Warner Bros. has quietly pulled the plug on the theatrical run of Practical Magic 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 cult classic. After debuting on premium video-on-demand just a week ago, the film has seen its theater count plummet, effectively ending its time on the big screen.
The studio had high hopes for the project, launching it in over 4,000 theaters nationwide. But the movie failed to cast the same spell at the box office as some of its contemporaries, and it now seems destined to find its true audience at home. This mirrors the fate of the original Practical Magic, which had a modest theatrical run but later became a beloved favorite on DVD and television.
Directed by Susanne Bier, the sequel reunites Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the witchy Owens sisters, with newcomers Maisie Williams and Joey King joining the cast. The film arrived amid a wave of legacy sequels targeting similar audiences, including Hocus Pocus 2, Freakier Friday, The Devil Wears Prada 2, and the Mean Girls reboot. While Freakier Friday and Mean Girls pulled in $153 million and $105 million worldwide, respectively, Hocus Pocus 2 went straight to Disney+. The biggest winner of the bunch was The Devil Wears Prada 2, which amassed around $700 million globally this summer. Practical Magic 2, however, is now winding down its theatrical run with numbers closer to the lower end of that spectrum.
How Much Has Practical Magic 2 Grossed?
According to box office reports, Practical Magic 2 has grossed $105 million worldwide against a reported budget of $75 million. That's a modest return, especially when compared to the original film's $95 million gross on a similar budget. The sequel has now lost another 416 theaters, leaving it in just 147 locations as it enters its seventh week. That's a staggering drop of roughly 3,900 theaters since its debut.
Critics have been less than enchanted, with the film holding a 36% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences have been far more receptive, giving it a 90% approval rating. That strong audience response bodes well for its home-video future, and early signs are promising. According to FlixPatrol, Practical Magic 2 is currently one of the most popular titles on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu in the U.S.
While the theatrical run may be over, the film's journey is far from finished. As with its predecessor, it's likely to find a devoted following in the streaming and home entertainment market. For fans of the original, this sequel offers a nostalgic return to the world of the Owens family, and its strong audience scores suggest it will be a hit with those who missed it in theaters.
For more on the shifting landscape of theatrical releases, check out our coverage of another big release losing theaters and a film heading to streaming. And if you're curious about other fantasy films that struggled to find their footing, our list of fantasy flops might interest you.
Stay tuned for more updates on Practical Magic 2 and other box office stories.
