“Practical Magic 2” is a Fall Must-See

“Practical Magic” originally entered the world of cinema in 1998, a story that combined elements of romance and fantasy, with a witch-ful twist. Fans of the cult classic as well as new generations were met with an exciting new movie release: “Practical Magic 2” on Sept. 10, 2026.

Both stories on-screen have been adapted from books originally written by Alice Hoffman. Yet the original “Practical Magic” movie was directed by Griffin Dunne, with the new one being taken on by Susanne Bier.

There were high expectations set from the original, as a movie that redefined the way witches are viewed. Rather than being seen as villainous, “Practical Magic” transformed witches into the epitome of feminine empowerment and resilience. Its sequel would have a lot of work to do to succeed, especially with a long period of time between production.

Based on Hoffman’s 2021 novel “The Book of Magic,” the new movie follows the multi-generational Owens family as the characters try to confront a family curse that has negatively impacted the romance side of their lives.

Going to see this new movie in theaters was a very fun experience I would recommend to all. It was engaging to see, especially for fall, with a carefully chosen cast and a plot that was easy to follow.

Sally Owens, played by returning star Sandra Bullock, is the main witch in “Practical Magic 2” and is trying to protect her daughters from the magic they possess in them, even going so far as to stop using magic herself, which causes a feud between her and her sister Gillian, played by returning star Nicole Kidman. 

After the death of their aunt Franny, played by returning star Stockard Channing, Sally’s daughter Kylie tries to break the ancestral love curse to save her dying boyfriend. The family then triggers a dangerous chain of events, involving dark magic and a potential new love, forcing the Owens women to reunite and make sacrifices to protect each other.

Each character in this movie has not only an incredible script but they are also represented by thoughtfully chosen actors. Each with the physical aseptic of the role but also that cinematic look. Take Joey King for example; she looks just like the rebel teenager who would fall in love and do anything for him. Having these actors resemble the character they portray makes the viewers connect with the film.

Even if you haven’t watched the first movie, you can easily pick up on what is happening in this movie and can follow the plot. Though the movie seems long itself, there are lots of parts that  capture the viewer’s attention. 

One good scene from this movie was when Kylie was about to be burned for witchcraft. The directors do a great job of making a difference from dark magic to their magic; this is seen in that scene when the flashbacks of dark magic appear. The flashbacks create little moments that change the reader’s view of the magic they use and shift the overall mood.

One bad scene, however, was the door break-down scene. In this scene, Sally gets so angry and powerful that she breaks down a locked door with her mind. However, the CGI could have been better. It did accomplish the goal they had, but it could have better used current technology.

Overall, it was an amazing movie to go watch with family and friends. With a plot so easy to follow combined with heartfelt moments, “Practical Magic 2” is a movie you should check out before fall ends.