Is it actually a horror movie?

Not primarily, but it has horror elements. The final 20 minutes involve an exorcism and some jump-scares with a ghostly, decaying man. If your kid hates 'zombie' vibes, they might want to skip the ending.

What's the 'Midnight Margaritas' thing I keep hearing about?

It's the most famous scene where the aunts and sisters get drunk and dance to 'Coconut' by Harry Nilsson. It's a celebration of family, but it does normalize heavy drinking as a way to bond.

How bad is the domestic violence depicted?

It’s intense. Jimmy Angelov is shown being physically aggressive, threatening, and eventually kidnapping Gillian. While it's used to show why the sisters need to escape him, it's a heavy topic for a 'fun' movie night.

Does it promote 'real' witchcraft?

It uses witchcraft as a metaphor for feminine power and intuition. Most of the 'spells' are Hollywood-style magical realism (blowing on a candle to make it light, etc.), but it does deal with themes of spells and curses that some families might find objectionable.

Practical Magic – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Practical Magic

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1998

74%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Two sisters try to break a family curse using a crash course in necromancy, a blender full of margaritas, and a very haunted Victorian house.

6.4/10

27%

73%

→

Practical Magic

movie

PG-13, 1998

74%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Two sisters try to break a family curse using a crash course in necromancy, a blender full of margaritas, and a very haunted Victorian house.

6.4

27%

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6.4/10

27%

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Screenwise Verdict

Practical Magic is a mess, but it’s a beautiful mess. Critics hated it in 1998 because it couldn't decide if it was a rom-com or a horror flick, but audiences have turned it into a cult classic for a reason. It’s the ultimate October movie for parents and teens to watch together.

Don't go in expecting a tight script. Go in for the vibes, the incredible Victorian house, and the relationship between the two leads. It handles some heavy stuff—specifically a very toxic relationship—so you’ll want to be ready to talk through the 'bad boyfriend' dynamics with your teen.

Age Fit

This is firmly for the 13+ crowd. The domestic violence and the 'zombie-lite' possession scenes are too intense for younger kids, but it's a rite of passage for teens who love the 'cottagecore' or 'witchy' lifestyle.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The core of the movie is the unbreakable bond between sisters and the power of a supportive female community. However, it's balanced by heavy themes like domestic abuse and a literal corpse possession.

Imaginative

It basically invented the 'cozy witch' aesthetic that still dominates Pinterest and TikTok. The Owens house and the magical realism of their everyday lives are incredibly evocative.

Safe

The plot kicks off with a violent, abusive relationship and kidnapping. The later scenes involving a rotting, possessed ex-boyfriend are genuinely creepy and border on horror.

Enriching

It offers a strong message about standing up to bullies, breaking generational curses, and the importance of choosing your own path despite societal judgment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Unrivaled sisterly chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman that feels lived-in and real.
The 'Witchy' aesthetic is top-tier; the Owens’ house and garden are basically characters themselves and inspired an entire genre of interior design.
A killer soundtrack featuring Stevie Nicks that perfectly captures the late-90s, autumnal vibe.
Meaningful themes of female solidarity and small-town outsiders finding their place.

⚠

What to Watch For

Jimmy Angelov's character is a violent abuser and kidnapper. His scenes are dark and may be triggering for some viewers.
The 'Midnight Margaritas' scene is iconic but features the adult characters getting very drunk and dancing around the kitchen.
The supernatural horror hits hard in the final act. We're talking white-eyed possession, vomiting supernatural fluids, and a corpse being buried in the garden.
The tonal shifts are wild. It moves from a light romantic comedy to a dark thriller about hiding a body within minutes.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the townspeople were so afraid of the Owens family for so long?"
"Sally and Gillian have very different ways of handling their family history. Which sister do you relate to more?"
"The movie talks about 'the curse'—do you think the sisters actually broke it, or did they just stop believing in it?"
"What did you think of the 'Midnight Margaritas' scene? Why was that moment of the aunts and sisters together so important?"

Deep Dive

The Aesthetic That Launched a Thousand Mood Boards

If you ask a certain segment of the internet about Practical Magic, they won't talk about the plot. They'll talk about the kitchen. They'll talk about the botanical illustrations, the overflowing herb garden, and the long velvet coats. In 2026, this movie is the undisputed North Star for the 'Witchcore' aesthetic. It’s a masterclass in production design that makes witchcraft look less like a spooky ritual and more like a very high-end lifestyle brand.

The Tonal Whiplash

Roger Ebert famously noted that the movie doesn't know what tone to adopt. He wasn't wrong. One minute you're watching a whimsical montage of girls jumping off a roof with umbrellas, and the next, Nicole Kidman is being terrorized in a motel room by a man with a ring that burns her skin. This is the main 'watch-out' for parents. The transition from the 'Midnight Margaritas' fun to the literal resurrection of a dead abuser is jarring.

Why It Still Works

Despite the clunky 90s CGI and the weird pacing, the movie survives on the strength of its central relationship. It’s one of the few films from that era that prioritizes a woman’s relationship with her sister over her relationship with a man. Even the 'perfect' detective played by Aidan Quinn takes a backseat to the Owens sisters figuring out their own lives. For a kid who feels like an outsider or a teen obsessed with the 'dark academia' or 'cozy fantasy' genres, this is essential viewing. Just be prepared for the fact that it gets much darker than the DVD cover suggests.