On October 16, 1998, Practical Magic was released in theaters and the world of cinema was changed forever. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman played sisters raised in a family of witches, but, sadly, magic couldn't solve all their problems. In fact, they were followed by a curse that ensured any man they fell in love with would "die an untimely death." Though the critics weren't kind at the time of the movie's release (it currently holds a 20% "rotten" rating on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes), the comedy/romance/horror flick has since become a cult hit, which led to a pretty heavy dose of excitement when the movie's two star's reunited at the 90th Academy Awards and discussed their times together on set.
The movie was lambasted when it was release in theaters. Entertainment Weekly labelled it a movie "so slapdash, plodding, and muddled it seems to have had a hex put on it." However, as the film's director, Griffin Dunne, has watched it become beloved among many young women. He told Vulture what it was like watching his greatest failure become one of his greatest successes:
When my daughter was in her late teens, I started to notice that her friends loved the movie and quoted the movie and would freak out when they found out that her father directed the movie. I watched it grow and grow and it's been very touching and unexpected. I've gone out with women who have watched this movie every year with their daughters. It's a lovely kind of surprise.
Real 'Practical Magic' fans seemed to enjoy the impromptu reunion more than the actual awards ceremony.
If a movie executive out there is looking to reboot a 90's movie property, there may not be a better time! The 90's films that have been given a second chance (either as a reboot or a shot-for-shot remake) include Beauty & the Beast, Point Break, Total Recall, Jumanji, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Full House, Hey Arnold!, The Lion King, and many more.
