It’s nearly three decades since Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock introduced film fans to the Owens sisters — descendants of a long line of witches — in the 1998 film Practical Magic.
And now, 28 years later, the pair are stepping back into the roles of Gillian and Sally Owens for a belated sequel, Practical Magic 2, which will be cause for celebration for fans of the original movie (there’s a lot of them).
All of which means Nicole Kidman has been conjuring up a little magic of her own as she took to the red carpet with her co-stars for the US premiere of the film earlier this week.
The 59-year-old actress looked age-defying as she donned a dramatic, sheer black lace gown for the event at the Directors Village in Los Angeles on Monday.
The floor-length dress – which perfectly channelled the gothic themes and aesthetic of the film – featured an embroidered lace bodice over a nude panel, offset by a black lace skirt with a thigh-high slit.
She teamed the dress with pointy heels, also in a black lace design, finishing the look with a dramatic black lace choker and her blonde hair teased into loose voluminous waves.
Sandra Bullock, meanwhile, chose a similarly gothic look, as the pair posed together against a backdrop of leaves, vines and uneven paving stones.
The 62-year-old opted for a floor-length, fitted black velvet gown which featured a wide-pointed white collar and matching cuffs.
The two stars were joined by co-stars Maisie Williams and Joey King, who play Gillian and Sally’s daughters Antonia and Kylie.
The sequel also sees Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest reprise their roles from the original movie as eccentric Owens aunts Frances and Jet.
The original movie, based on the 1995 novel by Alice Hoffman, saw Nicole and Sandra play sisters who are descended from a long line of witches and who, following the death of their parents from a family curse, are raised by their aunts and taught to hone their ‘practical magic’ skills.
Years later, after Sally accidentally poisons Gillian’s abusive ex-boyfriend, the two have to rely on their powers to try and worm their way out of the criminal mess.
The follow-up, set 25 years after the events of the first film, sees the siblings facing a new crisis after hidden family secrets – and the origins of their magic – come to light.
Nicole originally confirmed in 2024 she would once again team up with Sandra for the sequel, telling People magazine: ”Yes I will be in it. And Sandy will be in it. And that’s that.’
She added: ‘There’s a lot more to tell which is why we go, “OK, this is kind of interesting now to be able to do this”. [We] found a way in.’
The original film wasn’t popular with critics or the public when it was released.
It holds a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on the reviews at the time, while it grossed less than its production budget of $75million (£58.9m) with $68.3m (£53.6m) worldwide.
However, it has since developed a cult following and even attempts to make a prequel TV series previously announced in 2010 and 2019 – although neither made it to the screen.
Practical Magic 2 will cast a spell over cinema viewers from September 11.
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