Some spells last longer than others.
“Practical Magic” hit theaters in 1998 and made a modest splash, at best.
Yet the film’s appeal never wavered. Instead, it grew.
Nearly 30 years later, the cast reassembled for “Practical Magic 2,” a sequel that fits perfectly into modern times.
It’s brimming with callbacks, fan service and a story that apes the very best of the source material. Except the first “Practical Magic” was a guilty pleasure, at best. At worst?
Shudder.
Part two is more of the same, making it a fine fit for the franchise’s fanatics but a slog for everyone else.
Witchy women Sally and Gillian (Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman) are still playfully bickering all these years later. Sally’s grown children Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams) don’t know about their family’s magical powers or the curse that haunts them.
Fall in love, and the man of your dreams will soon be pushing up daisies.
Kylie learns this the hard way when her beloved Gideon (Xolo Mariduena) is struck be a car and falls into a coma. Kylie jets off to England to track down someone who can help remove the family curse, with Sally and Gillian in hot pursuit to save her from herself.
Magic can be tricky, and even a well-intentioned practitioner could find a spell blowing up in her face.
Or something.
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The film’s approach to magic is driven by plot demands, not any consistent practice. It’s one of many nagging problems hiding in plain sight.
The film isn’t a laugh-out-loud affair, but the script offers some winning smiles and cute contrivances. Bullock’s affinity for physical humor, this time around, doesn’t suit the material.
Director Susanne Bier, stepping in for Griffin Dunne, does a better job corralling all the disparate elements attached to the franchise. That includes the return of Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as the Auntie Witches who spark trouble at every turn but are just too adorable for words.
Their appearance adds a softness to the story, as does Gillian’s girlish behavior. It’s a bit odd to watch two female protagonists, who should be in their 50s at this point, acting like teenagers.
Bullock has the meatier role, from her potent maternal instincts to a flirtation with a professor well versed in the dark arts (Lee Pace). Their connection is sweet, even if the dialogue ranges from bland to befuddling.
As “Practical Magic 2” hits theaters, its author Alice Hoffman is introducing the world to two new witches from the 1950s in “The Witches of Cambridge.” https://t.co/bHYjv0e8t1
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 9, 2026
Like “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” this second “Magic” coasts on the good vibes from the first film. It’s about reconnecting with adorable characters with a penchant for mischief and margaritas.
And, like the recent “Prada,” the sequel doesn’t lean into modern woke dynamics.
Oh, and the sisterhood angle never leaves the screen.
“No magic is stronger than sisterhood.”
There’s danger afoot here, much like in the first film, but the menace doesn’t announce itself for a good, long while. The sly villain matters, but he’s far less important than the film’s happy-happy, joy-joy reunion.
It goes without saying that a film like “Practical Magic 2” should never, under any circumstances, blow past the two-hour mark. But fan service takes its sweet time.
HiT or Miss: 2 out of 5 stars
Genre: Comedy/Fantasy
Runtime: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Where to Watch: In Theaters Sept. 11
Family Friendly? Some violence, adult language (one F-bomb) and mature themes. (PG:13)