‘Now You See Me 3’ Surpasses ‘Running Man’ with $21.3 Million Debut

“Now You See Me 3” has made a remarkable entrance at the box office, achieving a $21.3 million debut. This solid performance allowed it to surpass Glen Powell’s action-thriller “The Running Man,” which earned only $17 million during the same period. The third installment in the “Now You See Me” series benefits from a loyal fan base, despite the lack of a new release since 2016.

Box Office Breakdown

• Weekend Performance: “Now You See Me 3” – $21.3 million debut
• Second Weekend Performance: “The Running Man” – $17 million
• International Earnings: “Now You See Me 3” – $54.2 million across 64 territories
• Total Worldwide Earnings: “Now You See Me 3” – $75.5 million
• International Earnings for “The Running Man”: $11.2 million
• Total Global Earnings for “The Running Man”: $28.2 million

Production Background and Future Projects

Lionsgate, the studio behind “Now You See Me 3,” invested $90 million in the film. After a series of disappointing releases in recent months, this success may signal a positive shift for the studio. Upcoming projects include “The Housemaid,” set for a December release, and major film adaptations such as “Michael,” focusing on Michael Jackson, and a new entry in “The Hunger Games” franchise, scheduled for 2026.

Director and Cast Details

The film is helmed by Ruben Fleischer, known for previous hits like “Venom” and “Zombieland.” It features returning stars including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco. The audience response has been promising, indicating the franchise remains viable, according to Paul Dergarabedian from ComScore.

Market Insights

On the demographic front, “Now You See Me 3” attracted a predominantly female audience, with 54% of the viewers being women and 65% aged over 25. In contrast, “The Running Man” drew a 63% male audience, with 70% ranging from 18 to 44. This insight illustrates how different genres appeal to varying viewer segments.

Performance of Other Films

From the weekend’s releases, “Predator: Badlands” struggled with a 68% drop, earning $13 million in its sophomore weekend, while “Keeper,” an independent horror film, debuted poorly at $2.5 million. Other films like “Regretting You” and “The Black Phone 2” also remain in the mix, but with less impact on the overall box office performance.

Conclusion

The success of “Now You See Me 3” is a promising development for Lionsgate and the film industry as a whole. As theaters prepare for a surge in content leading up to the holiday season, it will be interesting to see if this trend continues.