Nearly three decades after Practical Magic became a cult favorite, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are returning as Sally and Gillian Owens. But the first trailer for the long-awaited sequel makes one thing clear: this isn’t simply a nostalgia-driven reunion. Alongside the return of beloved characters and iconic locations, Practical Magic 2 promises to expand the mythology of the Owens family and finally reveal the origins of the curse that has haunted its women for generations.

Released in 1998 and based on Alice Hoffman‘s novel, the original film tells the story of two sisters raised by their eccentric aunts after their parents’ passing. Bound by an ancient curse that doomed any man who fell in love with an Owens woman, Sally and Gillian spent their lives trying to escape what seemed like an inescapable fate. While the film underperformed at the box office, it gradually found a devoted audience and became one of the defining cult classics of the late 1990s.

The trailer suggests that the sequel moves well beyond that original story. This time, the narrative follows three generations of Owens women, placing Sally’s now-grown daughter, Kylie, at its center. When a new romance awakens long-dormant powers, the family realizes the curse was never truly broken and must confront its origins before it claims another victim.

That direction closely mirrors The Book of Magic, Alice Hoffman‘s 2021 novel and the final installment in the Owens family saga. Although Warner Bros. has not officially confirmed that the film is a direct adaptation, several elements featured in the trailer strongly suggest that the sequel draws from the novel as it brings the Owens story to its conclusion.

The footage also reveals a much richer mythology than the first film ever explored. Alongside the iconic Owens house, the herb garden, the unforgettable midnight margaritas, and the return of Aunt Franny and Aunt Jet, the trailer introduces ancient rituals, mysterious symbols, and hints of a deeper magical legacy connected to the family’s curse. Rather than simply recreating the charm of the original, the sequel appears determined to uncover the origins of the curse.

The film also signals an important passing of the torch. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman remain the emotional anchors of the story, and their effortless chemistry once again reminds viewers why Sally and Gillian became such beloved characters. Yet the trailer makes it equally clear that Kylie Owens, now played by Joey King, has become the story’s new central figure. King steps into the role originally played by Evan Rachel Wood in the 1998 film, taking center stage as the family curse threatens a new generation.

Casting Joey King feels like a deliberate choice. Following acclaimed performances in The Act, The Kissing Booth trilogy, Bullet Train, and We Were the Lucky Ones, she has become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young stars while appealing to audiences who didn’t grow up with the original film. Alongside actresses such as Maisie Williams, King represents a generation equally comfortable in prestige dramas and mainstream hits. If Practical Magic 2 is laying the foundation for a new chapter in the Owens legacy, the trailer suggests that transition is already underway.

Another intriguing addition is Lee Pace as Ian Wright. Although he appears only briefly — including one memorable scene that immediately caught fans’ attention — his character seems poised to play a much larger role. According to Warner Bros., Ian is a scholar of magical history who helps the Owens family uncover the true nature of their powers and the curse that has followed them for centuries.

The trailer’s atmosphere is equally compelling. Its haunting new rendition of Donovan‘s 1966 psychedelic classic “Season of the Witch” transforms the song into something almost ritualistic. Warner Bros. has yet to reveal the performer behind the cover, but the choice reinforces the film’s focus on what it means to be labeled a “witch” by a society that has always feared and misunderstood the Owens women.

Naturally, nostalgia remains part of the experience. Nearly every frame echoes the original film, from the famous porch to the family rituals that fans still cherish. But the trailer makes it clear that revisiting a beloved classic is only part of the mission. By expanding the mythology, exploring the origins of the Owens curse, and positioning Kylie as the family’s future, Practical Magic 2 appears ready to accomplish something rare among legacy sequels: honoring its past while confidently embracing its future.