Practical Magic 2 has cast a spell over the North American box office, opening at No. 1 with an estimated $30 million from 4,146 theaters.
The Warner Bros. sequel also earned about $16 million from 77 international markets. As a result, its worldwide opening reached roughly $46 million. The film ended Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s six-week run at the top of the domestic chart.
However, the opening landed near the lower end of expectations. Variety described the debut as disappointing despite the film taking the top spot.
Audience Reaction Tells a Different Story
The most interesting part of the opening may not be the box-office total.
Instead, the gap between critics and audiences has drawn attention.
Practical Magic 2 has received a much warmer response from moviegoers than from critics. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the film with a 39% critics score and a 92% audience score.
That divide echoes the story of the original Practical Magic.
The 1998 movie received weak reviews when it first arrived in theaters. Yet audiences gradually embraced Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman’s supernatural sisterhood story.
Over the years, the movie developed a devoted following. It eventually became a popular Halloween-season favorite.
The sequel could follow a similar path if strong audience word of mouth continues.
Bullock and Kidman Return
Bullock and Kidman return as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens.
This time, the story moves the characters forward nearly three decades after the original film.
Sally now faces a new family crisis. The next generation also becomes increasingly connected to the Owens family curse.
The sequel draws from Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic, which expands the world of the Owens family.
Susanne Bier directs the movie, while Akiva Goldsman returns as a writer after working on the original film.
New Generation Joins the Owens Family
The sequel also introduces several new characters.
Joey King joins the cast alongside Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña and Lee Pace. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing also return as the beloved Owens aunts.
The new story brings the family’s magical problems into another generation. That gives the sequel a chance to attract longtime fans while introducing the franchise to younger audiences.
Meanwhile, the return of Bullock and Kidman remains one of the film’s biggest selling points.
CinemaScore Gives Sequel a B+
Early audience data offers Warner Bros. some encouragement.
Practical Magic 2 earned a B+ CinemaScore from opening-night audiences. That result improves on the original film’s B- grade.
The strong audience response could help the sequel maintain its momentum beyond opening weekend.
That matters because the film faces a difficult financial challenge. Its reported production budget stands at about $75 million before marketing costs, while the worldwide opening reached $46 million.
Therefore, the film will need solid weekend-to-weekend results to build a successful theatrical run.
Can Practical Magic 2 Become a Cult Hit?
The sequel’s first weekend offers a mixed picture.
On one hand, Practical Magic 2 easily claimed the No. 1 position. On the other, its $30 million opening fell short of the stronger expectations some analysts had set.
Still, audience enthusiasm gives Warner Bros. a reason for optimism.
The original Practical Magic did not become a cult favorite because of its opening weekend. Instead, years of repeat viewing and fan support transformed its reputation.
Now, Practical Magic 2 has a similar opportunity.
If audiences continue recommending the film, the sequel could build stronger legs through the fall season. For Warner Bros., the next few weekends will show whether the Owens sisters can turn their nostalgic comeback into a lasting box-office success.
