Warner Bros. reports $3.5 million to $4 million in Thursday previews for Practical Magic 2
The sequel starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman earned an estimated $3.5-$4 million in Thursday preview screenings, positioning it ahead of several recent releases.
Warner Bros. and Alcon said Thursday preview screenings of Practical Magic 2 generated between $3.5 million and $4 million after showtimes began at 2 p.m. The preview earnings exceed those of Sandra Bullock's 2022 film The Lost City, which earned $2.5 million in previews, and George Clooney-Julia Roberts' Ticket to Paradise, which earned $1.1 million. The figure also tops the Thursday preview total for Warner Bros./MRC's Wuthering Heights, which made $3 million before a $32.8 million three-day opening.
Industry analysts note that if the $70 million production opens to a domestic total of $30-$35 million, it would be considered a solid performance. The film will be shown in premium formats such as Dolby Cinema, and Alcon financed half of the production.
Critical reception to the sequel is currently low, with a 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while the 1998 original holds a 29% rating. The original opened at $13.1 million and ultimately earned $46.7 million domestically and $94.4 million worldwide.
The international market for Practical Magic 2, covering 77 territories excluding China, is projected to generate $18 million to $23 million.
Other releases this weekend include Neon’s sci-fi film Hope, which opened to $1.1 million across 1,506 theaters, and Disney’s documentary Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger, as well as Angel Studios’ Runner. Preview figures are estimates; Warner Bros. will release the final numbers on Friday.