Practical Magic 2 Box Office Prediction

In 1998, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman headlined the witchy fantasy Practical Magic and it grossed a solid $46 million domestically ($94 million in today’s bucks). It has since gained a significant cult following and the two stars return for Practical Magic 2 on September 11th. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing reprise their roles from the original. Susanne Bier takes over directorial duties from Griffin Dunne. New cast members include Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly McLeod.

At the least, this should be the movie that finally dislodges Spider-Man: Brand New Day from the #1 spot after six weeks. The floor for this is probably $30 million. A sizable female audience should turn up and even some younger viewers who have caught part 1 on streaming or cable. Nostalgia should be a powerful spell for plenty of paying customers.

A best case scenario could be Magic earning more in its first weekend than Magic‘s entire stateside run. My hunch is to take the slight under for what would be a great opening for Warner Bros.

Practical Magic 2 opening weekend prediction: $43.5 million

For my Hope prediction. click here:

For my The Uprising prediction, click here:

This Day in Movie History: February 13

Just in time for Valentine’s Day 10 years ago on This Day in Movie History – February 13 – Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore once again teamed up for the rom com 50 First Dates. The pair had previously had a hit together six years prior with The Wedding Singer and Dates would continue that streak. The film opened with $39.8 million and went to gross $120 million domestically. The third teaming of Sandler and Barrymore will come out this May with Blended.

As for birthdays, Stockard Channing turns 70 today. She’ll go down in film history as Rizzo in 1978’s Grease, in which she played that high school student at age 34. TV watchers may know her best as First Lady Abbey Bartlet on “The West Wing”. Other notable film roles over the years include Six Degrees of Separation, Up Close&Personal, The First Wives Club, and Practical Magic.

Mena Suvari in 35 today. She became known to moviegoers in the American Pie franchise and as the teenage object of Kevin Spacey’s affection in the Oscar winning American Beauty. Other projects include The Musketeer and Beauty Shop.

As for Six Degrees of Separation (hey- Stockard Channing was in that!) between them:

Stockard Channing was in Anything Else with Jason Biggs

Jason Biggs was in American Pie with Mena Suvari

And that’s today – February 13 – in Movie History!