The latest installment in the “Now You See Me” franchise, titled “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” has made a notable impact at the North American box office, debuting with an impressive $21.3 million during its opening weekend. This achievement allowed it to surpass the well-known action film “The Running Man,” which earned $17 million in the same period. With an estimated global total of $75.5 million when including sales from 64 international markets, the film marks a successful return nearly a decade after the release of its predecessor.
Kevin Grayson, Lionsgate’s president of worldwide distribution, expressed his astonishment at the film’s success, admitting, “Honestly, I didn’t see us being number one for the weekend about 10 days ago.” He highlighted that an effective marketing strategy played a vital role in building anticipation leading up to the film’s release, and he noted that the franchise’s lasting appeal, combined with strong promotional efforts, positioned them effectively for the holiday season.
Following the initial film in 2013 and its sequel in 2016, the franchise has collectively grossed over $686 million worldwide. The newest chapter brings back familiar characters played by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco, while also introducing a new generation of magicians, including Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Justice Smith. Excitingly, a fourth film is already in the works.
Audience reactions to “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” have been mixed, with the film currently holding a 59% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, a positive signal emerges as approximately 63% of viewers polled indicated they would recommend it to others. Meanwhile, “The Running Man” recorded a slightly lower recommendation rate of 58%, although both films received a B+ CinemaScore from audiences.
Demographic data revealed a shift in audience appeal, with women comprising 54% of the viewers for “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” contrasting with just 37% of the audience for “The Running Man.”
The encouraging performance of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” underscores a renewed interest in cinematic releases, suggesting that combining established franchises with innovative storytelling can effectively draw audiences back to theaters. This trend offers hope as the film industry navigates its ongoing challenges, hinting at a potential recovery at the box office and positive future prospects for upcoming releases.