'Practical Magic 2' Review: A Charming Legacy Sequel That Keeps the Magic Alive
By Shauna Bushe - September 23, 2026
Contains spoilers
Our favourite Owen’s sisters are back, complete with their signature cozy autumnal witchy vibe and the same deathly curse that defined an era. Practical Magic 2 reignites through generational trauma, a steep cost of true love and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood. Director Susanne Bier abandons the original small-town breezy setting for a broader, more intense international rescue mission and the result is just as enchanting.
What is 'Practical Magic 2' about?
Set 25 years after the originals events, Sally (Sandra Bullock) has chosen to abandon her magic, raising her two daughters with no knowledge of spells, their powers or the family curse. But when Kylie (Joey King) falls in love, the ancient curse reawakens and the ticking beetle looms. Determined to not lose the love of her life, Kylie embarks on a journey to break the curse but is lured down a dangerous path of dark magic. Now Sally and Gillian must save Kylie before the darkness consumes her completely.
Bullock and Kidman slip back into their roles effortlessly; their natural chemistry is so convincing, making them easily believable as real-life sisters. The dynamic they share remains the absolute heartbeat of the film; every knowing glance and throwaway joke carries the weight of a dual history, a blend of lingering grief, fiercely protective loyalty and an unbreakable bond forged over a lifetime. Where one grounds the scene, the other elevates it, creating a push and pull closeness that makes their entire relationship feel significantly authentic.
The biggest threat to Practical Magic 2 isn’t the lack of magic, but the danger of fan service, an overcrowded middle and an overly ambitious finale. By leaning too far into Kylies arc, Antonia is pushed into the background, fracturing the essential sisterly dynamic that gave the original its heart. Had the narrative allowed both sisters to navigate this journey together, it would have delivered a much stronger, more meaningful parallel. Additionally, a chaotic third act trades communal atmosphere for jarring CGI effects, burying the magical notes of warmth under a sheet of digital noise.
Furthermore, it was unfortunate to see Dianne Wiest's character relegated to a glorified cameo, feeling more akin to fan service rather than a fully fleshed character. While her kooky, eccentric softness is apparent, she deserved more than the opening act. Stockard Channing offers more than background charm and acts as the plot’s catalyst, serving as the explicit key to finally breaking the curse. As for Lee Pace, he seamlessly slides into the ensemble with ease. This tall, dark and handsome man, with a magnetic charisma that fits right into the universe.
Susanne Biers reimagining of Practical Magic 2 honours Griffin Dunnes original vision, even with her high-stakes style, by infusing the sequel with that signature warm autumn palette, cozy witchy aesthetics and of course the famous Midnight Margaritas. Where other franchises succumb to tired repetition, this long-awaited sequel delicately hits familiar beats whilst also feeling gently refreshing. It finds space to balance dry, often side-splitting ridiculous humour with intense emotions, delivering heart-wrenching goodbyes we aren’t ready to face, without losing the light-hearted charm which mads us love the Owens family in the first place.
In the end, even when Practical Magic 2 wobbles under the weight of its narrative, carrying it forward is a rich soundtrack, gorgeous visual production design and the talented, sharp central performances. The charm of the Owens family delivers enough magic to make this legacy sequel worthwhile.
'Practical Magic 2' released in cinemas on September 11, 2026.
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Shauna Bushe
Writer
Shauna is always down to talk about movie lore, collector of all things physical media and driven by a life long love for horror cinema.
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