Lionsgate's Now You See Me: Now You Don’t claimed the top spot at the global box office with a $75.5 million opening, including $21.3 million domestically. The third installment in the illusionist franchise outperformed Paramount's The Running Man, which debuted to $17 million domestically despite high expectations. International markets drove much of the success for Now You See Me 3, marking a strong return for the series after nearly a decade.
Opening Weekend Performance
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, directed by Ruben Fleischer, earned $21.3 million in its domestic debut across 3,403 theaters. The film received a B+ CinemaScore, with audiences 54% female and 65% over the age of 25. Franchise stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco reprised their roles as the Four Horsemen, joined by newcomers Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt. Produced on a $90 million budget, the movie follows the magicians as they target corrupt elites.
"This is still a viable franchise," said Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at ComScore. "The international audience really delivered for the film."
International Breakdown
The film grossed $54.2 million from 64 international territories, securing No. 1 in 40 markets. Key performers included China at $19.2 million, South Korea at $3.9 million, France at $3.5 million, and the U.K. at $3.2 million. Kevin Grayson, head of domestic distribution for Lionsgate, noted, "We gave the audience exactly what they wanted." The blend of returning cast and younger stars broadened appeal, drawing in new moviegoers.
Competitors and Context
In second place, Edgar Wright's The Running Man, starring Glen Powell, opened to $17 million domestically and $11.2 million internationally for a $28.2 million global total. The $110 million adaptation of Stephen King's novel earned a B+ CinemaScore but appealed mainly to 63% male audiences aged 18-44. Analysts like Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations called it "dead in the water," citing insufficient traction amid its R rating and competition.
Meanwhile, 20th Century's Predator: Badlands dropped 68% to $13 million in its second weekend, reaching $66.3 million domestically and $136.3 million worldwide on a $105 million budget. Warner Bros.' One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, crossed $200 million globally after adding $1.4 million internationally.
The weekend's domestic total reached $75 million, up slightly from last year. A fourth Now You See Me film is in development, signaling franchise potential.