Practical Magic

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Practical Magic

PG-13

Released Oct 16, 1998

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

26%

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102 Reviews

73%

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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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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

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.

Mar 30, 2019

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

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.

Rated: 1/4

Mar 30, 2019

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Practical Magic, in other words, is anything but magical. The only spell it casts will put you right to sleep.

Mar 30, 2019

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

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.

Jan 22, 2025

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

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.

Rated: 4/10

Dec 29, 2024

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Natasha Alvar

Hallmarkies Podcast

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

Oct 30, 2024

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Mark H

This movie was sooooo bad. it's a lesbian fever dream without the lesbian part (but tones of lesbian music). There are many lesibian themes here - relationships based on sisterhood, men are always to be removed (the curse), and so on. This movie is soooo bad, but I can see why it's a cult classic. I'm amazed they are making a sequel 27 years later.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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Nicholas B

Very underrated film. Once, I watched this film it gives a very interesting way of Halloween like concepts. It is a bit scary but it is a great Halloween film to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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Janett S

Me encanta, el tipo de historia que puedo ver en sábado de lluvia y en otoño

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

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Kaitlin M

(I can only speak to my experience but) One million stars if you are an adolescent girl at the time of first viewing and it continues to be a million stars every subsequent watch into adulthood. This movie is everything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/28/25

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Audience Member

My favorite movie of all time! Being based on a book there’s only so much you can cram into a movie but the pace is quick, soundtrack is epic, the dialogue is sharp (and endlessly memorable) “It’s not like he’s gona stay fresh, Gilly!” And for anyone who has ever lived in or visited New England, the seasonal changes (and that house!) are just everything. All time favorite hands down.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

Full Review

Fernando C

If this movie was released today (e.g. on a streamer) it would be a huge success. And it has a huge rewatch factor which means it's a classic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

Full Review

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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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31%

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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, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $46.8M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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