Practical Magic

Practical Magic
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	October 16, 1998; 28 years ago
Key people	Griffin Dunne (director), Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, Aidan Quinn, Goran Visnjic (cast)
Products	Romantic fantasy movie

Practical Magic is a 1998 American romantic fantasy movie adapted from the 1995 novel Practical Magic written by Alice Hoffman. Directed by Griffin Dunne, the film features performances by Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, Aidan Quinn, and Goran Visnjic.

The story follows sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, played by Bullock and Kidman, who come from a lineage of witches. After their parents die as a result of a family curse, they are raised by their aunts and taught the art of practical magic. As adults, they must harness their abilities to confront and overcome the malevolent spirit of Gillian's abusive boyfriend before it endangers their lives.

Premiering on October 16, 1998, the film earned $68.3 million worldwide against a production budget of $75 million. Although it initially received mixed critiques due to its combination of supernatural fantasy, themes of domestic abuse, romantic comedy, and crime drama, it has since developed a devoted cult following praised for its ensemble cast, musical score, and feminist undertones. A sequel titled Practical Magic 2 is planned for release on September 18, 2026.

Plot

Set in a quaint Massachusetts community, the Owens family has been regarded with suspicion for over 300 years following the ordeal of ancestor Maria Owens, who survived an attempted execution for witchcraft. After being deserted by her child's father, Maria cast a spell to prevent herself from ever falling in love again; this spell eventually transformed into a curse dooming any man loved by an Owens woman.

In the current timeline, sisters Sally and Gillian Owens are brought up by their aunts Frances and Jet after both parents fall victim to this curse. During their childhood, they face bullying from local peers.

After observing their aunts perform a love spell for an obsessed woman, Sally casts a charm on herself to only fall in love with a man possessing impossible qualities, intending to avoid romance entirely. Conversely, Gillian looks forward eagerly to experiencing love. As teenagers, Gillian runs away with her boyfriend to Los Angeles, and before parting ways, she and Sally swear an oath of loyalty through a blood spell.

Gillian spends the following ten years involved in various relationships across the country while Sally marries Michael in Massachusetts and raises two daughters named Kylie and Antonia. Following Michael’s accidental death, Sally moves back in with her aunts along with her children. Discovering that her aunts secretly cast a love spell on her to ensure her happiness, Sally forbids her daughters from learning magic.

Gillian later confides about being involved with an abusive man named Jimmy Angelov. When Sally comes to rescue her, Jimmy takes them hostage. Sally attempts to sedate him with tequila laced with belladonna but unintentionally causes his death.

They bring Jimmy’s corpse back to Frances and Jet’s home and try to revive him using forbidden magic; however, Jimmy returns violently and assaults Gillian. Sally kills him once more before they bury his remains.

During a fraught midnight drinking session fueled by Jimmy’s tequila, the aunts leave a message urging the sisters to "clean up their own mess."

Gary Hallett, an investigator from Tucson, Arizona, arrives searching for Jimmy, who is also identified as a serial killer. Gillian attempts to repel him with a potion but Sally’s daughters recognize Gary as the man from Sally’s childhood spell and discard the potion.

Following an argument with Gillian, Sally admits the truth to Gary and realizes he is indeed the impossible man from her spell. They share an intense kiss.

Back at home, Jimmy’s spirit possesses Gillian; Gary witnesses this but remains unharmed due to his silver badge. Sally warns Gary that their relationship is cursed and perilous; he responds that curses only have power if one believes in them and returns to Tucson.

Jimmy re-enters Gillian’s body and tries to kill Sally before Frances and Jet return. Embracing magic fully to protect her sister, Sally leads local women in forming a coven that exorcises Jimmy’s spirit, thereby breaking the Owens family curse and banishing him forever.

Gary clears both sisters of any suspicion related to Jimmy’s crimes and comes back to Massachusetts to be with Sally. Ultimately, the Owens women gain acceptance within their community as witches.

Production

The filming of Practical Magic combined studio sets in California with a specially constructed Victorian-style residence on San Juan Island, Washington, designed to represent the Owens family's heritage. This elaborate structure required eight months to complete and was dismantled after production concluded. Scenes depicting small-town life were captured in downtown Coupeville, Washington, a historic Victorian port town located on Whidbey Island.

Director Griffin Dunne originally planned for the movie to have a darker tone, incorporating more intense depictions of domestic abuse; however, studio interventions resulted in a toned-down version. Dunne has expressed a desire to release a director's cut that restores his initial vision.

In DVD commentary, Sandra Bullock recounted that during the filming of a scene where the Owens women are intoxicated and exchanging insults, the cast consumed subpar tequila supplied by Nicole Kidman. Additionally, several cast members reported experiencing unexplained supernatural occurrences on set, such as eerie sounds during the coven sequence. For the film’s concluding scene featuring townsfolk at the Owens residence, local residents were invited to join in costume.

Music

Although Michael Nyman composed the original score for Practical Magic, it was ultimately replaced shortly before release with music by Alan Silvestri for the theatrical version. This change resulted in two distinct soundtrack editions, with only two tracks featuring new compositions. A 50-track demo of Nyman's score—including pieces like "Convening the Coven" and "Maria Owens"—has circulated unofficially. Nyman's complete score lasts 62 minutes and 30 seconds and incorporates themes later developed in Ravenous and The Actors, alongside motifs from his earlier projects such as Carrington and The End of the Affair. The track "Convening the Coven" was re-released on The Very Best of Michael Nyman: Film Music 1980–2001 and evolved into "City of Turin" on the album The Glare.

The soundtrack’s promotion was led by singer Stevie Nicks, who contributed her song "If You Ever Did Believe" as well as a newly recorded version of "Crystal," both featuring backing vocals from Sheryl Crow.

Track listing

"If You Ever Did Believe" – Stevie Nicks
"This Kiss" – Faith Hill
"Got to Give It Up (Pt.1)" – Marvin Gaye
"Is This Real?" – Lisa Hall
"Black Eyed Dog" – Nick Drake
"A Case of You" – Joni Mitchell
"Nowhere and Everywhere" – Michelle Lewis
"Always on My Mind" – Elvis Presley
"Everywhere" – Bran Van 3000
"Coconut" – Harry Nilsson
"Crystal" – Stevie Nicks
"Practical Magic" – Alan Silvestri / "Convening the Coven" – The Michael Nyman Orchestra
"Amas Veritas" – Alan Silvestri / "Maria Owens" – The Michael Nyman Orchestra

Box office

Practical Magic debuted at number one at the box office, earning $13.1 million during its opening weekend. Globally, it accumulated $68.3 million in revenue, falling short of its $75 million production cost.

Critical reception

The film received predominantly unfavorable critiques, with reviewers citing inconsistent tone and screenplay issues. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 26% approval rating based on 101 reviews, highlighting that tonal inconsistencies detract from the narrative despite strong performances by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. Metacritic assigns a score of 46 out of 100 based on 22 critic reviews, indicating mixed or average feedback. Audience polling via CinemaScore resulted in a 'B-' grade.

Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly described it as “a witch comedy so slapdash, plodding, and muddled it seems to have had a hex put on it.” Roger Ebert commented on its uncertain genre identity, noting it oscillates between horror, comedy, and romance, concluding that it is “too scary for children and too childish for adults.”

Conversely, Garth Stahl from the Hartford Courant offered a more favorable perspective, emphasizing its rare emphasis on female-driven dark comedy and sisterhood themes. He acknowledged imperfections but commended its bold approach and captivating depiction of witchcraft as both an element of ostracism and empowerment.

Amazon reviewer Tom Keogh pointed out the film’s tonal fluctuations but found its focus on female relationships along with supporting performances by Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing engaging.

Over time, Practical Magic has developed a cult following. David Sims of The Atlantic highlighted its concentration on female bonds and empowerment, describing it as a mainstream studio production that interwove darker themes related to gender and power within an entertaining comedic framework—qualities that contribute to its enduring popularity.

Audience viewership

Practical Magic secured a position within the top 10 films on Max, climbing to the #5 spot just one day following its debut on October 1, 2024.

Accolades

Year	Work nominated	Award	Outcome
1999	Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Dianne Wiest	American Comedy Awards	Template:Nom
	Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy/Romance Stockard Channing	Blockbuster Entertainment Awards	Template:Won
	Favorite Actor – Comedy/Romance Aidan Quinn		Template:Nom
	Favorite Song from a Movie Faith Hill _{For "This Kiss".}		Template:Nom
	Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy/Romance Dianne Wiest		Template:Nom
	Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress Camilla Belle	Young Artist Awards	Template:Nom
	Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress Evan Rachel Wood	Young Artist Awards	Template:Nom

Sequel

A sequel was announced in June 2024, with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman attached as producers and potential returning leads. Kidman subsequently confirmed their involvement. Akiva Goldsman, who co-wrote the original film, is tasked with scripting the follow-up. Griffin Dunne will serve as executive producer, while a female director is anticipated to helm the project.

The narrative for the sequel draws from Alice Hoffman's 2021 novel The Book of Magic, part of her Practical Magic series. Producer Denise Di Novi expressed confidence about commencing production in 2025. By January 2025, Susanne Bier was reported to be in negotiations to direct. In February, Kidman remarked that development was progressing quickly. Bier was officially named director in May 2025, with a scheduled release date of September 18, 2026.

July 2025 casting news revealed Joey King joining as one of Sally’s daughters. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest will reprise their original characters, alongside Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, and Maisie Williams in roles yet to be disclosed.

In other media

In 2004, Warner Bros. collaborated with CBS to produce Sudbury, a television pilot penned by Becky Hartman Edwards and directed by Bryan Spicer. The cast included Kim Delaney and Jeri Ryan, portraying roles initially played by Bullock and Kidman. Despite being named after the novel and film's setting of Sudbury, Massachusetts, the pilot did not advance into a series.

An attempt to create a prequel TV series was made in 2010 by Warner Bros. and ABC Family.

External links

Promotional website (archived)