Now You See Me 3 performed a box office magic trick by opening atop the global charts with $75.5 million this weekend, nearly a decade after the last film. The cop-and-conjurer sequel, directed by Ruben Fleischer, reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, and Mark Ruffalo as the Four Horsemen and features star-studded additions, delivering a complex new magic heist caper with international intrigue. The franchise continues its global strength, especially in Asia where China alone contributed $19.2 million, while U.S. audiences delivered a $21.3 million debut. With both nostalgia and spectacle, the third film is off to a strong start despite a competitive landscape.
Cast, Director, and Creative Team
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Writers: Michael Lesslie, Seth Grahame-Smith, Eric Warren Singer, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese
Main Cast: Jesse Eisenberg (J. Daniel Atlas), Woody Harrelson (Merritt McKinney), Dave Franco (Jack Wilder), Isla Fisher (Henley Reeves), Mark Ruffalo (Dylan Rhodes), Morgan Freeman (Thaddeus Bradley), with Justice Smith, Ariana Greenblatt, Dominic Sessa, and Rosamund Pike (Veronika Vanderberg, villainess).
Movie Story
The Four Horsemen return to take down a sophisticated global diamond syndicate run by Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike). Along the way, they recruit a younger generation of magicians for a gauntlet of elaborate heists across Asia and Europe, escalating the magic and the stakes. The plot weaves together old rivalries, mentorship arcs, and a campaign of Robin Hood-inspired justice as the Horsemen and their new allies attempt to stay one illusion ahead of the law and their criminal adversaries. The film’s grand finale features a massive magic duel inside a Parisian arena and a twist that sets up a possible fourth chapter.
Reviews and Ratings
Critics: Mixed to positive. Roger Ebert says “it’s the best script of all three, more interesting and suspenseful, and boasts a legitimately surprising villain.” Isla Fisher’s return and Pike’s performance as the villain are special highlights, while the team’s chemistry shines.
Rotten Tomatoes: 59% (Certified Fresh, marginally)
Audience: Strong crowd-pleasing scores, especially in overseas markets.
YouTube Reviewers: “The best of the franchise… entertains with sharp banter, grand tricks, and a zippy Gen Z energy.”
Overall: Action, spectacle, and the franchise’s best villain to date.
Box Office & Franchise Legacy
Now You See Me 3: $75.5M global opening weekend ($21.3M US, $54.2M international—China: $19.2M). Budget: $90M.
Now You See Me 2 (2016): $334.9M global ($65.1M US, $269.8M overseas, budget $120M).
Now You See Me (2013): $351.7M global ($117.7M US, $234M overseas, budget $75M).
The franchise’s creative blend of illusion, action, and ensemble banter has kept box office magic alive for over a decade, with this latest entry reinforcing the Four Horsemen’s international appeal.
