Hollywood’s newest magic-meets-heist blockbuster, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” has made a spectacular entrance into Nigerian cinemas, pulling an impressive ₦34.2 million in its opening weekend and instantly claiming the No. 1 spot nationwide.
The film — the third instalment in the fan-favourite Now You See Me franchise — screened from November 14 to 16, drawing in large crowds eager to see the return of the franchise’s iconic mix of illusion, adrenaline and witty deception.
A Magnetic Comeback for the Horsemen
Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the movie reunites audiences with the core cast that made the franchise a global hit — Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman, and Lizzy Caplan.
But this cinematic chapter also introduces a bold new lineup of illusionists, including Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Rosamund Pike, giving the story a fresh, youthful pulse.
New Tricks, Bigger Stakes
Set more than ten years after the first film, Now You See Me 3 ushers in a new trio — Charlie, Bosco Leroy, and June McClure — who engineer a faux Four Horsemen spectacle powered by high-end digital trickery: deepfakes, holograms, and sleek sleight-of-tech.
Their elaborate ruse targets a crooked cryptocurrency mogul whose misdeeds they expose in classic Horsemen style — by redistributing his fraudulent wealth.
Meanwhile, original Horseman J. Daniel Atlas returns with a mysterious mission revolving around a mystical tarot card, the enigmatic society known as The Eye, and the world’s most coveted diamond, “The Heart.”
A Global Smash with Local Firepower
While the film drew huge numbers in Nigeria, its global performance has been equally spellbinding.
Now You See Me 3 collected $75.5 million worldwide in its debut, with $54.2 million coming from international markets across 64 countries.
China led the global charge with $19.2 million, followed by strong openings in South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom.
Why Nigeria’s Big Opening Matters
Box Office Momentum: The ₦34.2 million haul signals strong local appetite for fast-paced, high-production Hollywood titles.
Franchise Loyalty: The blend of returning favourites and new-wave magicians taps into both nostalgia and novelty.
Cinema Industry Growth: The film’s success boosts Nigeria’s expanding theatrical market, which recorded ₦3.48 billion in earnings in Q1 2025, reflecting a robust and growing audience base.
“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” has clearly cast a powerful spell over Nigerian moviegoers — and with momentum still rising globally, the magic is far from over.
