Practical Magic 2 Rotten Tomatoes results are now available as the long-awaited sequel arrives in U.S. theaters, with the film earning a 35% Tomatometer score from 43 critics on Rotten Tomatoes as of September 10, 2026. The sequel reunites Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as Sally and Gillian Owens nearly 28 years after the original film. Early reviews praise the chemistry between the returning stars, but many critics have criticized the screenplay, pacing and lengthy runtime. The movie is now playing in theaters nationwide, giving audiences the opportunity to decide whether the Owens sisters’ return lives up to the original’s enduring cult following.
Practical Magic 2 Rotten Tomatoes Score Explained
The current Rotten Tomatoes score puts Practical Magic 2 in the site’s “Rotten” category. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the movie at 35%, based on 43 critic reviews. The audience score is not yet established because the site shows zero verified audience ratings at the time of writing.
The score has moved during the review rollout. Earlier reports placed the movie in the low 30s before additional reviews were added. The current figure should therefore be treated as the latest available snapshot rather than a permanent final score.
The 35% result also gives the sequel a modest advantage over the original film’s critical reception. The 1998 Practical Magic finished with a 30% Tomatometer score after its initial theatrical run.
That comparison is interesting because the first movie eventually developed a strong following despite its poor critical reception. Its reputation changed substantially over the years, particularly among audiences who embraced the Owens sisters, their relationship and the film’s distinctive mix of romance, comedy and supernatural fantasy.
The sequel faces a different challenge. Fans have spent years imagining a return for Bullock and Kidman, so expectations are considerably higher than they were when the first film opened in 1998.
What Critics Are Saying About the Sequel
Reviews for Practical Magic 2 are mixed, but there is one consistent positive theme: Bullock and Kidman’s return remains one of the film’s biggest strengths.
Several reviews recognize the natural chemistry between the two actresses. Their performances recreate the sisterly relationship that helped make the original memorable. Joey King has also attracted positive attention for her role as Kylie Owens, bringing a new generation into the story.
The criticism focuses more heavily on the film surrounding those performances.
Reviewers have pointed to an overextended story, uneven pacing and a screenplay that does not always capture the atmosphere of the original. Some critics have also questioned the development of newer characters, particularly as the story attempts to balance the returning stars with the younger Owens generation.
Rotten Tomatoes’ review collection reflects that split. Positive reviews highlight the reunion and sisterhood, while negative reviews describe the sequel as sluggish, messy or lacking the original’s particular charm.
The result is a film that appears to work best for viewers who primarily want to spend more time with Sally and Gillian. Critics looking for a tightly constructed continuation of the 1998 story have been considerably less enthusiastic.
The Return of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman once again lead the franchise as Sally and Gillian Owens. Their return is central to the sequel’s appeal and represents one of the longest gaps between original and sequel for two major stars returning to the same roles.
Susanne Bier directs the new movie, while Bullock and Kidman also serve as producers. The creative team includes screenwriters Akiva Goldsman and Georgia Pritchett. Denise Di Novi is also among the producers.
Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing return as Jet and Frances, continuing the connection to the original Owens family. Joey King and Maisie Williams join the principal cast as the younger generation, while Lee Pace also appears as Ian Wright.
The story expands the franchise beyond the original sisters. Sally’s daughters Kylie and Antonia become important to the next chapter of the Owens family, giving the sequel a generational angle rather than simply repeating the structure of the 1998 movie.
That approach gives the movie a chance to appeal to longtime fans while introducing the world to viewers who may be discovering the franchise for the first time.
Where to Watch Practical Magic 1
For viewers who want to revisit the original before seeing the sequel, Practical Magic is currently available through HBO Max in the United States. Streaming availability also includes HBO Max through Amazon Channel, while television-based options include services carrying TNT, TBS and truTV.
The 1998 movie can also be rented or purchased digitally through platforms including Amazon Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home. Current rental and purchase prices vary by platform and format.
The original stars Bullock as Sally Owens and Kidman as Gillian Owens. The sisters grow up under the influence of their witchcraft-practicing aunts while dealing with a family curse surrounding romantic relationships.
Watching the first movie provides useful background for the sequel because the new story continues the Owens family’s supernatural history. It also makes the return of the original cast more meaningful.
As of September 10, 2026, Practical Magic is not currently streaming on Netflix. HBO Max remains one of the principal subscription options for U.S. viewers who want to watch the original online.
Practical Magic 2 Opening Weekend Outlook
The sequel is entering the weekend with meaningful commercial expectations despite its mixed critical reception. Industry tracking has placed the domestic opening-weekend range broadly around $30 million to $40 million, with some forecasts projecting a stronger result in the low-to-mid $40 million range.
Boxoffice Pro’s latest weekend preview places its domestic opening forecast at $40 million to $50 million for September 11–13. That forecast puts Practical Magic 2 in position to challenge for the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office.
Other industry projections remain more conservative. Variety reports an expected $30 million to $40 million domestic debut from approximately 4,000 North American theaters, with another $18 million to $25 million projected internationally.
These are forecasts, not final box-office results.
That distinction matters because the movie has only just entered theaters. The actual opening weekend will depend on Thursday previews, Friday attendance, weekend holdover behavior and the response from general audiences.
The original Practical Magic opened in October 1998 and generated $13.1 million during its opening weekend. It eventually finished with about $46.9 million domestically and $68.3 million worldwide.
The sequel’s current tracking therefore points toward a substantially larger opening than the first movie achieved.
Why the Opening Weekend Matters
The commercial performance of Practical Magic 2 will provide an important measure of the strength of nostalgia-driven theatrical releases in 2026.
The sequel benefits from two major advantages. First, Bullock and Kidman remain highly recognizable stars. Second, the original movie has gained cultural staying power since its initial theatrical release.
The film is also arriving at a relatively favorable point in the fall calendar. Boxoffice Pro expects the sequel to lead the domestic weekend, with a projected $40 million to $50 million range.
That forecast comes despite the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score.
The contrast between critical reception and commercial interest could become one of the most notable aspects of the release. A movie can attract audiences because of established characters and performers even when critics are divided.
That possibility is particularly relevant here because Practical Magic itself followed a similar long-term path. The original did not receive strong reviews or become a major box-office sensation in 1998, yet its reputation continued to grow.
Release Date and Current Theater Status
Warner Bros. Pictures is distributing Practical Magic 2. The official movie site lists September 10, 2026, as the North American theatrical release date, with international releases beginning earlier in some markets.
Rotten Tomatoes lists the film as a wide theatrical release with a PG-13 rating and a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The rating covers brief strong language, suggestive material and some violent content.
The film is therefore currently a theatrical release rather than a streaming title.
For audiences who want to see it immediately, the practical option is to check local theater listings for September 10 showtimes and the following weekend. Digital rental and subscription-streaming availability for the sequel has not been announced as a current viewing option.
Will the Rotten Tomatoes Score Change?
Yes, the score can change as more reviews are added.
Rotten Tomatoes calculates the Tomatometer from eligible critic reviews, so a film’s percentage may rise or fall as additional reviews arrive. The current 35% figure reflects the reviews counted on the site at the time of writing.
The audience score is also not yet meaningful because Rotten Tomatoes currently lists zero verified ratings for the sequel.
That means viewers should not treat the current critic percentage as the complete picture of how audiences will respond.
The eventual audience reception could be especially important for Practical Magic 2. The franchise’s strength has always been closely tied to its fans, and the original movie’s long-term popularity demonstrates how audience affection can outlast an initial critical response.
How the Sequel Compares With the Original
The numbers provide an interesting contrast between the two movies:
| Category | Practical Magic | Practical Magic 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Original theatrical release | October 16, 1998 | September 10, 2026 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer | 30% | 35% currently |
| Opening weekend | $13.1 million | Final result not yet available |
| Domestic box office | $46.9 million | Not yet available |
| Worldwide box office | $68.3 million | Not yet available |
| Lead stars | Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman | Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman |
| Director | Griffin Dunne | Susanne Bier |
| Rating | PG-13 | PG-13 |
The sequel currently has a slightly higher critic score than the original, but the commercial comparison cannot yet be made because its opening weekend has not finished.
The major difference is the size of the audience waiting for the sequel. The original had no established franchise audience when it opened. The 2026 movie arrives with nearly three decades of familiarity behind it.
What Happens Next for Practical Magic 2
The immediate focus now shifts from critic reviews to audience turnout and the final domestic opening-weekend numbers.
The sequel has already achieved one important milestone: Sally and Gillian Owens are back on the big screen. Whether that return becomes a major box-office success will become clearer once the weekend numbers arrive.
For viewers who have been waiting to revisit the Owens family, the release also offers an opportunity to experience the original film again before or after seeing the new chapter.
At present, the clearest picture is a movie with strong nostalgia value, a recognizable cast and significant opening-weekend expectations, but a critical reception that remains firmly mixed.
The Rotten Tomatoes figure may continue changing, and the opening-weekend forecast may move once actual ticket sales are reported. For now, the sequel’s theatrical launch represents a significant test of how far the popularity of a late-1990s cult favorite can carry a modern studio sequel.
Stay tuned as the latest Rotten Tomatoes score, audience reaction and official opening-weekend results continue to develop, and share your take on whether the Owens sisters’ return lives up to the original.