12 Movies Like Practical Magic You Must See

Brought to life by Griffin Dunne, ‘Practical Magic’ is a fantasy romantic comedy-drama film based on Alice Hoffman’s novel of the same name. Sisters Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman) come from a family of witches and are raised by their aunts Frances (Stockard Channing) and Jet (Dianne Wiest) after losing their parents. But generations of magic have left the Owens women with a strange curse, that any man they fall in love with is in for destruction. While Gillian becomes involved with Jimmy Angelov (Goran Visnjic), Sally tries to stay away from both romance and witchcraft.

She eventually marries Michael (Mark Feuerstein) and starts a family, but Gillian’s dangerous relationship brings the sisters back together. When Jimmy dies unexpectedly, they use magic to revive him, only to unleash a dark spirit in the process. With Tucson police detective Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn) investigating, Sally and Gillian must confront the curse and the supernatural threat now endangering their family. If the premise appealed to you, these movies, similar to ‘Practical Magic,’ feature witchcraft, magic, and fantasy that will keep you entertained.

12. Stardust (2007)

‘Stardust’ follows Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox), a young man who enters the magical kingdom of Stormhold to retrieve a fallen star and prove his love to Victoria. But the star turns out to be Yvaine (Claire Danes), a woman who becomes the target of several dangerous pursuers. Three witches led by Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) want Yvaine’s heart to restore their youth, while the sons of Stormhold’s dead king seek the powerful ruby she wears.

Forced to protect Yvaine as they journey through the enchanted kingdom, Tristan encounters magic, danger, and other entities. Tristan and Yvaine are drawn closer together during the journey, complicating matters. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the romantic fantasy adventure film is based on Neil Gaiman’s eponymous novel. Along the lines of ‘Practical Magic,’ the narrative intricately combines romance and magic and takes its characters on a wild ride, with twists at every turn and threats looming in unexpected ways.

11. Halloweentown (1998)

Helmed by Duwayne Dunham, ‘Halloweentown’ is the tale of Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown), a teenager who discovers that the secret her mother, Gwen (Judith Hoag), has kept from her is that she comes from a family of witches. After Marnie and her siblings, Dylan Piper (Joey Zimmerman) and Sophie Piper (Emily Roeske), secretly follow their grandmother Aggie Cromwell (Debbie Reynolds) to the magical town of Halloweentown, they discover that something sinister is unfolding there. When Aggie and Gwen come under attack, Marnie and her siblings race to gather the ingredients needed to activate Merlin’s Wand.

The young witches must learn to use their abilities to fight the evil force before it takes control of Halloweentown. The fantasy comedy film captures the essence of ‘Practical Magic’ through its exploration of a family whose magical abilities are passed down through generations. Marnie discovers her witch heritage through her mother and grandmother, much like Sally and Gillian Owens learn about their inherited magical lineage.

10. The Butcher’s Wife (1991)

‘The Butcher’s Wife’ is a Terry Hughes directorial that revolves around Marina (Demi Moore). She is a clairvoyant who becomes convinced that Leo Lemke (George Dzundza), a NYC butcher, is her destined husband after repeatedly seeing him in her dreams. She quickly marries Leo and moves to his city, where her ability to anticipate people’s thoughts makes her a source of advice. When she crosses paths with psychiatrist Alex Tremor (Jeff Daniels), Marina gradually begins to question whether she has truly found her soulmate.

Marina begins to realize that the man she believes fate has chosen for her may not be the man she actually belongs with. Akin to ‘Practical Magic,’ the romantic comedy-drama film centers on a woman whose supernatural abilities shape her relationships and everyday life. Marina is clairvoyant, while Sally and Gillian Owens inherit witchcraft, making magic an integral part of their romantic and personal journeys.

9. The Love Witch (2016)

In ‘The Love Witch,’ Elaine (Samantha Robinson) is a young witch with an obsessive desire for romance. Living in a Victorian home, she relies on elaborate spells and magic to make men fall desperately in love with her, hoping to replace her recently deceased husband with the perfect partner. Despite several men falling for her, Elaine becomes increasingly consumed by her search for the ideal relationship. When she finally encounters the man she believes could be the right one, her fixation brings murder into the picture. At the same time, a detective begins looking into the strange events surrounding Elaine, threatening to expose her. Written and shaped under the direction of Anna Biller, the comedy-horror film explores romance, seduction, and magic through a powerful female lead, much like ‘Practical Magic’ does.

8. Bell, Book and Candle (1958)

‘Bell, Book and Candle’ puts modern-day witch Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) in the middle of a romantic dilemma when charming publisher Shepherd Henderson (James Stewart) moves into the Greenwich Village apartment above hers. Discovering that Shep is engaged to her old college rival, Merle Kittridge (Janice Rule), Gillian uses her cat to cast a spell that makes him fall for her. What begins as an act of revenge becomes complicated when Gillian genuinely falls in love with Shep. After Shep proposes, Gillian must choose between keeping her magic and pursuing a relationship with him.

Her decision leads her to reveal the truth about her supernatural identity, leaving Shep determined to break the spell and reconsider their future. With Richard Quine in the director’s seat, the supernatural romantic comedy film is based on John Van Druten’s play of the same title. ‘Practical Magic’ and ‘Bell, Book and Candle’ make romance inseparable from supernatural complications. Gillian uses a love spell to attract Shep before genuinely falling for him, while Sally and Gillian’s relationships are repeatedly complicated by the consequences of their magical heritage.

7. Penelope (2006)

Director Mark Palansky’s ‘Penelope’ is a fantasy romantic comedy film that tells the story of young Penelope (Christina Ricci), who is trapped inside her family’s estate after she is born with a pig’s snout because of an old curse. Her wealthy parents believe marriage is the only way to break the spell, but every potential suitor rejects Penelope. Desperate for a photograph of Penelope, tabloid reporter Lemon (Peter Dinklage) hires gambler Max (James McAvoy) to pose as another prospective husband. Max develops genuine feelings for Penelope, but is unable to truly be with her.

Feeling betrayed, Penelope decides to explore the world on her own and forms a friendship with Annie (Reese Witherspoon). Penelope now wishes to form a sense of identity beyond the curse. Similar to ‘Practical Magic,’ the narrative centers on a supernatural curse passed down through a family. Penelope must find a way to break the spell, while Sally and Gillian Owens live under a curse that threatens the women in their family who fall in love.

6. Beautiful Creatures (2013)

‘Beautiful Creatures’ brings Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert) to the small town of Gatlin, where her arrival immediately attracts the attention of Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich), a teenager. Lena grows close to Ethan and reveals that she is a witch with little control over her supernatural abilities. Their romance becomes increasingly dangerous as Lena’s sixteenth birthday approaches, when she is destined to be claimed by either the forces of light or darkness. Her chances of remaining on the side of light come with the cruel condition that requires her to give up her love for Ethan.

As her mother, Sarafine (Emma Thompson), pushes her toward darkness, Ethan joins Lena in searching for magic that could change her fate. With Richard LaGravenese behind the camera and writing the screenplay, the romantic gothic fantasy film is based on the eponymous novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Lena risks being claimed by darkness because of her feelings for Ethan, while Sally and Gillian in ‘Practical Magic’ have to confront the potentially deadly consequences that their family curse places on romantic relationships.

5. Bewitched (2005)

‘Bewitched’ brings Isabel Bigelow (Nicole Kidman), a witch trying to leave magic behind, into the chaotic world of Hollywood when she is recruited to play Samantha in a remake of the sitcom “Bewitched.” The opportunity puts her opposite movie star Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell), who underestimates the unknown actress. Jack soon discovers that Isabel actually possesses magical powers. Although Isabel is angered when she learns about Jack’s manipulative intentions, her growing feelings for him make it difficult to walk away.

After her aunt places a hex on Jack, Isabel faces an even greater dilemma as her supernatural identity and romantic feelings become inseparable. Crafted under the direction of Nora Ephron, the fantasy romantic comedy film reimagines the eponymous TV series. ‘Practical Magic’ and ‘Bewitched’ combine witchcraft with romantic relationships. Isabel is a real witch whose feelings for Jack complicate her attempt to live normally, while Sally and Gillian Owens struggle to keep magic from disrupting their experiences with love.

4. Simply Irresistible (1999)

Mark Tarlov steers ‘Simply Irresistible,’ which puts Amanda Shelton (Sarah Michelle Gellar) at a crossroads after the death of her mother leaves her struggling to keep their family restaurant alive. Amanda cannot recreate the magic that once made the restaurant successful. Her fortunes change after the mysterious Gene O’Reilly (Christopher Durang) gives her a magical crab, and her food suddenly triggers powerful emotional reactions from those tasting, drawing customers back.

Among those affected by the crab’s magic is Tom Bartlett (Sean Patrick Flanery), who is preparing to open his own restaurant and finds himself drawn to Amanda. A strange saga of romance unfolds, testing both Amanda and Tom in unforeseen ways. Much like ‘Practical Magic,’ the rom-com uses magic as a source of romance, humor, and personal complications rather than presenting it as purely frightening.

3. The Craft (1996)

Directed by Andrew Fleming, ‘The Craft’ brings Sarah (Robin Tunney) into an unfamiliar LA high school, where her telekinetic abilities attract the attention of Bonnie (Neve Campbell), Rochelle (Rachel True), and Nancy (Fairuza Balk). The girls are already experimenting with witchcraft and welcome Sarah as the fourth member of their group. Their camaraderie initially makes them feel almost unstoppable, but their experiments soon begin producing real consequences. After a seemingly minor spell causes another student to lose her hair, the curious girls become dangerously addicted to their power and wreak havoc at every turn. The supernatural horror film explores loyalty, female perspectives, identity, witchcraft, and the consequences of unchecked power, like ‘Practical Magic’ does.

2. The Good Witch (2008)

‘The Good Witch’ is a Craig Pryce directorial that centers on Cassandra Nightingale, AKA Cassie (Catherine Bell), a mysterious individual with the ability to change the lives of people around her. She moves to the small town of Middletown and opens an occult-themed gift shop. Cassie quickly becomes the subject of rumors that she is the legendary Grey Lady, and perhaps a witch. The town’s police chief, Jake Russell (Chris Potter), initially views her with suspicion, but his attitude changes as Cassie helps his children.

Their growing friendship soon develops into a romantic connection, even as Jake is forced to deal with the townspeople determined to drive Cassie away. Meanwhile, his deputy Derek Sanders (Peter MacNeill) begins uncovering clues about her mysterious past. The romantic fantasy film reflects the spirit of ‘Practical Magic’ by intricately exploring romance, magic, feminine desire, secrets, and identity, while also featuring unique visual aesthetics.

1. The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

‘The Witches of Eastwick’ brings an unsettling change to the small town of Eastwick when the arrival of the mysterious Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson) awakens something unexpected in three friends. Sculptor Alexandra Medford (Cher), teacher Jane Spofford (Susan Sarandon), and journalist Sukie Ridgemont (Michelle Pfeiffer) each feel trapped by their unhappy romantic lives until Daryl begins pursuing them individually. Things take a turn when Daryl reveals that the women possess magical abilities. Their growing fascination with him leads them deeper into a world of power, but their enjoyment fades as they begin questioning what Daryl really wants from them. A series of disturbing events forces the women to recognize that their powers may be the only thing capable of stopping Daryl.

With George Miller serving as director, the dark fantasy comedy film is based on John Updike’s novel of the same name. ‘Practical Magic’ and ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ place female perspectives and relationships at the heart of their stories. Alexandra, Jane, and Sukie discover their magical abilities together, while Sally and Gillian Owens rely heavily on their sisterly bond and shared witchcraft. The Eastwick women are drawn into Daryl’s world, while Sally and Gillian’s romantic lives are shaped by the consequences of their inherited magical abilities.