Now You See Me: Now You Don't Secures Top Spot Despite Franchise Low

The cinematic caper "Now You See Me: Now You Don't" successfully claimed the number one position at the North American box office during its opening weekend, spanning November 14 through November 16, 2025. The film, which serves as the third installment in the popular illusionist franchise, generated $21.3 million in domestic receipts. However, this figure represents the lowest debut performance for the series to date. It trailed significantly behind the original film, which premiered in 2013 with a robust $29.3 million haul, and the 2016 sequel, which opened to $22.4 million. The movie officially launched in US theaters on November 14, 2025, following its initial international premiere in the Netherlands on November 11.

Director Ruben Fleischer, known for his work on blockbuster hits such as "Venom" and "Zombieland," returned to helm the project, reuniting the core ensemble cast. Key returning players include Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson. They were joined by several notable newcomers, specifically Justice Smith and Rosamund Pike, who added fresh dynamics to the team. The narrative arc of the third chapter centers on the magicians' audacious attempt to execute a high-stakes diamond theft, targeting an influential criminal syndicate. A significant change for the franchise is the absence of veteran actor Michael Caine, who retired from acting prior to production.

While the domestic start was modest compared to its predecessors, the film demonstrated formidable momentum in overseas markets. Globally, "Now You See Me: Now You Don't" amassed an impressive $75.5 million during its debut weekend. This substantial worldwide performance cemented its status as the 43rd film released in 2025 to cross the $75 million threshold within its first three days. International markets contributed the lion's share of the revenue, accounting for $54.2 million across 64 territories. The Asian market proved particularly lucrative, with China delivering a massive $21.6 million. This strong international showing reinforces the established pattern that the series traditionally garners a more enthusiastic response outside of North America.

Industry analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research weighed in on the results, observing that it is often challenging for crime and adventure franchises to maintain relevance and audience engagement by their third outing. Nevertheless, Gross noted that the core characters of the "Now You See Me" series continue to resonate strongly with moviegoers. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, sustained audience popularity is evident, a factor that has already led to the official confirmation of a fourth installment. Director Fleischer confirmed that the production team is actively developing the script for the next film, with plans targeting a release sometime next year.

The film’s primary domestic competition came from "The Running Man," starring Glen Powell, which debuted in the second spot with $17 million. This figure represents a slight underperformance for "The Running Man," given its substantial production budget of $110 million. In contrast, "Now You See Me: Now You Don't," produced on a budget of $90 million, is clearly banking on its international appeal to achieve profitability. This strategy mirrors the success of the second part of the franchise, where a staggering 80.6% of its total box office revenue originated from markets outside the United States.