Get ready for a thrilling box office showdown! The magic of 'Now You See Me 3' is about to captivate audiences, leaving 'The Running Man' in its dust.
Lionsgate's latest installment, 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't', is creating a buzz at the domestic box office. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, this surprise hit is expected to bring in a whopping $21-$24 million, leaving Paramount's big-budget remake, 'The Running Man', in the dust.
But here's where it gets interesting: the film's success is largely driven by female audiences. A whopping 54% of ticket sales so far have been from women, flocking to see the third installment of this long-dormant franchise about a group of thieving magicians. And the positive word-of-mouth is spreading like wildfire, with solid exit scores and a B+ CinemaScore.
'Now You See Me 3' reunites fan-favorite actors Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Isla Fisher, who portray the iconic Four Horsemen. They're joined by a talented trio of younger magicians, played by Justice Smith, Ariana Greenblatt, and Dominic Sessa, adding a fresh twist to the franchise.
Initially, the film was projected to debut with a modest $19 million, while 'The Running Man' was expected to dominate with $25 million. However, early returns have shifted the tide, with Paramount now estimating an opening in the $17-$19 million range for 'The Running Man'. Rival studios, however, predict a lower opening of around $16 million, based on its opening-day gross of $6.4 million.
Directed by Edgar Wright, 'The Running Man' stars Glen Powell, who has been on a box office winning streak until now. This film marks a rare miss for Powell, who has previously starred in a string of successful hits. The gender breakdown of the audience is a notable difference between the two films, with 'The Running Man' skewing heavily male (64%), which may impact its performance against the holdover 'Predator: Badlands'.
And this is the part most people miss: 'The Running Man' is an adaptation of Stephen King's dystopian novel, a bold take on a deadly reality show that distracts from the classist society. It stars Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, and Emilia Jones, yet it's 'Now You See Me 3' that's stealing the show.
So, who will take the second spot? 'Running Man' or 'Badlands'? And will 'Regretting You' make an impact? Stay tuned for the full box office breakdown!
Lastly, Osgood Perkins' 'Keeper' is headed for a disappointing debut, estimated at $2.6 million. With a D+ CinemaScore and poor audience exit polls, it seems this film might struggle to find its audience.
Which film are you most excited to see? And do you think 'Now You See Me 3' deserves its surprise win? Let's discuss in the comments!
