Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman have shared countless moments on and off screen over the past three decades. But as they reunite for “Practical Magic 2,” the longtime friends are opening up about the quiet conversations and deep trust that have made their bond a true “life raft” through life’s most challenging seasons.
The two Oscar-winning actresses, who first played sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in the 1998 cult classic, interviewed each other for the cover of PEOPLE magazine ahead of the sequel’s theatrical release on September 10, 2026. Nearly 30 years after they first mixed midnight margaritas on set, Bullock, 62, and Kidman, 59, have weathered personal losses, career reinventions, and family transformations — all while maintaining a friendship that has only deepened with time.
When Kidman asked Bullock what memory she would keep from their time working together, the answer was simple but profound: “Our quiet conversations,” Kidman said. Bullock agreed, adding, “This time around, we got to share things… We’re each other’s life raft.”
Bullock and Kidman first met while filming “Practical Magic” in the late 1990s. The film, which followed the Owens sisters as they navigated a family curse and their own magical powers, didn’t achieve immediate box office success. But over the years, it grew into a beloved cult classic, discovered by new generations through home video and social media.
The actresses’ off-screen connection, however, was immediate. Kidman recalled that one of her favorite memories from the original film was their quiet conversations — moments away from the cameras that built the foundation of a lasting friendship.
Bullock, reflecting on their nearly 30-year bond, joked that some things haven’t changed: “Our boobs. They’re still in the same place,” she quipped at the “Practical Magic 2” premiere in Los Angeles. Kidman added that their “sense of humor” has also remained intact — a quality that has helped them navigate the ups and downs of life in Hollywood.
Bullock’s description of their friendship as a “life raft” came during their PEOPLE cover conversation, and it reflects the depth of support they’ve provided each other over the years.
Both women have faced profound personal challenges since the original film. Bullock, who adopted son Louis, 16, and daughter Laila, 13, stepped back from Hollywood to care for her longtime partner, photographer Bryan Randall, during his private battle with ALS. Randall died in August 2023. Kidman grieved the death of her mother in 2024 and last year separated from singer Keith Urban, 58, with whom she shares daughters Sunday, 18, and Faith, 15.
Through these experiences, their bond has been a constant. In their PEOPLE interview, Kidman noted that Bullock “heals people,” while Bullock told Kidman that she is “not only capable” of everything she wants to achieve but “destined to exceed it.”
Their friendship isn’t just about emotional support; it’s about showing up authentically. Bullock reflected on how she has become less guarded over the years, saying, “I can’t help but love. Not fall in love, but I have so much in my body. That’s just who I am.”
When asked how they’ve changed since making the first film, Kidman admitted, “And I was closed. Scared.” Bullock recalled dragging a shy Kidman to a salsa club in the early days of their friendship, where Kidman “sat there quietly at the table.”
Now, Kidman says she’s “way more open” and has reached a point where she’s able to say, “Eh, who cares?” Bullock noted that while they are “very different” in what they worry about and aim for, “the fundamentals, I think we’re very similar.”
A significant part of that evolution has been motherhood. “You can’t isolate when you have kids,” Bullock said. “That’s the kicker. ‘Oh, I have these people that need to leave the house.'” Both have described parenting teenagers as a grounding force that keeps them connected to what matters most.
Their PEOPLE interview was filled with laughter and genuine affection. When Kidman asked Bullock for the best compliment she’d ever received from her, Bullock joked: “I said you have a great ass. She’s got a great ass and a nice rack.” Kidman reciprocated by praising Bullock’s skin, calling it “the most beautiful skin” and “the softest.”
But beyond the playful banter, their admiration runs deep. Bullock told Kidman that she doesn’t hear enough that she is “everything she wants to be capable of” and that her purpose on earth is “for a very big reason.” Kidman, in turn, told Bullock that she “heals people” and has “the biggest, biggest heart.”
At the “Practical Magic 2” premiere in Los Angeles, the actresses also discussed their approach to giving advice — something their on-screen characters are known for. Bullock said she tries not to give advice unless someone specifically asks, adding, “I just keep my mouth shut.” Kidman agreed, noting that “a lot of times people don’t want advice. They just want to vent, or they want to talk.”
Nearly three decades after the original, Bullock and Kidman are reprising their roles as Sally and Gillian Owens in “Practical Magic 2,” which hits theaters on September 10, 2026. The sequel also brings back Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing as the iconic aunts, alongside newcomers Joey King and Maisie Williams, who play the adult daughters of Sally Owens.
Both actresses serve as executive producers on the film, giving them greater creative input and a stake in shaping the continuation of the Owens family story. Bullock explained why now felt like the right time for a sequel, citing the film’s themes of ancestry and generational connection: “For me, it sort of honored generations of ancestry and future generations in a way that I don’t think we’ve talked about much on film. Which is, we forget that our mothers and grandmothers were young women with dreams and hopes and desires as well.”
Kidman said the sequel’s story emerged organically during phone conversations with Bullock. “We just started riffing. A lot of it was based on how every family carries something and how do you deal with it and remove the patterns that have been existing for so long from generation to generation?”
Bullock added that “sage witches, sage women, aunts, mothers, grandmothers have never gotten the full credit that they deserved.”
When “Practical Magic” was released in 1998, it received mixed reviews and only modest box office returns. But over time, the film found a devoted following — a shift both actresses say has changed how they view the project.
“The word [witch] is being taken back, and there’s ownership of it from the community saying, ‘I’m a witch and I’m proud,'” Bullock told TODAY. Kidman noted that fans would approach her and say, “You want to know what my favorite film of yours is? Practical Magic,” which surprised her at first.
The film’s themes of sisterhood, resilience, and embracing one’s uniqueness resonated with audiences — and those same themes are now central to the sequel.
In “Practical Magic 2,” the legacy of the Owens family continues with the introduction of Sally’s adult daughters, played by Joey King and Maisie Williams. The sequel explores how the next generation carries forward the family’s history and magic.
Producer Denise Di Novi has expressed interest in continuing the franchise if the sequel succeeds, and Bullock has also indicated openness to another installment. However, no sequel has been officially confirmed beyond “Practical Magic 2.”
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman have been friends for nearly 30 years, having first met while filming “Practical Magic” in the late 1990s.
The actresses became friends while working together on the 1998 film “Practical Magic,” where they played sisters Sally and Gillian Owens. Their friendship continued and deepened after filming ended.
Yes, Bullock and Kidman played sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in the 1998 film “Practical Magic” and reprised their roles in the sequel, “Practical Magic 2.”
Bullock used the term “life raft” to describe how their friendship has been a source of support and stability through challenging personal experiences, including grief, loss, and family transitions.
Yes, both actresses reprise their roles as Sally and Gillian Owens in “Practical Magic 2,” which is set for release on September 10, 2026.
“Practical Magic 2” is scheduled for theatrical release on September 10, 2026.
Yes, both actresses serve as executive producers on the sequel, marking their continued investment in female-driven storytelling.
While producers have expressed interest in continuing the franchise and Bullock has indicated openness to another installment if the sequel succeeds, no official confirmation of “Practical Magic 3” has been made.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman’s nearly 30-year friendship has weathered personal grief, career shifts, and the challenges of life in the spotlight. As they reunite on screen for “Practical Magic 2,” the actresses reflect on a bond that has become a source of strength — a “life raft” through life’s most difficult seasons.
Their relationship is a testament to the power of female friendship, built on quiet conversations, mutual trust, and the ability to show up for each other — on and off screen. As Bullock told Kidman, “This is our story, this is who we are.” And as they continue their journey together, fans of the Owens sisters can see that the magic of this friendship is just as real off screen as it is on.