Bewitched (2005)

What makes Bewitched (2005) worth your time is its breezy, self-aware mix of Hollywood satire and old-fashioned romantic magic, the kind that doesn’t demand you believe in spells so much as in movie-star chemistry. Nicole Kidman plays her “trying to be normal” witch with a sweetness and sparkle that keeps the film buoyant, while Will Ferrell leans into the comedy of an ego getting gently, repeatedly punctured by forces it can’t control. Nora Ephron wraps it all in a warm, nostalgic glow—winking at the classic series without requiring you to know it—while Shirley MacLaine and the supporting cast add welcome punch and mischief around the edges. It’s not for everyone if you’re hoping for big laugh-per-minute farce or a sharper bite, but if you want a light, charming rom-com with a fantastical twist and a cozy, Sunday-afternoon vibe, it’s an easy yes.

Bewitched (2005) is clearly trying to be a cute, meta spin on the classic sitcom while also functioning as a modern rom-com with real magic in the mix, and on paper that’s a clever hook. The problem is it never fully commits to any one lane, so the comedy feels oddly muted, the romance is a bit mechanical, and the whole thing plays more scattered than sparkling. Nicole Kidman gives the film a genuinely charming, game performance and there are a few pleasant, whimsical beats, but the pacing and formulaic turns can make it feel like a sitcom premise stretched into a feature without enough punchlines. If you want sharp Nora Ephron wit or consistent laugh-out-loud energy, you’ll likely be disappointed; if you’re in the mood for a light, low-stakes, mildly magical comfort watch, it might go down easier.