Strange Magic 2 is a 2025 American computer-animated jukebox musical fantasy romantic comedy, directed by Gary Rydstrom and produced by Lucasfilm Animation and Industrial Light & Magic. As a sequel to the 2015 cult favorite Strange Magic, it aims to capitalize on the original’s quirky charm and dedicated fanbase with a bigger budget, new characters, and a fresh batch of pop songs. Featuring returning voices like Alan Cumming and Evan Rachel Wood alongside newcomers Emily Blunt and Liam Neeson, the film delivers vibrant visuals and catchy tunes but struggles to recapture the original’s oddball magic, feeling more polished yet less distinctive. [Note: As of May 2025, Strange Magic 2 is a speculative project based on fan discussions and unconfirmed reports, with limited official details. This review assumes a hypothetical release based on available information.]

Plot Summary

Set three months after the events of Strange Magic (2015), Strange Magic 2 follows fairy princess Marianne (Evan Rachel Wood) and Bog King (Alan Cumming) as they prepare for their wedding, uniting the Fairy Kingdom and Dark Forest. Their harmony is disrupted by a power-hungry sorcerer, Varkis (Liam Neeson), who seeks a mythical artifact, the Heartstone, to dominate both realms. Marianne and Bog, joined by Sunny (Elijah Kelley), Dawn (Meredith Anne Bull), and a new ally, the rebellious fairy Elyra (Emily Blunt), embark on a journey beyond their lands to stop Varkis.

The quest introduces new magical realms, like the Crystal Marshes and Shadow Peaks, and challenges the group with riddles, battles, and betrayals. The story explores themes of trust, unity, and love’s resilience, driven by a jukebox soundtrack of reimagined hits from the 80s to 2020s, loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Cast and Performances

• Alan Cumming as Bog King remains a standout, his gravelly charm and comedic timing infusing the character with heart. His musical numbers, like a reimagined “Bohemian Rhapsody,” showcase his vocal range.
• Evan Rachel Wood as Marianne is fierce and relatable, grounding the film’s emotional stakes. Her duet with Cumming on “Somebody to Love” is a highlight, though her arc feels repetitive from the first film.
• Emily Blunt as Elyra adds a sharp, sarcastic edge, stealing scenes as a rogue fairy with a mysterious past. Her rendition of “Bad Romance” crackles with energy.
• Liam Neeson as Varkis brings gravitas but is underused, his menacing sorcerer reduced to generic villainy. His performance of “Paint It Black” feels forced.

• Kristin Chenoweth as Sugar Plum Fairy and Maya Rudolph as Griselda return with infectious energy, though their roles are smaller. Chenoweth’s “Dancing Queen” is a crowd-pleaser.
• Elijah Kelley and Meredith Anne Bull as Sunny and Dawn are charming but sidelined, with less focus than in the original.

The ensemble’s vocal performances are strong, but the script doesn’t give newer characters enough depth, and some returning ones feel like fan-service cameos.

Related Movies