Revisiting 1998’s whimsy and goth cult classic Practical Magic

📽🧹🧙 The season of the witch is almost upon us, and few films capture the balance of whimsy and goth that defines Halloween quite like the ‘90s classic Practical Magic. In celebration of the highly anticipated sequel hitting theaters this weekend, we couldn’t not revisit the iconic Sandra Bullock- and Nicole Kidman-led adaptation of Alice Hoffman’s bestselling novel — although, honestly, we would’ve revisited it anyway to kickstart the cozy fall season.

REFRESHER- The Owen sisters — level-headed Sally (Bullock) and free-spirited Gillian (Kidman) — are born into an ancestral curse that has haunted the women in their family for generations: any man an Owens woman falls in love with is doomed to die. After their parents die, the sisters move in with their charming, mischievous witch aunts, Frances and Jet, where they grow up learning the thrilling but dangerous ways of witchcraft. In their suburban town, their reputation as witches precedes them, and the locals go out of their way to avoid them.

As the sisters grow up under warnings about men and relationships, each faces her own trouble when it comes to love — but the same curse follows them both. Sally finds love with a local man and has two daughters with him, only to lose him to the family curse. Gillian, meanwhile, moves out of town and falls for a man whose charm eventually gives way to obsession and abuse. When she seeks Sally’s help, the sisters accidentally kill him. Naturally, they resort to magic to cover up their fluky crime, but there’s one catch: resurrecting the dead is forbidden. As they confront the darker consequences of their foul play, the message becomes clear: where does fate end and magic begin?

What we liked: Practical Magic is as ‘90s as a movie can get. It boasts an addictive, feel-good vibe, cozy, colorful visuals, an eccentrically charming and distinctive house, tight-knit relationships, and just the right amount of nonsense that we’re more than happy to entertain with a little suspension of disbelief. It gives a fresh, human take on the supernatural and, while embracing some darker themes, remains light-hearted, absurd, and wholesome at heart.

The verdict: Practical Magic, for us, satisfies almost every movie craving: comedy, adventure, romance, family, and fantasy — and given its cult following, we’re surely not the only ones. If you’ve got less than two hours to spare one night, settle in, get cozy, and enjoy a little nostalgic fantasy and witchcraft. Who knows? You might feel tempted to catch Practical Magic 2 later this week.

WHERE TO WATCH- Practical Magic is streaming on OSN+ and Apple TV. Watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 1:44).