Nearly 28 years after Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman first played the Owens sisters, Practical Magic has done something the original film never managed.

Its sequel opened at number one.

Practical Magic 2 earned approximately $30 million from 4,146 North American cinemas during its opening weekend, with another $16 million internationally, giving it a worldwide opening of around $46 million.

That is an impressive comeback for a story whose first movie gradually became a cult favourite rather than an immediate box-office phenomenon.

But the numbers also need some context.

Number one does not automatically mean enormous

The sequel reportedly carries a production budget of roughly $75 million before marketing expenses.

That means a $46 million worldwide opening is the start of its theatrical run rather than proof of whether the movie will ultimately become profitable.

Its $30 million domestic debut was nevertheless enough to displace Spider-Man: Brand New Day after that film had spent six weekends at number one.

So both things can be true.

Practical Magic 2 won the weekend.

Its longer-term box-office performance still matters.

The Owens women are back

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprise their roles as Sally and Gillian Owens, with Susanne Bier directing.

The sequel returns to the magical family mythology that helped the original become such a durable favourite and adds performers including Joey King and Maisie Williams to the story.

The first Practical Magic, released in 1998, was not initially greeted as a future pop-culture institution.

Its reputation grew later through home viewing, its cast, the Owens family dynamic, its witchy autumn atmosphere and one of the era’s most memorable soundtracks.

Nostalgia finally reaches the box office

That is what makes the sequel’s opening interesting.

Hollywood frequently attempts to resurrect old properties, but not every film being revived was originally a blockbuster.

Practical Magic became valuable because people kept loving it.

Decades later, those fans showed up strongly enough to put its sequel at number one.

Whether that translates into a long theatrical run remains something the actual box-office numbers will answer over the weeks ahead.

For now, the Midnight Margaritas crowd can claim one confirmed victory.

The Owens sisters returned, and audiences turned up.