‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ Surges with $21M Domestic Opening
Lionsgate Films’ latest release, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” has made an impactful debut, securing a remarkable $21.3 million at the domestic box office. This film is the third installment in the popular “Now You See Me” franchise.
Box Office Performance
The original film, released in 2013, had a domestic opening of over $29 million. Its sequel, “Now You See Me 2,” released in 2016, debuted at $22 million. The new installment’s performance indicates strong franchise appeal.
Marketing Strategies
Shawn Robbins, an expert at Fandango, attributes part of the weekend’s success to effective marketing strategies. Lionsgate’s advertising included creative social media promotions that connected with a younger audience.
According to Lionsgate, approximately half of the ticket buyers for “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” were women, with a considerable demographic consisting of viewers over the age of 25.
Competitive Landscape
The film’s performance placed it ahead of Paramount Pictures’ “The Running Man,” which earned $17 million. This movie marked the second adaptation of a Stephen King novel and featured a classic performance by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 film.
Market Trends
Paul Dergarabedian, a marketplace trends expert, noted that the simultaneous releases of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” and “The Running Man” were well-timed. Both films are expected to maintain audience interest as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
Box office analyst David A. Gross pointed out that “The Running Man” performed above average compared to the last 18 King adaptations, which averaged $14.6 million in domestic openings.
Upcoming Releases
In a broader context, the recent box office trends signal a potential recovery. Hollywood faced a sluggish period this fall, but upcoming releases are expected to revitalize ticket sales.
- “Wicked: For Good” – Expected to earn $140 to $180 million when it releases.
- “Zootopia 2” – Launching during Thanksgiving weekend.
- “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” – A sequel to the 2023 horror film.
- Additional anticipated releases: “Avatar: Fire and Ice,” “Marty Supreme,” “Anaconda,” and “Song Sung Blue” on December 25.
Experts forecast an energetic finish to the year, with Dergarabedian stating that the upcoming six weeks could significantly boost box office figures after a period of stagnation.
