Practical Magic 2 Opens Strong, Ending Spider-Man's Six-Week Box Office Reign

Key points

• Practical Magic 2 is projected to open with $30-$35 million in North America and $18-$23 million internationally, surpassing the 1998 original's $46 million domestic total in its debut weekend.
• The film's strong Thursday previews, estimated at $3.5-$4 million, exceeded those of recent rom-coms like The Lost City and Ticket to Paradise, signaling a solid start for the $70 million production.
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day will lose the No. 1 spot after six weeks but is expected to surpass Star Wars: The Force Awakens' $936 million domestic record, having already grossed approximately $923 million in the U.S.
• Critical reception for Practical Magic 2 remains mixed, with a 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences are praised for enjoying the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
• The release coincides with a broader trend of nostalgic reboots, with stars noting that audiences are seeking 'simpler times' and emotional connections in a fast-paced digital world.

Background

The 1998 original Practical Magic grossed $46 million domestically and $94.4 million worldwide, receiving mixed reviews but finding a new audience through social media. The 2026 sequel, directed by Susanne Bier and co-financed by Alcon, aims to capitalize on this renewed interest. It arrives in a 2026 box office that has yet to see a $100 million domestic hit, following a record-breaking summer driven by Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline emphasize the financial performance and box office trajectory, noting that Practical Magic 2's previews and projections indicate a strong debut that will dethrone Spider-Man: Brand New Day. BBC focuses on the cultural and emotional resonance of the film, highlighting stars Joey King and Maisie Williams' comments on nostalgia and the appeal of 'simpler times' in a rapidly changing world. The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline also note the mixed critical reception, with The Hollywood Reporter's Angie Han praising the actresses' chemistry despite a lack of logic, while Deadline points out the 36% Rotten Tomatoes score, comparing it to the original's 29%.

Why it matters

The success of Practical Magic 2 demonstrates the enduring power of nostalgia and star power in a market that has struggled to find new blockbusters. It also highlights the shifting dynamics of the box office, where long-running films like Spider-Man: Brand New Day can be dethroned by sequels with strong audience appeal, even if critical reception is mixed. The film's performance will also influence the trajectory of the 2026 box office, which has yet to see a $100 million domestic hit.

What to watch

The full weekend box office results for Practical Magic 2 will be released on Monday, confirming whether it has indeed dethroned Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The film's performance will also influence the trajectory of the 2026 box office, which has yet to see a $100 million domestic hit. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is expected to surpass Star Wars: The Force Awakens' $936 million domestic record in the coming weeks.