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The long-awaited sequel to the 1998 supernatural film “Practical Magic” opened in first place at the North American box office but fell short of expectations. Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprising their roles as the Owens sisters, “Practical Magic 2” earned $30 million domestically across 4,146 theaters during its debut weekend. The film’s international performance was even weaker, collecting only $16 million from 77 markets for a global opening of $46 million.
The underwhelming performance is particularly concerning given the film’s substantial $75 million production budget. When adjusted for inflation, the sequel’s opening nearly matches the original film’s 1998 debut, which launched with just $13 million before becoming a cult favorite. Critics were largely dismissive, awarding the movie a dismal 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences proved more generous with a “B+” CinemaScore.
The sequel, directed by Susanne Bier, follows the daughters of Sally and Gillian as they uncover family secrets and attempt to break a generational curse. Newcomers Joey King and Maisie Williams joined returning cast members Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing. The film primarily attracted older female viewers, indicating it resonated with core fans but failed to expand its appeal to younger demographics. Despite the disappointing start, the movie did unseat “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” from the top position after six weeks of dominance.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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