“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” just pulled off a surprise win at the box office, outperforming Glen Powell’s “The Running Man” and the notable “Predator: Badlands.” Over the weekend, the latest entry in the “Now You See Me” series scored a solid $21.3 million. This result is impressive since it has been since 2016 that fans last saw these illusionists on screen. Globally, the film raked in $75.5 million, including $54.2 million from 64 international markets. This is great news for Lionsgate, especially since they have struggled recently with other projects.
Paul Dergarabedian, a box office expert from ComScore, said, “This is still a viable franchise. The international audience really delivered for the film.” This supports the idea that global markets can substantially influence a film’s success.
Meanwhile, “The Running Man” had a rough debut, finishing second with only $17 million domestically. It earned an additional $11.2 million internationally, making its total $28.2 million. Given that Paramount spent $110 million making it, these numbers are disappointing. “The Running Man” is actually the second attempt to adapt Stephen King’s dystopian tale; the first was the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. This shows how challenging it can be to revitalize classic stories for new audiences.
Concerning audience demographics, the two films attracted different crowds. “The Running Man” attracted a primarily male audience (63%) aged 18 to 44, while “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” appealed more to women (54%) and those over 25 (65%). This shift in audience can inform marketing strategies for upcoming films.
In its second weekend, “Predator: Badlands” dropped sharply by 68%, grossing $13 million, which brings its domestic total to $66.3 million against a production budget of $105 million. This steep decline highlights the challenges recent releases face in maintaining viewer interest.
In contrast, Neon’s indie horror film “Keeper” flopped with just $2.5 million, marking a significant drop compared to previous works by its director. Critics didn’t favor the film either, giving it a “D+” grade. It seems audiences aren’t always forgiving, especially when a film doesn’t live up to expectations.
Amid all this, “Regretting You,” based on Colleen Hoover’s popular novel, has quietly earned $44.9 million after four weekends. Universal’s “The Black Phone 2” joined the top five, boosting its cumulative earnings to $74.7 million.
With the total box office reaching over $75 million, it’s slightly better than last year’s numbers. Theater owners are hoping for a rebound with the upcoming release of “Wicked: For Good.”
Dergarabedian notes, “We’re in the calm before the Thanksgiving storm. Things are about to heat up.”
With so many different genres competing for attention, it’s clear that audience preferences are shifting. The landscape of cinema continues to evolve, reflecting broader social trends and tastes. For filmmakers and studios, understanding this shift is crucial for future successes.
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Box Office,Now You See Me: Now You Don't,The Running Man
