Now You See Me Franchise Overview and Latest Public Data
The Now You See Me franchise is a series of heist thriller films produced by Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment, with the latest installment, Now You See Me: The Next Turn, in active development. The series follows the Four Horsemen, an illusionist group, and their clashes with law enforcement. The first film grossed over $351 million worldwide, while the second, Now You See Me: The Second Act, earned more than $650 million globally Forbes. Lionsgate remains the primary studio behind the franchise, with distribution handled by Lionsgate Films in the United States and international partners Lionsgate.
The production company Lionsgate Studios, which went public through a SPAC merger in 2024, lists the Now You See Me properties among its key IP assets. The franchise has generated a combined global box office total exceeding $1 billion across the first two films. Now You See Me: The Next Turn is currently in pre-production, with writers and directors attached, and casting announcements expected in the coming quarters Deadline. The series is rated PG-13 in the United States and has been classified as a fantasy heist thriller by the MPAA.
Cast, Crew, and Production Timeline
The main cast of the Now You See Me franchise includes Jesse Eisenberg as J. Daniel Atlas, Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney, Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves, Dave Franco as Jack Wilder, and Mark Ruffalo as FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes. Lizzy Caplan joined the series in the second film as Agent Lula May. The third film is expected to feature the return of several core cast members, with casting details still being finalized as of the latest public reports Variety.
Now You See Me: The Next Turn is directed by Ruben Fleischer, with a screenplay co-written by Ed Solomon and Seth Grahame-Smith. Filming for the third installment is expected to begin in late 2024, with a theatrical release window targeted for late 2025 or early 2026. The production budget for the third film is estimated to be in the range of $120 million to $150 million, consistent with the scale of the previous entries The Numbers. Lionsgate has confirmed that the film will continue the series' blend of stage magic, action sequences, and narrative twists.
Box Office Performance and Audience Reception
Now You See Me (2013) opened at number one at the U.S. box office and earned $117 million domestically, with a worldwide total of $351 million. Now You See Me: The Second Act (2016) expanded on that success, opening at number one and grossing $267 million in the U.S. and $650 million worldwide. The franchise has maintained a strong international presence, with significant audiences in China, the United Kingdom, and other key markets