“Now You See Me” Dominates Box Office, “Running Man” Stumbles

The latest episode of the “Daily Variety” podcast offered a compelling deep dive into the recent box office battle between two highly anticipated films: the reboot of ‘The Running Man’ and the latest installment in the ‘Now You See Me’ franchise, cleverly titled ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.’ While the latter conjured a significant win, ‘The Running Man’ stumbled in its opening weekend. The podcast further featured an insightful discussion with Focus Features Chairman Peter Kujawski, who shared his perspectives on the evolving landscape of moviegoing and the critical role of fandom in today’s cinematic world.

Box Office Showdown: ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ Outperforms ‘The Running Man’

The weekend’s box office results presented a clear victor in the contest between a magic-themed heist thriller and a dystopian action remake. Lionsgate’s ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,’ the third film in the popular series, claimed the top spot. The film opened on November 14, 2025, with an estimated $21.3 million domestically and a worldwide total of approximately $75.5 million against a reported budget of $90 million. This performance solidified the franchise’s continued appeal, building on the success of its predecessors. The first ‘Now You See Me’ (2013) garnered $351.7 million globally on a $75 million budget, and ‘Now You See Me 2’ (2016) brought in $334.9 million worldwide against a budget of $90-120 million.

Conversely, Paramount Pictures’ ambitious reboot of ‘The Running Man,’ also released on November 14, 2025, faced a more challenging reception. Directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell, the film secured the second position at the box office, grossing $17 million domestically and $28.2 million worldwide during its opening weekend. This figure fell short of its reported $110 million production budget. The original 1987 film, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was considered a modest hit, bringing in $38 million domestically on a $27 million budget. Analysts cited potential marketing challenges stemming from leadership changes at Paramount as a contributing factor to the film’s softer opening.

Audience and critical reception also painted a contrasting picture for the two films. While both received a B+ CinemaScore, ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ garnered a 63% “definitely recommend” score from audiences, slightly higher than ‘The Running Man’s’ 58%. Critically, ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ registered 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, with ‘The Running Man’ landing at 64%, indicating mixed reviews for both.

Peter Kujawski on Moviegoing and Fandom

The podcast also featured an enlightening discussion with Peter Kujawski, the Chairman of Focus Features, about the inherent value of moviegoing and the growing influence of fandom. Kujawski, who has led Focus Features since 2016, emphasized that for him, a film is “never content.” He believes that the communal experience of watching a film in a theater is an integral part of its essence, a sentiment deeply rooted in his lifelong love of cinema.

Kujawski highlighted the significant role platforms like Letterboxd and social media play in shaping audience engagement and giving fans a sense of ownership over films. He views these avenues as tools to “facilitate” the existing energy and passion of audiences, rather than attempting to artificially create it. Under his leadership, Focus Features, known for its prestige and specialty films, consistently aims to develop and distribute filmmaker-driven projects that spark cultural conversations. Kujawski believes that a dedication to strong storytelling and the filmmaker’s vision naturally leads to critical acclaim and audience connection, often translating into awards recognition.

Furthermore, Kujawski stressed the importance of maintaining a “regular cadence” of film releases to foster and sustain the habit of moviegoing among audiences. This approach is particularly relevant for the specialty film market, where consistent offerings help to draw back and retain core older audiences who might have been slower to return to theaters.

FAQ Section

Q1: What is the significance of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” winning the box office?

The box office win of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” demonstrates the enduring appeal of the magic-heist franchise, indicating a strong audience base willing to return for new installments, even after a significant gap since the previous film.

Q2: Why did “The Running Man” reboot reportedly stumble at the box office?

“The Running Man” reboot’s box office performance was impacted by several factors, including mixed critical reviews, intense competition from “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” and reported marketing challenges at Paramount Pictures due to internal leadership changes.

Q3: What is Peter Kujawski’s philosophy on films and moviegoing?

Peter Kujawski, Chairman of Focus Features, believes films are more than mere “content”; they are communal experiences. He champions filmmaker-driven storytelling and recognizes the power of fandom, particularly through social media, in shaping how audiences engage with and take ownership of films. He also advocates for a consistent release schedule to encourage regular moviegoing.

Conclusion

The recent box office figures offer a snapshot of the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of the film industry. While Lionsgate celebrated a successful opening for ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,’ Paramount’s ‘The Running Man’ faced an uphill battle. This scenario, alongside Peter Kujawski’s insights from Focus Features, underscores the blend of strategic distribution, audience connection, and compelling storytelling required for cinematic success. His emphasis on the communal experience and the power of fandom highlights a crucial aspect of film’s cultural relevance, reminding us that beyond the numbers, the shared journey of watching a story unfold on the big screen continues to captivate and connect audiences worldwide.