Weekend Box Office: Magic Outshines Action
This weekend, Now You See Me 3 dazzled audiences, claiming the top spot at the domestic box office with a strong $21.3 million debut. Meanwhile, the Running Man remake stumbled with a $17 million opening, highlighting the unpredictable nature of franchise revivals.
Now You See Me 3: A Winning Trick
The Now You See Me franchise returned after a seven-year break, proving that its blend of heists and illusions still captivates audiences. Directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Venom), the film reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Isla Fisher while introducing fresh faces like Simone Ashley (Bridgerton) and Dave Bautista (Dune).
With a $21.3 million opening, Now You See Me 3 exceeded expectations ($18-20M projected) but fell short of Now You See Me 2’s $29M debut. Analysts credit its success to a sharp marketing campaign teasing high-stakes magic and strong early buzz.
“The Now You See Me series delivers exactly what fans want—big twists, star power, and slick visuals,” says box office analyst Rajesh Menon.
Running Man Fails to Sprint
The Hollywood remake of Running Man, starring Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu, opened soft at $17M. While the original (1987) has a cult following, critics called the reboot “overstuffed” and “uninspired.” A B- CinemaScore suggests audiences were similarly unimpressed.
“Remakes need a fresh angle, and Running Man didn’t find one,” notes entertainment journalist Priya Nair.
Holdovers & Indie Success
Last week’s winner, The Last Adventure, slipped to third ($12.5M, $45M total), while Cloudy with a Chance of Fun held strong ($8.7M). The indie horror Whispers in the Dark continued its breakout run, grossing $32M on a $5M budget.
Next Weekend’s Lineup
Galactic Outlaws (sci-fi) and Love in Mumbai (Bollywood romance) enter the fray, setting up a fresh box office battle.
Weekend Estimates (Domestic):
1. Now You See Me 3 – $21.3M
2. Running Man – $17M
3. The Last Adventure – $12.5M
4. Cloudy with a Chance of Fun – $8.7M
5. Whispers in the Dark – $4.2M
