Practical Magic

Practical Magic is a 1998 American romantic fantasy film directed by Griffin Dunne and adapted from Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel of the same name. The screenplay is credited to Robin Swicord, Akiva Goldsman, and Adam Brooks. Sandra Bullock plays Sally Owens, while Nicole Kidman plays her younger sister, Gillian. They descend from the Owens women of Massachusetts, whose ancestor Maria Owens was condemned for witchcraft and created a spell that made her incapable of falling in love. The spell becomes a family curse: men who love Owens women are fated to die. The film combines comedy, folklore, grief and investigation.

After their parents die, Sally and Gillian are raised by their eccentric aunts Frances and Jet, played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. As adults Sally tries to build an ordinary life away from magic, marrying Michael and becoming mother to daughters Antonia and Kylie. Michael is killed by a truck, apparently confirming the curse. Gillian meanwhile escapes a violent relationship with Jimmy Angelov, portrayed by Goran Višnjić. When Jimmy threatens the sisters they accidentally kill him. Their attempted resurrection spell goes wrong, leaving Jimmy’s spirit able to possess Gillian. Sisters need their aunts' knowledge and support to confront him.

The film’s supporting cast includes Aidan Quinn as police officer Gary Hallet who investigates Jimmy’s disappearance and falls for Sally, Evan Rachel Wood as Kylie and Margo Martindale as Linda Bennett. One of its best-known sequences has the aunts and sisters drinking midnight margaritas and dancing in the kitchen. Later the Owens women summon a group of local women to help expel Jimmy’s spirit from Gillian. The climax alters the curse’s meaning by stressing love rather than its avoidance. Warner Bros. released it in North America on October 16, 1998. It earned about $46.7 million in domestic ticket sales overall.

Alan Silvestri composed the score and Andrew Dunn was the director of photography. Faith Hill’s “This Kiss” appears on the soundtrack alongside “If You Ever Did Believe” by Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow. Reviews were mixed, and the film did not become a major theatrical success relative to its reported budget. Over time however it developed a cult following especially through home viewing and seasonal Halloween programming. Its reputation rests on Bullock and Kidman’s pairing, the Channing-Wiest aunt characters, and an unusually affectionate treatment of female kinship. A sequel Practical Magic 2 was officially announced by Warner Bros in 2024.