LOS ANGELES — The witches are back on top. “Practical Magic 2” has finally ended “Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s” six-week reign at the North American box office, opening at No. 1 nearly three decades after the original cult classic hit theaters.
The Warner Bros. sequel, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, collected an estimated $30 million from 4,146 North American theaters during its opening weekend, according to estimates reported by the Associated Press. It also generated approximately $16 million internationally, giving the film a worldwide opening of about $46 million.
Spider-Man finally loses the top spot
The victory marks the end of an impressive run for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which had dominated the domestic box office for six consecutive weekends.
The superhero blockbuster dropped to second place with an estimated $8.4 million for the weekend, taking its North American total to roughly $935.2 million. Despite losing the top spot, the film remains extremely close to the domestic box-office record previously held by “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
That makes the weekend particularly unusual: “Practical Magic 2” claimed the No. 1 position, while “Spider-Man” remained within striking distance of one of Hollywood’s biggest domestic records.
A long-awaited return for Bullock and Kidman
“Practical Magic 2” arrives almost 28 years after the original 1998 movie, bringing Bullock and Kidman back as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens.
The sequel once again centers on the Owens family and its supernatural legacy, expanding the story with a new generation of characters played by actors including Joey King and Maisie Williams.
The original “Practical Magic” was not a major theatrical hit when it was first released, but its popularity grew over the years and it eventually became a cult favorite.
That history made the sequel’s opening an important test of whether nostalgia for a late-1990s favorite could translate into a major modern theatrical audience.
No. 1 finish, but a mixed financial picture
Although “Practical Magic 2” won the weekend, its opening was not necessarily the blockbuster performance Warner Bros. had hoped for.
Variety described the roughly $28 million opening as disappointing in early reporting, while other industry estimates placed the final weekend figure around $30 million. The difference reflects the distinction between early industry estimates and later updated figures.
The film reportedly carries a production budget of about $75 million before marketing, meaning its worldwide opening alone does not put the movie close to recouping its costs.
That makes its performance over the next several weeks particularly important.
‘The Odyssey’ keeps making history
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” remained a major force at the box office despite falling behind the new release.
The film earned an estimated $7.4 million domestically over the weekend and has reached approximately $1.68 billion worldwide, according to AP’s latest box-office figures.
Its continued performance means the weekend’s headline wasn’t simply about “Practical Magic 2” replacing “Spider-Man.” It also demonstrated the unusually strong staying power of several major 2026 releases.
A changing box-office battle
The weekend represents another shift in an exceptionally strong year for theatrical movies.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” has generated billions worldwide, while “The Odyssey” has also become a global phenomenon. Now “Practical Magic 2” has demonstrated that a different kind of audience — driven heavily by nostalgia and returning stars — can still take the No. 1 position.
But the bigger question is whether the sequel can hold onto that position and build momentum.
A No. 1 debut is certainly a victory. Yet with a relatively modest opening compared with some industry expectations, the film’s long-term box-office performance will determine whether the Owens sisters’ return becomes a genuine theatrical comeback or simply a nostalgic weekend win.
“Practical Magic 2” may have broken Spider-Man’s spell, but the real magic trick will be turning that No. 1 debut into a lasting box-office success.
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