The box office welcomed a magical weekend as “Now You See Me 3” dominated the charts with an impressive opening. This latest installment, a crowd-pleaser in the making, easily outpaced the weekend’s other new releases, including “The Running Man” and “Keeper.” As the year heads into a competitive film season, the movie’s early performance is setting an exciting tone.
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A Magical Start for “Now You See Me 3”
Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” captivated audiences, snagging $8.4 million across Friday and preview screenings from 3,403 locations. This PG-13-rated continuation is on track for a three-day opening between $21 million and $24 million. These figures align with pre-weekend projections and are comparable to the 2016 entry, which launched at $22 million.
Despite mixed critical responses, the film is noted as the best-reviewed of the trilogy. Audiences have given it a positive “B+” CinemaScore, albeit slightly lower than the franchise’s previous entries. The return of stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco as illusionists adds to its allure. While the series has largely thrived internationally, Lionsgate’s strategy of selling international rights helps manage financial risks, although it curtails potential profits.
“The Running Man” Struggles to Keep Pace
Paramount’s “The Running Man,” featuring Glen Powell, finds itself trailing in the box office race. With $6.4 million collected from 3,534 locations, the film is falling short of its projection for an opening north of $20 million, now expecting somewhere in the $17 million to $19 million range.
This lukewarm start comes as a setback for the Stephen King adaptation, which boasts a significant $110 million production budget. Reviews have been modest, though audiences have granted it a B+ CinemaScore. With tough competition ahead from releases like “Wicked: For Good” and “Zootopia 2,” a stronger initial buzz would have been advantageous.
Other Weekend Highlights
Neon’s “Keeper,” directed by Osgood Perkins, launched with about $1 million from 1,950 locations, eyeing a fifth-place debut. This opening is a far cry from Perkins’ prior hits, such as “Longlegs” and “The Monkey,” both of which had stronger starts and better reviews. A disappointing CinemaScore of “D+” suggests audience disconnect.
Meanwhile, Disney’s “Predator: Badlands” experienced a 68% drop from its first Friday, accruing $3.5 million. The film’s domestic tally stands at $56 million, aiming for over $66 million by Sunday, with ambitions to surpass the franchise’s most successful entry, “Alien vs. Predator.”
Paramount’s “Regretting You” is set to round out the top five, bringing in $1.2 million on Friday. The Colleen Hoover adaptation is looking at a domestic total of $45 million through Sunday, maintaining a solid hold with only a 39% week-on-week drop.
The weekend proves that while some films cast a captivating spell on viewers, others need more than a second act to find their stride.