Now You See Me: Now You Don’t has achieved a significant milestone at the domestic box office, overtaking this year’s acclaimed Stephen King adaptation, The Long Walk, in ticket sales. The magic-themed thriller’s strong performance has cast a spotlight on the Stephen King box office 2025 landscape, highlighting shifting audience preferences in theaters.
‘Now You See Me 3’ Surpasses Stephen King Adaptation in Ticket Sales
Three weekends into its theatrical run, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t has brought in $42.6 million from American cinemas and amassed $109.4 million internationally, resulting in a worldwide revenue of $152 million. The film’s $42 million domestic total edges it ahead of The Long Walk, which until recently stood as one of the year’s box office highlights due to its critical acclaim and steady audience turnout.
Despite a mixed critical response—scoring 61% on Rotten Tomatoes—the movie has resonated strongly with viewers, earning an 81% rating on the Popcornmeter audience scale. It is helmed by director Ruben Fleischer, with a script shaped by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Michael Lesslie, Seth Grahame-Smith, and Eric Warren Singer. The ensemble cast features Jesse Eisenberg as J. Daniel Atlas, Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney, and Dave Franco, among others. The team’s combined efforts have sustained the film’s popularity while it remains in theaters ahead of its digital release window.
The Long Walk: A High Point for Stephen King Adaptations in 2025
The Long Walk, considered one of the standout films of 2025 and praised as the best adaptation of Stephen King’s work this year, boasts a Certified Fresh rating of 88% from critics and 85% endorsement from audiences. Many believe the film might even surpass the original source material in quality. Unlike the star-studded Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, The Long Walk’s lead roles were given to emerging talents David Jonsson, best known for Alien: Romulus, and Cooper Hoffman from Licorice Pizza, marking a different approach in casting.
Streaming Release Plans Remain Undisclosed
Lionsgate has not yet specified an exact date or confirmed which platform will offer streaming access to Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. Though its Starz platform remains the likely first stop for streaming, a future arrival on Netflix or HBO Max is still possible. Previous films in the series currently stream exclusively on MovieSphere by Lionsgate. Movie analysts anticipate an early 2025 streaming debut for Now You See Me 3, following a period of on-demand exclusivity after its theatrical window concludes.
Cast Highlights for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
The film stars Jesse Eisenberg in the role of J. Daniel Atlas, Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney, and features Dave Franco, all returning to reprise their roles and continuing the story of the charismatic team of illusionists. The presence of both established actors and fresh faces has contributed to the movie’s ongoing appeal and box office strength.
What the Box Office Shift Means for 2025
The recent performance of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, in overtaking The Long Walk, reflects both changing audience interests and the unpredictable nature of major theatrical releases in 2025. With acclaimed authors like Stephen King continuing to influence cinema, and franchises like Now You See Me maintaining strong ticket sales, industry watchers can expect further shifts as digital debuts begin and new releases enter theaters throughout the year.
