‘Practical Magic 2’ Expected to Achieve Warner Bros. Biggest Opening Weekend of 2026

Nostalgia-driven sequels have emerged as a reliable box office strategy for Hollywood in recent years, with studios increasingly banking on beloved ’90s and 2000s properties to entice audiences back into theaters. Few upcoming releases exemplify this trend as perfectly as the highly anticipated follow-up to a supernatural family drama that initially struggled at the box office decades ago.

The original film, 1998’s ‘Practical Magic,’ garnered just $46.7 million domestically against a reported $75 million budget, marking it as a theatrical disappointment despite eventually cultivating a devoted cult following on home video and cable. Over the years, that fanbase has continued to grow, paving the way for a sequel that industry analysts now predict will significantly outperform its predecessor.

The sequel, ‘Practical Magic 2,’ is currently projected to open with over $40 million at the domestic box office, according to early tracking estimates. This projection would not only mark the film’s franchise-best domestic debut but also provide Warner Bros. with its first release of 2026 to surpass the $40 million mark in its opening weekend.

Various box office analysts have provided slightly differing estimates for the film’s opening weekend, with projections ranging from $30 million to $54 million based on the source. Box Office Theory has been among the more optimistic forecasters, estimating a range as high as $46.5 million, while EmpireCity Box Office anticipates an opening above $40 million, bolstered by notably strong advance ticket sales.

To provide context, the original ‘Practical Magic’ opened to just $13.1 million back in 1998, a figure the sequel is now expected to more than triple, even before adjusting for inflation. This significant increase highlights the cultural cachet the franchise has amassed over the years, largely driven by the enduring popularity of stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

Both Bullock and Kidman reprise their roles as witch sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, with director Susanne Bier taking the helm for the sequel. Bier has previously collaborated with Bullock on ‘Bird Box’ and with Kidman on both ‘The Undoing’ and ‘The Perfect Couple,’ establishing strong creative relationships with both leading stars ahead of production.

Analysts have pointed to recent box office performances from both stars as reasonable indicators for the sequel’s potential. Bullock’s 2022 film ‘The Lost City’ opened to $30.4 million, while her 2018 heist comedy ‘Ocean’s Eight’ debuted to $41.6 million. These comparisons suggest that the current tracking estimates are well within the realm of what both stars have proven capable of drawing at the box office in recent years.

Part of the optimism surrounding the film’s opening can be attributed to the relatively light competition it faces during its release window. The sequel will open against smaller titles such as ‘Runner,’ ‘The Uprising,’ and ‘Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger,’ none of which are expected to pose a significant box office threat, with Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ being the only notable release arriving the following week.

‘Practical Magic 2’ also introduces new cast members including Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly McLeod, joining the returning stars as the story follows the Owens sisters as they confront a dark family curse that has plagued their bloodline for generations. The film is based on Alice Hoffman’s original 1995 novel, providing a direct literary connection back to the source material that inspired the first movie.

If the film’s opening weekend numbers align with current projections, ‘Practical Magic 2’ would represent a rare instance of a theatrical flop giving rise to a sequel that vastly outperforms the original at the box office. Whether this success translates into a broader franchise revival remains to be seen once the film officially opens.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!