2026 Vs. 1998: The Cast Of Practical Magic, Then And Now

It's been almost three decades since "Practical Magic" was released. The story followed two sisters, Sally and Gillian Owens (played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, respectively), who were raised by their aunts and fought to overcome a curse that prevented them from ever having lasting true love. The two eccentric aunts, Franny and Jet, were played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, who took a free-spirited approach to raising the girls and showing them the ways of magic. "Practical Magic" was funny, quirky, and left a lasting impression on fans.

While the movie itself wasn't successful at the box office, it's become a cult classic many remember fondly. The sprawling mansion they called home seemed to have a personality of its own, the soundtrack was especially memorable, and we're forever obsessed with the midnight margarita scene. With Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock enchanting us with their looks at the "Practical Magic 2" premiere, showing how little they've changed in the intervening years, we can't help but wonder about the cast's lives between then and now.

1998 was quite the year for Sandra Bullock. Beyond her role as Sally Owens in "Practical Magic," she was the voice of Miriam in "The Prince of Egypt," and she was the leading star in "Hope Floats." Outside of Hollywood, however, she was, as the Los Angeles Times put it, "the most unpretentious big star Hollywood has to offer." She'd previously founded her own production company, started spending tons of time in Austin, Texas, and seemed uninterested in living the Hollywood lifestyle.

Now, almost three decades later, not much has changed about Bullock's way of life. She's kept most of her private business out of the press, including her five-year marriage to Jesse James, which ended badly in 2010 after his multiple affairs were revealed, and her eight-year relationship with Bryan Randall, which ended after he passed away in 2023. Bullock is also a mother to Louis and Laila Bullock, whom she adopted in 2010 and 2015, respectively. Although she rarely shares photos of them online, she posted a throwback picture of the pair on Instagram for Mother's Day in 2026.

Style-wise, the "Miss Congeniality" star doesn't seem to have made too many changes, but she must be doing something right because she's as stunning as ever at over 60. She looks incredibly fit, her skin is glowing, and we're forever saving pics of Sandra Bullock's hair for our next salon appointments.

By the time Nicole Kidman landed the role of Gillian Owens in "Practical Magic," she was already a Hollywood star and a style icon. She'd been acting for 15 years, and had starred in several highly popular movies, including "Days of Thunder" and "To Die For." The year before "Practical Magic," Nicole Kidman's head-turning style reached a highlight with the chartreuse Dior gown she wore to the Oscars. She attended the award show with husband Tom Cruise, whom she married in 1990.

Now 28 years after "Practical Magic," there's no doubt that the "Moulin Rouge!" star is as stunning as ever. She's extended her impressive filmography, won an Oscar, and even founded her own film production company in 2010. Her personal life has seen even more change over the years. She and Cruise divorced in 2001 — they adopted two children during the relationship. In 2006, she married Keith Urban and had two children, but they ultimately divorced in 2026.

In reality, their split wasn't surprising given the red flags in Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's relationship, but the "Practical Magic" star has made it clear that she has no issues moving on. "I'm always going to be moving toward what's good. What I'm grateful for is my family and keeping them as is and moving forward. That's that," she told Variety. Regardless, there's no doubt the actor is thriving after the divorce.

When "Practical Magic" hit our screens, Stockard Channing was a 54-year-old Hollywood veteran. She famously played Betty Rizzo in 1978's "Grease," already had a Tony Award, and had been nominated for multiple Emmys and an Oscar.

Beyond the TV world, Channing's personal life was just as interesting. By 1998, she'd been married and divorced four times and was eight years into a relationship with Daniel Gillham. They stayed together until his death in 2014, but never married. Decades later in 2026, Channing spoke to The Times about her personal life since losing Gillham, revealing that she's "happy being a recluse."

Although she never had any kids, she keeps busy by creating pottery and working. On the fashion front, she has quite a relaxed approach. "If I'm leaving the apartment I comb my hair, but I don't have a wardrobe of designer outfits. Well, I do, but they're all from the Eighties and Nineties," she told The Times in 2026. "But I've never considered myself as beautiful. And I'm not a celebrity 'tart'. I'm just me, take it or leave it." Despite her humble words, Stockard Channing stunned at a rare public appearance in 2026, giving us major hair inspo while promoting "Practical Magic 2."

In 1998, Dianne Wiest already had a tasteful, award-studded filmography. She was one of the three sisters in "Hannah and Her Sisters," she played Peg in "Edward Scissorhands," and she starred in "Footloose" and "Bullets Over Broadway." She'd won two Oscars, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy.

Away from work, she was a single mother to her two adopted daughters and wasn't in any high-profile relationships. Four years earlier, she'd spoken to The Christian Science Monitor about how her life had changed since becoming a mother. "As a single parent, raising Emily, 7, and Lily, 3, I have to think about providing for them," she said. "When you have children, one thinks in terms of money."

These days, much of Wiest's life still revolves around her work, as she's never been married and keeps her private life completely out of the press. Recently, she's acted in "Only Murders in the Building" and "Elsbeth." She has made some red carpet appearances for the "Practical Magic 2" release, and she looks as stunning as ever.