Box Office Upset: ‘Now You See Me 3’ Leaves ‘Running Man’ in the Dust
“Now You See Me 3” opened with $21.3 million and claimed the top spot over the weekend. The film marked the first entry in the series since 2016. It also earned $54.2 million across 64 international markets. Its worldwide total reached $75.5 million.
The strong opening helped Lionsgate, which has faced weak results from recent titles like “Ballerina” and “Good Fortune”. The studio expects a stronger slate with “The Housemaid” set for December and two major releases planned for 2026. Ruben Fleischer directed the film. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco returned to lead the cast. Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa and Ariana Greenblatt joined them. Lionsgate confirmed that a fourth film is in development.
“The Running Man” opened in second place with $17 million. The film matched Glen Powell with director Edgar Wright. Its global total reached $28.2 million. Paramount spent $110 million to make it, so the low result raised concern. Powell had enjoyed a long run of success with titles like “Anyone But You”, “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Twisters”. Wright had hoped for a stronger return after “Last Night in Soho” opened in 2021 during the Omicron wave. Paramount had expected more than $20 million for the debut.
Analysts said the film lacked momentum. Its audience skewed 63% male and 70% between 18 and 44. “Now You See Me 3” drew a crowd that was 54% female and 65% over 25.
“Predator: Badlands” placed third. It earned $13 million after a 68% drop in its second weekend. Its domestic total reached $66.3 million and its global total hit $136.3 million. The film cost $105 million to produce.
Neon’s “Keeper”, directed by Osgood Perkins, opened in seventh place with $2.5 million. Critics gave it poor reviews. Viewers gave it a “D+” grade. Perkins will return next year with “The Young People”.
Paramount’s “Regretting You” earned $4 million in its fourth weekend and reached $44.9 million domestically. “The Black Phone 2” added $2.6 million and reached $74.7 million in the United States.
“One Battle After Another” crossed $70 million domestically and $200 million worldwide. Warner Bros. spent $140 million on it, so the return fell short of its break-even mark.
The total domestic box office reached just over $75 million for the weekend. That figure was slightly higher than the same weekend last year, when “Red One” lifted ticket sales to $73.2 million. “Wicked: For Good” opens next weekend. Universal re-released “Wicked” and earned $1.2 million from the event.
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