Lionsgate’s latest chapter, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, pulled in $8.4 million on Friday and during early previews across 3,403 theaters. The PG-13 threequel is on track for a weekend launch between $21 million and $24 million — right in line with expectations and close to the $22 million opening of the 2016 installment.
While critics remain lukewarm on Now You Don’t, it still marks the best critical reception of the trilogy so far. Audience reaction is slightly more favorable, earning a solid B+ CinemaScore, though that falls short of the A- ratings the earlier films enjoyed. Lionsgate invested more than $90 million to bring the franchise back, with Ruben Fleischer directing and original cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco reprising their magician-thief roles. As with previous films, most revenue is expected to come from overseas markets. Lionsgate usually licenses its international distribution, reducing financial risk but also limiting its potential upside.
Paramount’s The Running Man, led by Glen Powell, is in a tight race for second place against last weekend’s champ, Predator: Badlands. The R-rated thriller earned $6.4 million from Friday and previews across 3,534 theaters. That trajectory falls short of earlier expectations of a $20 million-plus debut, with estimates now landing between $17 million and $19 million.
It’s a rocky start for the film, based on the Stephen King story and produced for a hefty $110 million through a partnership with Domain Entertainment. Reviews have been middling, though audiences have responded more positively with a B+ CinemaScore. With major releases like Wicked: For Good and Zootopia 2 looming, The Running Man likely needed a stronger opening to stay competitive through November.
Neon’s Keeper, the newest horror film from writer-director Osgood Perkins, also arrived this weekend, picking up roughly $1 million from 1,950 theaters during Friday and previews. It’s expected to finish fifth. The debut pales in comparison to Perkins’ last two films — last summer’s breakout Longlegs ($22 million) and the spring release The Monkey ($14 million). The reviews are weaker too, and the film earned a rough D+ CinemaScore.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Predator: Badlands collected $3.5 million in its second Friday, marking a steep 68% drop from its opening day. The sci-fi sequel has now reached $56 million domestically and is projected to pass $66 million by the end of the weekend. It’s chasing Alien vs. Predator, still the franchise’s domestic box-office leader with $80.2 million.
Rounding out the top five, Regretting You posted $1.2 million on Friday and is headed for a fourth-weekend total of about $4 million — a very solid 39% decline. By Sunday, Paramount’s adaptation of the Colleen Hoover novel is expected to reach $45 million domestically.