It's happening. Honestly, if you told me five years ago that we’d actually get a sequel to a 1998 cult classic about sisterhood and midnight margaritas, I would’ve said you’re dreaming. But Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock are officially back. Practical Magic 2 isn't just a rumor anymore; it’s a full-blown production that has fans of the Owens sisters losing their minds.
Most people think this is just a quick "legacy sequel" cash grab. You know the type. They bring back the original stars for a five-minute cameo, charge you for the nostalgia, and leave the heavy lifting to a cast of teenagers nobody knows. But that’s not what’s going on here. Kidman isn't just showing up; she’s producing the thing alongside Bullock. They are deeply in the trenches of this story.
Why Practical Magic 2 Is Way More Than a Nostalgia Trip
The original film was famously trashed by critics when it first came out. It sat at a measly 24% on Rotten Tomatoes for years. But the fans? We didn't care. We turned it into a seasonal ritual. We obsessed over the Victorian house, the botanical magic, and that specific, messy bond between Gillian and Sally.
The new film with Nicole Kidman, officially titled Practical Magic 2, is actually aiming for a September 18, 2026, release date. That's a long wait, I know. But there’s a reason for the slow burn. This isn't just "The Owens Sisters Part 2." It’s actually based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel, The Book of Magic.
If you haven't read it, basically, the stakes are way higher than just a dead abusive boyfriend buried in the garden. The curse that has haunted the Owens women for centuries—the one where any man they love dies—is still very much a thing. But now, they have to deal with a new generation of witches. Maisie Williams and Joey King have joined the cast, playing the younger Owens lineage. It’s a multi-generational reckoning with what it actually means to be a "witch" in 2026.
The Kidman "Era of Risk" Continues
Kidman is in a weirdly brave place in her career right now. Look at Babygirl. That movie was polarizing as hell. She played Romy, a high-powered CEO who starts this intense, submissive affair with an intern (Harris Dickinson). People were shocked. Some critics at Venice called it her "bravest" work, while others found the power dynamics uncomfortable.
She won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for that role. She didn't have to do it. She's Nicole Kidman. She has the Oscars, the money, and the status. But she keeps picking these roles that make people twitch in their seats.
Coming from the raw, exposed nerves of Babygirl straight into the whimsical (but dark) world of Practical Magic 2 shows you exactly how her mind works. She wants the "strange." She’s always been better at playing women with secrets than playing the perfect mother or the standard hero. Gillian Owens was always the wilder sister, the one who ran away, the one who got possessed by an evil spirit. Returning to that character in her late 50s? That's going to be fascinating to watch.
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What Really Happened With the Production?
Production for the sequel kicked off in July 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK. They wrapped up around mid-September. Susanne Bier is directing, which is a huge deal. You’ve probably seen her work with Kidman before on The Undoing. Bier doesn't do "light and fluffy." She does "tense and atmospheric."
- The Cast: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are the anchors.
- The Aunts: Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest are reportedly returning. Thank god. It wouldn't be the same without them.
- The New Blood: Lee Pace and Xolo Maridueña have signed on, adding some serious acting chops to the male side of the cast.
- The Creative Team: Akiva Goldsman, who wrote the first one, is back for the screenplay.
The vibe on set was supposedly very emotional. Kidman actually mentioned in an interview that the sequel is meant to "honor" the original without just "reinventing the wheel." It’s about the legacy of those characters.
The Scarpetta Factor: Nicole's 2026 Takeover
If you think Practical Magic 2 is the only thing she's doing, you're wrong. Kidman is basically living on set. She’s also starring in Scarpetta for Prime Video, which is set to drop in March 2026.
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She's playing Kay Scarpetta, the iconic forensic pathologist from Patricia Cornwell’s books. This has been a passion project for her for nearly twenty years. It’s a gritty, two-timeline crime thriller. She’s starring alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays her sister Dorothy. Honestly, the Kidman/Curtis sister dynamic might be the only thing that can rival the Kidman/Bullock sister dynamic.
The industry is calling this her "2026 Takeover." Between a massive Amazon series and a blockbuster sequel to a beloved classic, she’s everywhere.
Dealing With the "AI" Criticisms of Her Recent Work
I have to be real for a second. There’s been a lot of chatter lately about "The Nicole Kidman Formula." You know the one—wealthy woman, beautiful house, dark secret, lots of coats. The Perfect Couple on Netflix was a massive hit, but some people felt it was a bit... polished? A bit too much like a high-end luxury commercial?
The fear is that Practical Magic 2 might fall into that trap. The original 1998 movie was gritty and weird. It felt lived-in. The house was messy. The hair was frizzy. If the sequel becomes too "Netflix-ified," it might lose the soul that made us love it in the first place.
However, Susanne Bier directing gives me hope. She knows how to make beautiful things look slightly dangerous. And Kidman? She seems to be pushing back against her own "perfect" image. Her performance in Babygirl was a direct middle finger to the idea that she’s only interested in playing the polished socialite.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
If you’re excited about the return of the Owens sisters, there are a few things you should actually do to prepare, because this isn't going to be a simple re-hash.
- Read 'The Book of Magic' by Alice Hoffman. The movie is using this as its primary source material. It introduces the characters of Kylie and Antonia, and it explains how the curse finally comes to a head. It will give you a much better sense of where Gillian and Sally are in their lives now.
- Keep an eye on the Prime Video schedule for 'Scarpetta' (March 11, 2026). If you want to see Kidman in "detective mode" before she goes back to "witch mode," this is the one to watch. It’s 8 episodes and covers two different timelines.
- Don't expect a remake. This is a continuation. The 2026 release date for Practical Magic 2 means we have plenty of time for trailers, but the early word is that the tone is much closer to a "family epic" than a "romantic comedy."
- Revisit 'Babygirl' on Max. If you want to understand Kidman’s current acting headspace, you have to see this. It explains why she’s choosing projects that deal with power, control, and late-in-life self-discovery.
Nicole Kidman isn't slowing down. She's leaning into the weirdness, the age-defying roles, and the characters that refuse to behave. Whether she's performing a "midnight margarita" dance or autopsying a body in Virginia, she's proving that her second act is even more interesting than her first.
Next Steps for Your Movie Watchlist:
- Bookmark the release date: September 18, 2026, for the theatrical release of Practical Magic 2.
- Watch the Scarpetta Trailer: It’s expected to drop in late 2025.
- Sign up for Prime Video: You'll need it for the Scarpetta premiere in March.