Nearly three decades after the original 1998 fantasy romcom first hit screens, the world of the Owens sisters is returning. Practical Magic 2 reunites original stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, who reprise their roles as Sally and Gillian Owens. The sequel, which explores themes of ancestral magic and a recurring family curse, arrives following a surge in popularity among a new generation of fans who have embraced the original as a cult classic and seasonal staple.
For Bullock and Kidman, the decision to return was driven by persistent fan demand. “You never get the opportunity to do something where people really are asking you, ‘please do it’,” Bullock noted, adding that typically, the initiative comes from the performers rather than the audience. The sequel introduces new cast members, including Joey King and Maisie Williams, who play Sally’s daughters, Kylie and Antonia. They join returning veterans Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing, alongside newcomers Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly McLeod.
Joey King, known for her role in The Kissing Booth, believes the current cultural obsession with nostalgia is a direct response to the rapid pace of modern life. “I think with technology moving at the speed that it is, we’re really missing the times when we were less reachable,” King explained. She suggested that people are longing for a period when they were not constantly connected, noting that cinema provides a way to create and revisit meaningful memories.
Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams echoed these sentiments, describing the trend as a symptom of a collective desire for simpler times. While she expressed gratitude that the project is a sequel rather than a remake, she emphasized her preference for original storytelling. “I do believe in pushing the story forwards and I do believe in telling new stories,” Williams said. “I am not the biggest fan of the remake because I think it’s a shame to withhold ourselves from telling a new story.”
The narrative of the new film continues to center on the bond of sisterhood, a theme that faced criticism during the release of the 1998 original, which some reviewers labeled “too witchy” or focused on “too many women.” Williams acknowledged that joining such an established world was initially overwhelming, but credited the cast for their support. “They welcomed us into the sisterhood,” she said.
Beyond the magical elements, Williams sees the film as a reflection of contemporary social dynamics. In an era where women’s rights face significant pressure, she views the concept of “witchy” symbiosis as a source of empowerment. “It’s so important in a time like this for women to be supporting one another,” she remarked. She pointed to positive shifts, such as young women staying in education longer and earning potential, as signs of progress that the film’s themes of power and connection can help amplify.
Critical reception to the sequel has been varied. The Guardian characterized the film as a “nostalgia-bait return” that maintains the “strange and messy” energy of the original while offering “warm seasonal pleasures.” Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter described the sequel as “slapdash,” suggesting that the film is most effective when viewers abandon the search for logic and instead focus on the chemistry between the lead actresses. The report also notes that a sprinkling of social media hype and a generous glug of star power and you just might conjure up the long-awaited sequel to Practical Magic, mix together a beloved film simmering for decades. The report also notes that they say, the demand for a follow-up by this new wave of fans helped convince Bullock and Kidman to reprise their roles nearly 30 years on. The report also notes that which has become one of the defining forces within entertainment in recent years, has been influenced by “the world moving so fast”, kissing Booth star King said Newsbeat she feels this desire for nostalgic content. The report also notes that we’d stare out the window until it came to us, and I think we’re nostalgic for a time like that, if we couldn’t figure out something. The report also notes that reunions and remakes are dominating film and TV lists, the upcoming release comes at a time when reboots. The report also notes that practical Magic 2 sees the cast return to a world which is steeped in powerful ancestral magic with the characters once again confronting a family curse which condemns anyone who loves and is loved by an Owens woman to death. The report also notes that with bubbling family tension, dark romantic “witchcore” fashion and the iconic midnight margaritas, there are also nods to the original throughout. The report also notes that external 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”, meanwhile The Hollywood Reporter.
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