Practical Magic

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Practical Magic

PG-13

1998

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

27%

Tomatometer

101 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)

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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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

03/30/2019

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

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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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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo Jan 20

Bullock and Kidman in their prime, clear tonality and women versus bad dudes is all right. I’m just not into witches and possessions.

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Gene B.

@GeneBrissie Dec 27

Good cast. Weak movie based on a weak novel.

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Geri H.

@Ghlowe Nov 20

Great cast. Love the story line.

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Ajai V.

@Mrajvasquez Nov 17

Great movie. I love

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Juan A.

@itscheezybaby Nov 17

It’s kinda crazy because I think she has a solid rep in acting but Sandra Bullock has been in some stinkers.

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Alysha S

Nov 13

4.55. I don't get why critics do not like it.

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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%

33%

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48%

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33%

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34%

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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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