Practical Magic 2 opened atop the North American box office on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, with an estimated $30 million from 4,146 theaters, giving Warner Bros. a No. 1 debut built on a franchise that had been dormant for nearly three decades.
Rentrak estimates reported by The Associated Press put the film’s international opening at about $16 million from 77 markets, bringing the estimated worldwide start to $46 million. The domestic figure ended a six-week run at No. 1 for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Final weekend totals are expected Monday, so the current numbers remain estimates.
A cult property becomes a theatrical test
The sequel reunites Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as Sally and Gillian Owens, 28 years after the original film reached theaters. The 1998 release earned $46 million during its initial domestic run, according to AP, but its commercial value expanded later through home viewing, streaming and social media.
That afterlife is central to the sequel’s business case. Instead of reviving a franchise with a recent blockbuster record, Warner Bros. is testing whether years of accumulated affection can be converted into a new theatrical audience. Bullock and Kidman provide continuity, while Joey King and Maisie Williams extend the cast toward a younger generation.
The opening is a signal, not a verdict
The $30 million estimate landed at the low end of Warner Bros.’ projected $30 million to $35 million range. AP reported a production budget of $75 million. TheWrap, using Saturday projections, had expected a $28 million to $30 million domestic debut after a $13 million opening day.
The Numbers lists a $30 million domestic weekend and a $46 million worldwide total, with the film playing in 4,146 North American theaters. Those results establish demand, but they do not settle the film’s long-term performance. Audience retention in the second weekend will show whether the opening was driven mainly by loyal fans or can broaden into a longer fall run.
Why it matters
For entertainment executives, Practical Magic 2 offers a useful measure of legacy intellectual property that matured outside theaters. A film can gain commercial relevance through streaming availability, social sharing and generational discovery even when its original box-office run was modest.
The opening also shows why studios are looking beyond traditional action franchises for recognizable brands. A loyal audience can reduce launch risk, but awareness alone does not guarantee sustained ticket sales. The next test is whether Warner Bros. can turn a nostalgia-driven event into repeatable demand beyond the film’s core fans.