Lionsgate’s ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ is creating ripples at the domestic box office, with projections indicating a surprising lead over Paramount’s high-profile release, ‘The Running Man.’ Directed by Ruben Fleischer, ‘Now You See Me 3’ is expected to perform better than initial forecasts, estimated to haul in between $21 million and $24 million from 3,403 theaters this weekend. This unexpected triumph over competitors could signal robust market interest for associated merchandise among collectors.
A notable aspect driving ‘Now You See Me 3’ is the impressive turnout from female audiences, who have comprised 54 percent of ticket sales. This demographic shift may reveal opportunities for retailers to expand their product lines to cater to this segment, especially within collectibles tied to the film’s franchise.
Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, with a B+ CinemaScore and an 80 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s solid exit scores have outpaced those of ‘The Running Man.’ The latter’s lower turnout can be attributed, in part, to its skewed male demographic (64 percent), which may impact merchandise sales as it competes against existing franchises like ‘Predator: Badlands.’
As the second adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 dystopian novel, ‘The Running Man,’ directed by Edgar Wright, features a cast led by Glen Powell. However, initial estimates have been adjusted downward following its Friday gross of $6.4 million, with expectations now between $17 million to $19 million. The film’s challenges at the box office could reflect broader implications for collector appeal and retailer inventory decisions.
Moreover, the performance of other new releases like Osgood Perkins’ ‘Keeper,’ currently tracking for a disappointing $2.6 million opening, continues to paint a challenging landscape for new IPs which could impact their collectible launches. Collectors and retailers alike should take note of these dynamics as they further shape the toy and collectibles market.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/now-you-see-me-box-office-upset-running-man-1236427896/.
