Upcoming romantic comedy adaptations to watch: ‘Practical Magic 2,’ ‘Love Hypothesis’

‘Practical Magic 2′
In theaters Sept. 11

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in “Practical Magic 2,” the sequel to the 1998 romantasy film “Practical Magic.” The Owens women are bound by a family curse that dooms the men who love them. Joey King stars as Kylie, who learns about the curse and sets out to reverse it, forcing Sally and Gillian to work together to find her. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest return as aunts Frances and Jet Owens. Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña and Solly McLeod also star.

The original film was adapted from Alice Hoffman’s novel of the same name, while the sequel is based on Hoffman’s “The Book of Magic.” It premieres Sept. 11.

‘The Love Hypothesis’
Streaming Sept. 23 on Prime Video

Prime Video’s movie “The Love Hypothesis” is based on the 2021 book of the same name by Ali Hazelwood. The story, which features the popular grumpy-sunshine and fake-dating tropes, follows Stanford University Ph.D. candidate Olive (Lili Reinhart), who fakes a relationship with intimidating, brooding professor Adam (Tom Bateman). Olive thinks this plan will prove to her friend Anh that she has moved on, so Anh (Rachel Marsh) can feel free to pursue Olive’s former crush. Adam thinks this could help him with a situation at work, so the scheme seems mutually beneficial. It premieres on Sept. 23.

‘Wicker’
In theaters Oct. 23

Black Bear Pictures’ fantasy-comedy “Wicker” has been getting huge reactions online. It stars Olivia Colman as a fisherwoman who has a wicker husband, played by Alexander Skarsgård. The film, which is set to hit U.S. theaters Oct. 23, also stars Elizabeth Debicki, Peter Dinklage and Richard E. Grant. It’s an adaptation of “The Wicker Husband,” a short story by author Ursula Wills-Jones. 

“When her wicker husband proves more spectacular than she ever imagined, his soulful spirit and unique prowess awaken something inside her, setting off a wave of jealousy, fascination and upheaval that threatens the very fabric of village life,” a synopsis of the film reads.

‘Guarding Stars’
Streaming Nov. 18 on Netflix

Netflix’s upcoming holiday romance film, “Guarding Stars,” is based on Katherine Center’s 2022 book “The Bodyguard.” It stars Leighton Meester as a bodyguard tasked with protecting Jared Padalecki, who plays an action star who’s being stalked. The cast also includes Andie MacDowell, Walker Hayes, Toby Sandeman, Noah LaLonde and CM Punk. It will premiere on the streaming service Nov. 18. 

‘In A Holidaze’
Streaming Dec. 2 on Netflix

The adaptation of Christina Lauren’s “In a Holidaze” will debut Dec. 2  on Netflix. The romantic comedy film stars Maddie Ziegler, Graham Phillips, Elias Kacavas, Patton Oswalt, Jackie Sandler, Andrea Anders, Gil Bellows and Rob Lowe. 

The film is about a young woman trapped in a time loop, forced to relive Christmas with her family after she makes a “romantic mistake of epic proportions.” Tiffany Paulsen directs. 

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