Now You See Me: Now You Don’t" Dominates Box Office, Surpassing "The Running Man
Lionsgate has reclaimed the top spot at the box office with the release of "Now You See Me: Now You Don’t," the third movie in the magician heist series. The film earned $8.4 million from 3,403 screens and is expected to have an opening weekend between $21 million and $24 million, surpassing Paramount’s "The Running Man."
With a reported budget of $90 million, Lionsgate is likely to break even theatrically by utilizing foreign presales and co-production deals. "Now You See Me 3" features do-gooder magicians executing heists and has Cohen Pictures and Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout as production partners.
Critics have given "Now You See Me 3" a mixed reception, while audiences have responded more positively, resulting in Rotten Tomatoes scores of 58% from critics and 82% from the audience. The film received a B+ CinemaScore, slightly lower than its predecessors.
Competing for the second spot on the box office charts is "The Running Man," which is up against the second weekend of 20th Century’s "Predator: Badlands." "The Running Man," a sci-fi adaptation of a Stephen King book, is projected to have an opening weekend between $16 million and $20 million, falling short of initial expectations.
Despite positive feedback, "The Running Man" has not garnered as strong of a reception as "Predator: Badlands," with Rotten Tomatoes scores of 64% from critics and 83% from the audience, along with a B+ CinemaScore. "Predator: Badlands" is expected to see a 62% drop in its second weekend, with a total domestic gross of around $68 million after ten days.