'They ruined my favorite movie': fans slam Practical Magic 2 trailer for 'Netflix lighting' as Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman legacy sequel swaps haunting darkness for pastel color

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Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock look at something offscreen
Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock return! (Image credit: Warner Bros.)
  • First trailer for Practical Magic 2 has been released
  • Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest all return, Joey King joins
  • Follows Sally and Gillian Owens decades later as they "confront the lingering family curse that makes men they love die horribly"

We're only months away from midnight margaritas, but the first teaser trailer for Practical Magic 2 has already landed, which you can catch up with below.

When Sally's daughter, Kylie (Joey King), uncovers dark secrets and develops her own powers, the family must unite to break the curse.

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While the first trailer is only teasing what's to come, it hasn't landed well with some fans thanks to lighting changes.

The original 1998 movie was known for its dark, moody and gothic appearance, which seems to have vanished in favor of muted pastels and so-called "Netflix lighting."

"This being the movie that breaks the poor color grading curse is incredibly ironic for many reasons"

Practical Magic 2 | Official Teaser Trailer - YouTube Practical Magic 2 | Official Teaser Trailer - YouTube
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A quick social media search proves that if fans are talking about the Practical Magic 2 trailer, they're talking about the "poor color grading."

"This being the movie that breaks the poor color grading curse is incredibly ironic for many reasons," one fan posted on X/Twitter, with another agreeing, "I can forgive a lot, but pastels?"

"Like wtf happened to movies?? Why do they look so dull nowadays?" a third weighed in.

The new movie, due to be released September 11, seems to have already become a victim of so-called "Netflix lighting."

This is described by No Film School as "a modern, digital-first aesthetic characterized by soft, low-contrast, and evenly exposed scenes designed to look good on diverse devices."

Of course, a lot can change between now, the full trailer release and the distribution of the movie itself. One thing's for sure: Bullock and Kidman are going to give promoting the sequel everything they have.

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Jasmine Valentine
Jasmine Valentine
Streaming Staff Writer

Jasmine is a Streaming Staff Writer for TechRadar, previously writing for outlets including Radio Times, Yahoo! and Stylist. She specialises in comfort TV shows and movies, ranging from Hallmark's latest tearjerker to Netflix's Virgin River. She's also the person who wrote an obituary for George Cooper Sr. during Young Sheldon Season 7 and still can't watch the funeral episode.

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