'Practical Magic 2' Is Expected to Be a Major Box Office Disappointment

Practical Magic 2, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, grossed $4.7 million in Thursday (10) previews across 3,200 theaters, according to Deadline. The figure came in above initial estimates, which had projected between $3.5 million and $4 million.

Even so, the expectation is that the film will open domestically between $30 million and $35 million, which could be considered modest for a $70 million production. 

For comparison, the previews outperformed those of The Lost City, starring Bullock, which posted $2.5 million and opened to $31 million, as well as those of Ticket to Paradise, with George Clooney and Julia Roberts, which had $1.1 million in previews and debuted with $16.5 million.

Critics have not been kind. The approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes is just 36%. The 1998 original, however, was also poorly received at the time, with a 29% approval rating, but it debuted in first place with $13.1 million and finished its domestic run with $46.7 million and $94.4 million worldwide.

The international forecast for the sequel, which opens in 77 territories without China, is between $18 million and $23 million. Titled Practical Magic 2, the feature follows the Owens sisters in a new battle against the curse that has haunted their family for generations.

The film is now playing in theaters.