Hollywood star Sandra Bullock on 17 October 2026 celebrated 28 years of her 1998 fantasy romantic drama Practical Magic, reflecting on the film's journey from a polarising critical reception to a deeply cherished cult classic — and teasing what comes next with Practical Magic 2.

A Film That Found Its Audience

Taking to Instagram, Bullock shared a series of pictures and videos from the original film, which was based on the 1995 novel by Alice Hoffman and directed by Griffin Dunne. The actress acknowledged the film's rocky debut, noting that critics at the time argued it had 'too many women', a tone that 'couldn't quite find its footing', and was 'somehow too scary for children and too childish for adults.'

'But what it was, at its heart, was a story about how we choose to love courageously, even in the face of heartbreak,' Bullock wrote in her caption. Despite those early reviews, the film steadily built a devoted fanbase over the decades, becoming far more than its original box-office moment suggested.

What Bullock Said About the Original

Bullock's tribute was both reflective and affectionate. She wrote: 'Somewhere along the way, it found its audience and became something far greater than any of us could have imagined. Now, 28 years later, there's another chapter to the story with Practical Magic 2.'

She also quoted directly from Hoffman's novel: 'My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.' Bullock closed her post with: 'Happy Practical Magic Day to those who celebrate, don't stop being courageous with your heart.'

About the Original Film

Released in 1998, Practical Magic starred Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, and Aidan Quinn. Bullock and Kidman played sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, descendants of a long line of witches. Raised by their aunts following their parents' death from a family curse, the sisters are taught the craft of practical magic as children. As adults, they must deploy those powers to defeat the malevolent spirit of Gillian's abusive former boyfriend before it destroys them both.

What's Next: Practical Magic 2

Bullock confirmed that a sequel, Practical Magic 2, is in the works, describing it as 'still full of women, maybe a little too scary for children, and just the right amount of childish for adults.' No release date has been officially announced, but the anniversary post has reignited significant fan enthusiasm ahead of the new instalment.

The announcement arrives at a moment when Hollywood studios are leaning into nostalgia-driven sequels and franchise revivals — making the return of the Practical Magic universe a culturally well-timed move.