‘Practical Magic 2’ Tracking $45M+ Opening, the Latest Sign of Hollywood’s ’90s/‘00s Nostalgia Boom

I will mention this again: late ‘90s, early 2000s nostalgia is all the rage these days in Hollywood, which quickly noticed how the moviegoing public is craving sequels not just to popular hits from that decade, but also to semi-popular fare.

It’s a free-for-all at the moment, with “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Freakier Friday,” “Scary Movie 6,” “28 Years Later,” “Gladiator II,” “Twisters,” and “Final Destination.” Upcoming: “Shrek 5,” “The Mummy 4,” “National Treasure 3,” “I Am Legend 2,” “Constantine 2,” “Rush Hour 4,” and “The Princess Diaries 2.”

Up next is “Practical Magic 2,” the sequel to the 1998 film, dated for a September 18 release via Warner Bros. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back, with an ensemble that includes Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, Joey King, Maisie Williams, and Lee Pace.

Turns out, presales have been phenomenal for the film, with EmpireCity Box Office predicting a $40M+ opening weekend. Meanwhile, Box Office Theory is a little more bullish, predicting $46.5M. These numbers are astounding, considering the first film limped to a $68M global box office on a $75M budget and earned mixed reviews, at best. Of course, there wouldn’t be a sequel without a cult following—and over the years, that’s exactly what “Practical Magic” managed to build.

“Practical Magic” told the story of two witchy sisters, played by Kidman and Bullock, raised by their charmingly oddball aunts in a small town that didn’t take kindly to their magical leanings. They also had to deal with a family curse that ensured heartbreak for any man they dared to love.

Susanne Bier is directing—Bier previously worked with Bullock on “Bird Box” and with Kidman on both “The Undoing” and the upcoming “The Perfect Couple.” Bullock will reprise her role as Sally Owens, while Kidman returns as her wild-child sister, Gillian.

Akiva Goldsman, who co-wrote the original screenplay, is back to write the sequel. Goldsman’s most notable screenwriting credits include “The Client,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “Cinderella Man,” “I Am Legend,” “Constantine,” and—gulp—“Batman & Robin.”

The sequel looks like a vehicle to reunite Kidman and Bullock—and hey, why not? Moviegoers are responding. This might turn out to be Warner Bros.’ biggest hit of the year—until “Dune 3” comes out—and will easily outpace “Supergirl.”