Weekend Box Office: Now You See Me 3 Outshines The Running Man Reboot

As the pre-Thanksgiving movie season kicks off, two major films are vying for the top spot at the box office this weekend: Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” the third installment of the magician heist franchise, and Paramount’s reboot of the classic sci-fi thriller “The Running Man,” originally starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Early estimates suggest that “Now You See Me 3” is poised to lead the weekend with an impressive opening of $21 million to $24 million, following a strong $8.4 million on Friday.

The success of “Now You See Me 3” comes as a surprise to many, especially given that tracking had initially predicted a more modest opening in the high teens. However, the film’s anticipation has surged in recent weeks, benefiting from nostalgia for the franchise, which last saw a release nine years ago. Directed by Ruben Fleischer and featuring a star-studded cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco, the film has garnered a B+ CinemaScore, indicating positive audience reception. Interestingly, the film’s appeal seems to skew towards female audiences, with women making up 54% of ticket sales.

In contrast, “The Running Man,” directed by Edgar Wright and featuring Glen Powell, is projected to open with around $16 million to $18 million. Despite initial optimism, the film’s momentum appears to have waned in recent days. It also received a B+ CinemaScore, mirroring the original’s reception, but with a more male-dominated audience composition—64% male compared to 36% female.

Both films are benefiting from a rainy weekend on the West Coast, which is likely driving more moviegoers to theaters. “Now You See Me 3” is also making waves internationally, with early box office returns from China showing promise, having already grossed nearly $16 million. Lionsgate is further capitalizing on the franchise’s popularity by launching a magic stage show at the Sydney Opera House next month, followed by a global tour.

Meanwhile, the rest of the box office is seeing mixed results. “Predator: Badlands,” the latest entry in the Predator franchise, is expected to take third place with a projected $13 million to $14 million in its second weekend, reflecting a significant drop from its opening. Paramount’s “Regretting You” continues to perform steadily, while NEON’s horror film “Keeper” is struggling with a disappointing D+ CinemaScore and an opening estimate of just $2.6 million.

Overall, the weekend box office is shaping up to be robust, with total earnings expected to reach around $75 million, a 7% increase compared to the same weekend last year. As audiences flock to theaters for these new releases, the competition between “Now You See Me 3” and “The Running Man” highlights the enduring appeal of both franchises and the excitement of the cinematic landscape as we approach the holiday season.