Practical Magic

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Practical Magic

PG-13

1998

1h 44m

Comedy

Fantasy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

27%

Tomatometer

102 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Sally and Gillian Owens, born into a magical family, have mostly avoided witchcraft themselves. But when Gillian's vicious boyfriend, Jimmy Angelov, dies unexpectedly, the Owens sisters give themselves a crash course in hard magic. With policeman Gary Hallet growing suspicious, the girls struggle to resurrect Angelov -- and unwittingly inject his corpse with an evil spirit that threatens to end their family line.

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Critics Consensus

Practical Magic's jarring tonal shifts sink what little potential its offbeat story may have -- though Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock's chemistry makes a strong argument for future collaborations.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Aug 6

4/5

A zanier adventure in occult romance can hardly be imagined, and the elements of grown up noir violence only make it weirder -- it is as if The Witches of Eastwick took on something of Thelma & Louise with a decaffeinated David Lynch.

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

03/30/2019

Filming in a golden-syrupy light, Dunne seems to have little ambition beyond making his stars look adorable (not tricky) and hoping we'll have forgotten most of The Witches of Eastwick.

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

03/30/2019

1/4

It doesn't seem as if there was much communication between the three screenwriters who are credited with adapting Alice Hoffman's novel. Perhaps they should have tried ESP.

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

01/22/2025

There’s a particular exhilaration to movies that veer off-road without announcement or apology—the “midnight margaritas” interlude in Practical Magic being one of the all-time joyful examples.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

12/29/2024

4/10

The majority of it is mischievousness, meddling in love lives, and wee-hour revelry; the bulk of the preternatural shenanigans are entirely frivolous – lending to something of a tonal mishmash.

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Natasha Alvar

Hallmarkies Podcast

10/30/2024

Iconic. Great soundtrack, great performances, good ensemble, and Aidan Quinn is the best romantic lead.

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Kay M

@Trippindicular 14h

I could watch this film on repeat. Magic, family, romance, and a curse. The graphics need work, but I would recommend it.

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Stu F

@RT43701610 3d

This is a great example of how wrong established critics can be. Practical Magic has been a family favorite for many years and it still holds up on the perpetual strength of Sandra Bullock's indisputable charm. Kidman is terrific as the wild sister. Stockard Channing and Diane Wiest make perfectly adorable crazy aunties. Toss in Aiden Quinn for the love interest and it's a bubbly cauldron of fun!

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RJ F

@rj702 Aug 7

Great cast. Enjoyed watching it.

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Justin G

@RT99424106 Jul 12

This movie felt like a very average 90s/early 2000s movie to me. Being someone who was raised in the early 2000s, I had another reason to like this movie. The story was ok. It had its flaws, but the story was fun, and I think that’s an important thing to highlight. The acting in this movie was so good. Especially the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Another con of this movie is the villain and the way they beat the character. I neither recommend nor not recommend seeing this film.

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Ingvanye V

@Ingvanye Jul 2

The negative critics need to find another job. This movie is magical. The photography and lighting is ethereal and atmospheric, the sets are beautiful. That kitchen alone needs its own series. The movie addresses important topics like DV and abuse, justice, acceptance, and family support. I’m surprised in this day and age that the negative critic reviewers seem to have completely missed this.

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Laurel Z.

@RT28923952 Jun 26

Loved it. Critics need to stop over-thinking. Just good fun.

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Griffin Dunne

Director

Sandra Bullock

Sally Owens

Nicole Kidman

Gillian Owens

Dianne Wiest

Aunt Bridget 'Jet' Owens

Stockard Channing

Frances Owens

Aidan Quinn

Officer Gary Hallet

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29%

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Synopsis

Sally and Gillian Owens, born into a magical family, have mostly avoided witchcraft themselves. But when Gillian's vicious boyfriend, Jimmy Angelov, dies unexpectedly, the Owens sisters give themselves a crash course in hard magic. With policeman Gary Hallet growing suspicious, the girls struggle to resurrect Angelov -- and unwittingly inject his corpse with an evil spirit that threatens to end their family line.

Director: Griffin Dunne
Producer: Denise Di Novi
Screenwriter: Alice Hoffman, Robin Swicord, Akiva Goldsman, Adam Brooks
Distributor: Warner Bros., Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Fortis Films, Warner Brothers, DiNovi Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 1998, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $46.8M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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