‘Practical Magic 2’ casts spell at box office with $30 million debut
TLE Desk: “Practical Magic 2” opened at the top of the North American box office, nearly three decades after the original film became a cult favourite.
The Warner Bros. sequel starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman earned an estimated $30 million from 4,146 cinemas in the United States and Canada, according to Rentrak estimates. It ended “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”’s six-week run at the top of the domestic chart.
The film added another $16 million from 77 international markets, taking its worldwide opening to about $46 million. Its North American debut was at the lower end of Warner Bros.’ projected $30 million-$35 million range, while the production reportedly cost $75 million.
Directed by Susanne Bier, “Practical Magic 2” reunites Bullock and Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, members of a family of witches affected by an ancestral curse. The sequel follows their efforts to break the curse while introducing a younger generation of the Owens family, played by Joey King and Maisie Williams.
The film arrives 28 years after the original “Practical Magic”, which earned $46 million during its initial North American theatrical run before developing a devoted following through home viewing, streaming and social media.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” fell to second place with $8.4 million, taking its North American total to about $935.2 million. Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” ranked third with $7.4 million, bringing its worldwide total to $1.68 billion.
The latest “Practical Magic” film received mixed reviews, although critics highlighted the chemistry between Bullock and Kidman. Box-office analysts said the sequel’s performance in its second weekend will be important in determining whether it can maintain its momentum.
