Sal” in the movie occasionally) is now a librarian, and Jet overhears the plans for a surprise party for Jet in the library. One problem, though: the death bug is making its frustrating noises, suggesting that poor Aunt Jet’s days may be numbered and the bug may be coming to take her away.
Antonia is studying towards being a doctor when we first get a proper introduction to her in the film. When we meet the more romantic Kylie, she’s getting to know a new love interest, Gideon (Xolo Maridueña). When Kylie and Gideon seem to be falling in love, and professing their true feelings to one another, that pesky curse takes control and ultimately puts Gideon in a car accident, which leaves him in a coma.
Sally confesses her true nature to Kylie, who flees the country in search of answers to breaking the curse that could save Gideon’s life. When Sally and Gillian follow her out of the country, they meet Professor Wright (Lee Pace), who is in serious trouble himself, and they must break a curse that has been placed on Wright. He lays motionless on a table naked, and Sally throws a cover over him while the ladies work some magic. Sally and Gillian need answers quickly regarding Kylie, and Wright can potentially help them all out considerably.
Meanwhile, Kylie finds herself in danger with a creep named Tom Lockland (Solly McLeod), a man who seems to be trying to get powers that would help him to control certain desires he has to have a significant amount of power.
This legacy sequel never fails to be enjoyable, from the legendary Oscar-winner Wiest’s scenes to the rapport between Kidman and Bullock, who know these characters so well, they could have played them in their sleep. Channing is, as always, a delight. It’s Joey King who impresses the most, though, with her heartfelt work in this tearjerker, which shows audiences the healing power of the family bond, whether certain family members are actually witches or not. Just about anyone can relate to this movie’s themes.
Bullock gets the most screen time, offering audiences a budding romance with Lee Pace’s professor character. Kidman more or less gives the movie to Bullock this time out as she was more the star of the first picture since the original movie revolved around her character’s problems with the Goran Visnjic character in the 1998 movie. Kidman still shines as she puts on a British accent at one point quite humorously. Those new male characters in the film are solid, if nothing spectacular when compared to the women in the movie.
Practical Magic 2 exceeds the original by far. Bier directs confidently with a nice chunk of time devoted to each generation of the Owens family members. We sometimes feel we’re in really scary witch movie territory with some of the plot developments, which probably take this one off the table for any kids under 12.
Of course, no movie like this is complete without homages to the original picture. This picture saves most of its staple scenes for the end when those midnight margaritas finally come into play for a key character’s big event. Don’t forget watching the Owens sisters float off the roof in their long witch socks either.
What happens before those concluding scenes is quite watchable, indeed. King and Bullock create a fine mother-daughter relationship and a believable one that could leave a tear or two in viewer’s eyes.
Practical Magic 2 makes less use of Maisie Williams’ Antonia than it could have, and it’s a bit longish, but still, it’s a great time at the movies. You want powerful scenes of witchcraft and deep emotions? You’ll get them and then some in this wonderfully constructed sequel.
This legacy sequel definitely surpasses the first movie in terms of its heart and its humor, and also in terms of its plot development. Each scene is important to the storyline while the picture is quite handsomely mounted. Practical Magic 2 will have audiences tearing up at its emotional and distinct character relationships. This is one of the better sequels of the year and is very highly recommended.
Rating: 8/10
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