Studios just cannot get enough of legacy sequels. Every year, at least one film from over twenty years ago that you never expected to be revisited gets a new installment. Freakier Friday (2025), Top Gun: Maverick (2022), and The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) are all examples of this, with more to come like Focker-in-Law (2026), The Princess Diaries 3, and Days of Thunder 2 (2028). Twenty-eight years after the original, Susanne Bier is throwing her hat into the legacy-sequel ring with the bewitching and beloved Owens sisters in Practical Magic 2. 

The Owens family curse is as real as ever, claiming yet another of Sally Owens’ (Sandra Bullock) husbands (previously played by Aidan Quinn in the original). Since then, she has sworn off magic for herself and her two daughters, Antonia (Maisie Williams) and Kylie (Joey King), who have grown up without any memory of their mystical upbringing. Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman), on the other hand, still embraces the way of the witch despite her sister’s resentment. When Kylie entangles herself in an endearing romance, the Owens women are forced to reckon with their enchanted ancestry.

Bullock and Kidman reignite the illustrious sorcery that has been dormant all these years. Their sisterly chemistry is palpable, captivating, and dare I say stronger than its predecessor. The pair bring emotional depth and layered performances to what could have been two-dimensional characters, anchoring the newer generation of Owens women. The real magic happens in each moment they are on screen together.

Writer Georgia Pritchett captures the beautiful yet complex essence of womanhood with Sally and Gillian’s arcs. Sally is faced with the pressure of being a single mother raising her children the best she can while also struggling with her own identity and sexuality. Gillian is continually judged for her laissez-faire lifestyle, passionate affairs, and being a witch. Each gets their fair share of development, and Bullock and Kidman take it in stride, turning in two utterly compelling characters to watch on screen. 

Unfortunately, as with most legacy sequels, it is glaringly obvious that the film’s craftsmanship is handled with little care. The lighting is unnaturally flat, the soft focus is overused, and the blocking doesn’t bring the magic to life. When you look back to Practical Magic (1998), you fondly remember the chiaroscuro imagery with candles lit in the darkness and the warm tones that scream nostalgia. Cinematographer Simon Duggan fails to capture Dryden’s familiarity. 

Still, Alexandra Byrne’s costume design is a highlight in every sense of the word. Having curated wardrobes for films like Emma. (2020) and The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), Byrne is no stranger to a theme, so there was no doubt that she was not going to do the same here. From the bohemian flair of Gillian’s dresses to Sally’s cottagecore aesthetic, she does not disappoint fans of the sisters’ looks from the first film. Byrne skillfully uses Kylie’s outfits to show her journey into the realm of witchcraft. Even the little details — like dresses changing appearance when magic is used — help make audiences mesmerized by the Owens women and want to dress more “witchy” in time for the fall season.

King is the most surprisingly enjoyable aspect of the sequel. Her characterization of the free-spirited, lovelorn Kylie adds a coming-of-age breath of fresh air. Her performances up until this point, like The Kissing Booth (2018) and Bullet Train (2022), have been nothing to write home about, making this her best performance yet. 

In contrast, Williams’ character, Antonia, was severely underutilized, with more emphasis on Kylie. Knowing her capability as an actress, it is a missed opportunity to not explore her character past a surface level.

Pritchett balances the three generations of the Owens family remarkably while also exploring deeper into the Owens lineage. While some of the dialogue was incredibly corny with love interests Ian Wright (Lee Pace) and Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), you cannot help but buy into the charm that this story is selling. Practical Magic 2 champions womanhood in all aspects,and audiences will want to see films like this in theaters.

If you are a fan of the original film, you will be a fan of Practical Magic 2. The spell-binding sequel is packed to the brim with romance, midnight margaritas, and sisterly bickering that we missed so dearly. The perfect transition into the autumnal season.

Review Courtesy of Nandita Joshi

Feature image credit to Warner Bros. Pictures