Practical Magic (1998)

Last updated:
November 6, 2025

Practical Magic (1998) is a supernatural romantic drama directed by Griffin Dunne, adapted from Alice Hoffman’s novel of the same name. It’s a film that mixes witchcraft, sisterhood, romance, and tragedy, wrapped in a small-town charm that’s as cozy as it is eerie.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Owens Family Curse

The story begins with the Owens family—a long line of witches cursed for generations. The curse dictates that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman will die prematurely. This all stems from their ancestor, Maria Owens, who was abandoned by her lover and cast a spell to protect herself, unknowingly dooming her descendants.

Sally and Gillian: Sisters with Opposite Spirits

The central characters are sisters Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman). They’re raised by their eccentric aunts—Jet (Dianne Wiest) and Frances (Stockard Channing)—in a quaint seaside home filled with herbs, potions, and a few judgmental neighbors who believe the Owens women are dangerous witches.

Sally is the practical one—grounded, reserved, and yearning for a normal life. Gillian is the wild spirit—free-spirited, impulsive, and driven by passion. Despite their differences, their bond is unbreakable.

Love, Loss, and the Return of the Curse

Sally tries to defy the curse by casting a childhood spell to summon a man who could never exist—a perfect, imaginary partner. Ironically, she later meets Michael, who fits her dream in every way. They marry and have two daughters, but the curse strikes again: Michael dies tragically when he’s hit by a truck. Devastated, Sally withdraws from magic completely.

Meanwhile, Gillian runs off with a dangerous man named Jimmy Angelov (Goran Visnjic), whose charm quickly turns abusive. When she calls Sally for help, Sally rushes to rescue her, but things spiral out of control—Jimmy attacks them, and in self-defense, the sisters accidentally kill him.

Resurrection Gone Wrong

Panicking, they use forbidden magic to resurrect Jimmy’s body—but the spell goes wrong. Jimmy returns as a malevolent spirit, half-dead and fully evil. The sisters bury him in their garden, thinking it’s over. It’s not.

Strange things begin to happen—Sally’s daughters sense something dark around the house, and the town’s prejudice against the Owens family intensifies. Meanwhile, the spirit of Jimmy begins to possess Gillian from within.

The Investigation

Enter Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn), a kind-hearted detective investigating Jimmy’s disappearance. Gary carries the same rare traits Sally once described in her childhood spell—right down to one green eye and one blue eye. Fate, it seems, isn’t without a sense of irony.

As Gary gets closer to the truth, so do Sally’s feelings for him. However, the presence of Jimmy’s spirit and Sally’s fear of the curse threaten to tear everything apart.

Facing the Darkness

When Jimmy’s ghost fully takes control of Gillian, Sally realizes there’s only one way to stop him: together, with honesty and community. In a moment of sisterly unity, Sally gathers the women of the town—who had long shunned the Owens family—and invites them to join a circle to perform an exorcism.

The exorcism is intense and emotional. Sally confronts her guilt, Gillian confronts her trauma, and together they banish Jimmy’s spirit once and for all.

Movie Ending

The ending of Practical Magic is both cathartic and heartwarming. After Jimmy’s exorcism, the Owens sisters find themselves finally free—from the curse, from the secrecy, and from their fears. Sally accepts that magic isn’t something to hide from but something to embrace.

Gary returns, revealing that he’s torn up Jimmy’s police file, symbolizing forgiveness and a fresh start. He and Sally kiss, completing the circle of fate that began with her childhood spell. Unlike her first love, Gary survives—hinting that the Owens curse has finally been lifted.

The film concludes on Halloween, when the Owens women proudly embrace their magical heritage. Dressed in their witch hats, they perform a joyous ritual on their rooftop while the townspeople cheer below. For the first time, the Owens family is accepted. The film closes with the message that love, honesty, and connection can heal even the oldest wounds.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Practical Magic does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends conclusively with the Halloween rooftop celebration, leaving the Owens sisters at peace.

Type of Movie

A romantic fantasy drama infused with supernatural elements, Practical Magic blends witchcraft and real-world emotion, touching on themes of family, grief, love, and empowerment.

Cast

Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens
Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens
Stockard Channing as Aunt Frances
Dianne Wiest as Aunt Jet
Aidan Quinn as Gary Hallet
Goran Visnjic as Jimmy Angelov
Evan Rachel Wood as Kylie Owens

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack features an eclectic mix of folk and pop, enhancing the film’s warm and mystical tone. Songs include Stevie Nicks’ “If You Ever Did Believe” and Faith Hill’s “This Kiss.” The score was composed by Alan Silvestri, whose tender orchestral cues underscore the emotional and magical moments beautifully.

Filming Locations

Filming took place primarily in Whidbey Island, Washington, and Coupeville, which provided the perfect seaside backdrop for the Owens home. The iconic Victorian house, though built specifically for the movie, became an unforgettable cinematic landmark (and sadly, was dismantled after filming). The natural scenery reinforces the film’s themes of isolation, connection, and belonging.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards contender, the film was recognized for its set design and soundtrack. It later became a cult classic, particularly among audiences who appreciated its blend of female empowerment and gothic romance.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman was genuine; the two became close friends off-screen.
The house was built just for the movie—it wasn’t a real residence.
Nicole Kidman accidentally broke a bottle during the margarita scene, causing real laughter that was kept in the final cut.
Alice Hoffman, the author of the original novel, later said she loved the film adaptation despite its tonal differences.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel “Practical Magic”. The movie simplifies and streamlines several subplots but keeps the essence of sisterhood, love, and resilience intact. The story draws inspiration from folk witchcraft and New England mysticism, blending realism with the supernatural.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several minor scenes were cut for pacing, including one showing the sisters reconciling with their skeptical neighbors before the final Halloween scene. No alternate ending was ever filmed, as the production team wanted to preserve the fairy-tale closure.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the movie keeps the core premise of the Owens curse, it differs significantly from the book in tone. The novel is darker and more introspective, with a slower narrative focusing more on the Owens family’s generational trauma. The film leans toward a lighter, more romantic approach with moments of humor and spectacle.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The “Midnight Margaritas” scene, where the sisters and their aunts drunkenly sing and dance—only to realize they’ve invited something dark into their home.
Sally’s heartbreaking spell for an impossible love as a child.
The final exorcism, when the women of the town unite to save Gillian.

Iconic Quotes

“There’s a little witch in all of us.”
“Sometimes, the right man comes along and you have to give him a chance.”
“Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The Owens family home’s design mirrors old New England witch houses, referencing The House of the Seven Gables.
The family’s black cat, “Jinx,” is a nod to classic witch familiars.
Sally’s daughters’ names, Antonia and Kylie, symbolize strength and renewal.
The crescent moon often appears in background shots, representing feminine energy and cycles.

Trivia

The film’s production design was so admired that it inspired countless “witchcore” aesthetics online.
Stevie Nicks wrote multiple songs inspired by the film’s themes of sisterhood and magic.
Sandra Bullock performed many of her own stunts, including the scenes involving magical energy.
The movie bombed at the box office but became a Halloween cult favorite over the years.

Why Watch?

Practical Magic is a must-watch for anyone who loves stories about women supporting each other, healing through love, and finding power in vulnerability. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and enchanting all at once—a rare blend of cozy domestic life and supernatural mystery.

Practical Magic (1998)