“Why do we come here, Nicole?” Sandra Bullock asked a roaring crowd at CinemaCon this Tuesday, locking eyes with Nicole Kidman.
“We come to this place for magic,” Kidman replied with a smirk, leaning into her iconic AMC Theatres line as the audience of theater owners lost their collective minds. But this wasn’t just a meta-nod to cinema culture—it was the official summoning of Practical Magic 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 cult classic.
On stage, Bullock described the original film as “a story that people have so politely refused to let go.” While it wasn’t a box-office titan in the late ’90s, it brewed into a generational treasure on home video. This fall, the Owens sisters are officially coming back to finish what they started.
New Curses, Old Habits
The footage teed up by the stars proves that, despite the years, the Owens family’s reputation remains very much intact.
“I’m sure you’ve heard of the Owens family,” Bullock’s Sally says in a voiceover. “The ones from Massachusetts. The ones their neighbors whisper are witches.”
Sally is now navigating life with grown daughters (who are clearly following in the family business), while Kidman’s Gillian has finally settled down—with a black cat, naturally. However, trouble arrives in the form of a brooding Lee Pace, who appears to lure the sisters away from their quaint New England sanctuary for a high-stakes, dramatic assignment.
A Coven of Icons and New Blood
The sequel isn’t just bringing back the leads; the “Aunties” are officially in the building. Stockard Channing (Frances) and Dianne Wiest (Jet) are returning to provide the wisdom, wit, and presumably the tequila.
They’ll be joined by a massive ensemble of fresh faces, including Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones), Xolo Maridueña (Blue Beetle), Joey King (The Act), and Solly McLeod (The Dead Don’t Hurt).
Sisterhood Behind the Camera
The chemistry between Bullock and Kidman hasn’t aged a day. In a recent Variety cover story, Kidman noted their complementary styles: “She’s incredibly hands-on, and I love delegating. We have different skill sets that become complementary.”
Steering the broomstick this time is director Susanne Bier (Bird Box), working from a script co-written by original scribe Akiva Goldsman and Succession’s Georgia Pritchett. With that lineup, expect the dialogue to be as sharp as a silver needle.
Whether you’re here for the herbal lore, the coastal grandmother aesthetics, or the supernatural sisterhood, Practical Magic 2 is shaping up to be the ultimate autumn watch. Just remember the golden rule: plant lavender for luck, and look for the signs.
While the trailer hasn’t hit the world yet, following its CinemaCon reveal, we are hoping the sequel can recapture the magic of the original, which is available now on Prime Video and HBO Max.
