The original Practical Magic film (1998) has probably been watched at least once, if not more, by most witches.  So the witchcraft community has awaited the sequel with bated breath.  It came out this month (September 2026).  But what did we think?

Here are reviews from some of our Moon Books authors:

Morgan Daimler:

Darker and less whimsical than the original, this sequel still brings heart and humour and is a good continuation of the first story. There are some obvious plot holes; the ending felt rushed, and the portions set in England reflect US romanticism more than reality, but despite that, it is a fun movie that kept me engaged throughout.  Bullock & Kidman make Sally and Gillian’s relationship feel real, and Gillian has many great one-liners that had me laughing more than I’d expected too. Those who liked the portrayal of magic in the first movie may find the amped up CGI magic in this one over the top, but there were some truly beautiful moments as well. The aunts are amazing, and their subplot was a highlight throughout. Despite its flaws, it carries the story forward well, and I give it 4 midnight margaritas out of 5.

Ness Bosch:

I am a huge fan of the first movie, and although I enjoyed part 2, it was not a complete homecoming for me. I love the interaction between the original cast and the storyline, which reinforced the sense of connection between the Owen women. For me, the new generation of sisters didn’t interact enough, and I wish we could have seen more of Maisie/Antonia. Also, Gillian, after all this time, should have gained a bit more depth.

Things that didn’t click for me: How the book is found; the whole story about the book didn’t make sense either. The star on the ground of the manor made me roll my eyes. Loved the professor, but why is Sally the one who gets to fall in love with the cool guy? In some way, I expected more, I think, but still, it feels good to go back to the Owens and their universe. I hope there is another sequel to come so we get to see the younger generation really taking the role as they grow in knowledge and power.

Karen Tate:

It was a long-awaited and fun romp. A rom-com with a magical twist. Loved the new angle that took the story to early England and the strong sisterhood theme. Glad I saw it. Feels like a part of movie herstory.

Lucya Starza:

Most of the witches I’ve chatted to loved Practical Magic 2, and I’m really pleased that’s so. Sadly, I didn’t. I wanted to. I adore the first movie and rushed to see the new one on the first evening it was shown near me. Sadly, I felt disappointed. For me, it’s not as good as the original movie. There were some things I enjoyed about it. It was great to meet the familiar characters again and have another view of their gorgeous home. I also liked the dishy new bit of thinking witch’s crumpet who was introduced. Yum. However, the plot was less solid than that of the first film, and I felt uncomfortable with the ending. I won’t give spoilers, so I’m not going into details. I also thought the portrayal of the English countryside was rather silly. The vehicles and the clothes people wore outside London were like those of the 1930s or maybe 1950s. It felt like I was watching a touristy heritage-themed event, even though the movie is set in the 2000s. There were also too many English characters who talked with a clipped BBC-style accent of bygone eras. These anachronisms jarred so much with me that I couldn’t feel immersed in the story. I will watch it again, and I very much hope I enjoy it more on the second viewing.

JoAnna Farrer

I first saw Practical Magic as a young teen witch, and I’ve loved it ever since. My coven rewatches it almost every Halloween, and I’m pretty sure that parts of the garden I’ve created around my own farm home were influenced by the beauty of the Owens home and garden. One of the things I’ve always loved about the original film is the importance of place and home in it. Magic belongs to the Owens sisters, but it also belongs to the house, the garden, and the community around them, in their small town. In the first film, the same place that holds the wounds and secrets of the past eventually becomes the place where something different can happen – where healing is possible. Practical Magic 2 is light, fun, and I’m certain I’ll go back to see it again before it leaves theatres. But I found myself wishing the sequel had gone deeper into Sally and Gillian and their magic, or how the daughters were dealing with their own turn of the wheel as witches, and what that inheritance meant for them. Instead, it felt like the writers designed their plot to give us comfortable echoes of the things we already loved in the first film. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman were wonderful together, and I was so happy to see the two aunts on screen again, but ultimately, I came away wishing the filmmakers had trusted what made the original magical, and allowed this second story to bloom into something stranger and newer.

And a video review from Heather Dewhurst: