Practical Magic 2 (2026)

When Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman first brought the Owens sisters to life 28 years ago, a Hollywood crew turned the historic Whidbey Island town of Coupeville into a New England‑style fairy‑tale. The production painted storefronts white, transformed Toby’s Tavern into the fish‑and‑chips shop Catch & Fry, and even cast curious locals as extras, before quietly restoring the town to its original look as if by wand. Decades later, the magic lingers. Visitors can still spot the ice‑cream‑cone sign over Kapaws Iskreme—originally a movie prop now repurposed for the shop—and the former Verbena Botanicals, where Bullock’s character sold tonics, now serves Mexican fare. The town’s visitor center hands out walking‑tour brochures that map every on‑screen building, and local stores proudly stock Practical Magic T‑shirts, DVDs, and tote bags, keeping the film’s charm alive year‑round. Fans have even more to look forward to: Practical Magic Halloweekend returns Oct. 22‑25 with a pumpkin‑on‑wheels race, a scavenger hunt, a parade, street dancing and multiple screenings. While the upcoming Practical Magic 2 (opening Sept. 10) was shot far from the Pacific Northwest—in Hertfordshire, England—the original’s spellbinding imprint on Coupeville proves that some movies never truly leave the places that hosted them.

Evan Rachel Wood, who played young Kylie Owens in the 1998 hit, took to social media on September 1 to applaud Joey King’s takeover of the role for the long‑awaited sequel. While Wood admitted she was disappointed not to be cast again, she praised King’s outreach, writing, “I really appreciated Joey King reaching out to me, because no one who worked on the original film did… She’s a sweetheart.” King returned the sentiment at the L.A. premiere, calling Wood “so talented and so beautiful” and expressing gratitude for the chance to play Kylie “at this age.” The mutual admiration highlighted a rare moment of camaraderie between the original and new generations of the franchise. The recasting extends beyond Kylie. Former child actress Alexandra Artrip, who portrayed Antonia Owens in the first film, has also been replaced—this time by Maisie Williams—signaling the studio’s commitment to updating the magical family for a new audience. Fans can glimpse the fresh chemistry in the premiere photos now circulating online.