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Parents' Guide to

Practical Magic

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Quirky, uneven romcom with some witchy violence.

Movie PG-13 1998 103 minutes
Practical Magic Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 7 parent reviews

Mya D.
Mya D. Adult
October 18, 2017
age 16+

Language is wrong on this site!

This movie does say GD which was very disappointing. We always turn off a movie immediately after hearing this being said which is why I rely on this site for accuracy. The 2 sisters are in bed talking and the redhead says to the brunette, "Brush your teeth to get rid of that GD breath.."

This title has:

Too much swearing
2 people found this helpful.
SouthernMomma1
SouthernMomma1 Parent of 14, 15 and 17-year-old
May 17, 2022
age 18+

Not family friendly.

The only good from this movie is showing family sticks together. The use of curse words, including the GD, is a big no for our family.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

PRACTICAL MAGIC follows the story of two orphan girls from a family of witches. Raised by aunts who feed them brownies for breakfast and are visited by neighbors only when they are desperate for a spell, the girls grow up looking for a way to separate themselves from their past. Sally (Sandra Bullock) longs to be "normal," and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) longs to abandon herself to a passion that will leave her dizzy. Sally marries a man she adores and has two children before he is killed in an accident. Devastated, she blames the family curse that, according to legend, results in the early death of any man who loves an Owens woman. Gillian ends up with Jimmy Angelof, an abusive man. When Sally comes to rescue her, they accidentally kill Jimmy. Using their aunts' book of spells, they bring him back, only to kill him again when he attacks them. They bury him in the back yard, and think they are safe. But then a policeman comes looking for Jimmy, who is not as departed as they thought.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (7 ):

This is an uneven adaptation of Alice Hoffman's lyrical novel. Bullock and Kidman are ideally cast as the sisters who are very different but very devoted. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are delightful as the wry but wise and loving aunts, bedecked in Victorian lace.

It is a pretty movie to watch, with some feel-good scenes and strong themes of sisterhood. But the movie is so uneven in tone and theme -- with a mix of comedy, romance, and fantasy that doesn't quite gel -- that the experience is ultimately more frustrating than fun.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the women in this movie are portrayed. Do they challenge or reinforce any gender stereotypes? How do the men fare?

  • If you've read the book, how does the movie compare? What are some good book-to-movie adaptations?

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