Practical Magic 2 Opens to $30M, Splitting Critics and Fans

Key points

• Practical Magic 2 earned $30 million in North America and $16 million overseas for a total of $46 million.
• The film finished No. 1, ending Spider-Man: Brand New Day's six-week run, but fell short of studio projections.
• Critics gave the film a 34-36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, citing harsh lighting and weak CGI.
• Audiences awarded the film a B+ CinemaScore and a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
• The $75 million production cost, plus marketing, makes breaking even difficult for Warner Bros.

Background

The 1998 original Practical Magic was a box office flop that later became a cult favorite. The sequel, directed by Susanne Bier, reunites Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens sisters 28 years later. Earlier coverage noted the film's global debut was driven by strong English-speaking markets but underperformed in other territories.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and AP News focus on the financial disappointment, noting the $30 million domestic debut is similar to the 1998 original when adjusted for inflation. Rolling Stone argues the film was made for fans, not critics, highlighting the 92% audience score versus the 34% critic score. The Los Angeles Times offers a mixed review, praising Bullock and Kidman's chemistry but criticizing the CGI and tone shift. Variety notes the film's poor reviews may hinder a box office rebound, while Rolling Stone emphasizes the film's success with core fans.

Why it matters

The performance of Practical Magic 2 signals a challenging period for Warner Bros., following other underperforming releases. It also highlights the growing disconnect between critical reception and audience preference for nostalgic sequels, where fan loyalty can drive box office success despite poor reviews.

What to watch

Warner Bros. will monitor the film's box office trajectory in the coming weeks, hoping for a rebound from nostalgia and star power. The studio also faces pressure from the upcoming release of Tom Cruise-led comedy Digger, which has a $130 million budget.