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The Witches Return: Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock Reunite for ‘Practical Magic 2’
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock have officially reunited on the set of “Practical Magic 2,” as confirmed by a heartfelt Instagram video posted by Kidman on July 18, 2025. Captioned “The witches are back. Owens sisters’ first day on set!” the video shows the two stars embracing, signaling the much-anticipated continuation of the beloved story of the magical Owens family.
The sequel, directed by Susanne Bier and slated for a September 18, 2026 theatrical release, marks 27 years since Kidman and Bullock first portrayed witch sisters Gillian and Sally Owens in the 1998 film based on Alice Hoffman’s novel. The return of Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing as the eccentric aunts, along with newcomers Joey King, Maisie Williams, Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly McLeod, promises to expand the Owens family saga for a new generation.
While official plot details for “Practical Magic 2” remain under wraps, the original film has long resonated with LGBTQ+ viewers. Audiences have celebrated its unapologetic embrace of “otherness,” the power of found family, and its depiction of women—often outsiders—creating their own communities and rewriting the rules of love and belonging. The film’s cult status within queer circles is partly rooted in its themes of resilience and acceptance, as well as its portrayal of bonds that transcend traditional norms.
The casting of openly queer and LGBTQ+-affirming actors for the sequel, including the addition of Maisie Williams and Joey King, is notable for a community that values representation both on and off screen. “Practical Magic” has often been read as a metaphor for the queer experience: the Owens women, marked as different by society, find strength and liberation in each other—a narrative that echoes the lived realities of many LGBTQ+ individuals.
With Susanne Bier at the helm—a director known for her nuanced portrayals of complex relationships—hopes are high that “Practical Magic 2” will continue to center themes of acceptance, empowerment, and love in all forms. The film’s multi-generational cast and the return of key creative voices such as screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (who penned the original) suggest a reverence for the story’s roots alongside a willingness to explore new dimensions.
As conversations around inclusivity and intersectionality in media evolve, the sequel’s production is being closely watched by LGBTQ+ fans eager for stories that reflect the diversity of their own communities. The original’s legacy—bolstered by scenes of midnight margaritas, spells cast for forbidden love, and the persistent fight against generational curses—has set a high bar for the sequel to both honor and expand.
The social media response to Kidman’s announcement has been swift and enthusiastic, with fans and advocacy groups alike highlighting the film’s significance as a touchstone of queer pop culture. The first film’s depiction of supportive female relationships and survival in the face of prejudice continues to inspire LGBTQ+ viewers, who see in the Owens sisters a reflection of their own journeys toward self-acceptance and joy.
As production continues, the creative team has an opportunity to deepen the story’s engagement with themes relevant to queer and marginalized communities. Whether through explicit representation or allegorical resonance, “Practical Magic 2” stands poised to offer both nostalgia and fresh magic for audiences of all backgrounds when it arrives in theaters in 2026.
