Why the ‘Now You See Me’ Movies Are Popular Despite Bad Reviews

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Despite being critically panned, the Now You See Me films have become surprisingly successful, even outperforming Edgar Wright’s The Running Man at the box office. This success is puzzling, as the movies barely avoid being completely unremarkable, yet a fourth installment is already planned. The series is starting to feel like a modern Transformers – a franchise that’s surprisingly popular with some, a big international hit, and yet often considered low-quality by vocal critics. It seems the films have found success by appealing to audiences outside of the West. How is it that strong negative opinions haven’t slowed down the franchise’s continued box office performance?

While Now You See Me: Now You Don’t initially did well in theaters, it’s fair to question who’s still interested in this series after Now You See Me 2 was widely considered one of the worst sequels in recent years. Let’s take a closer look.

Moviegoers Aren’t Listening to Critics or Other Fans

They’re Heading to the Theater To See ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t


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Currently, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t has a 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 118 reviews, which isn’t a bad score. However, like Rotten Tomatoes’ simple thumbs-up/thumbs-down system, this score doesn’t really capture the full picture. Most reviews aren’t overwhelmingly positive; instead, they suggest the film is just okay, with people being mildly impressed by the effects or performances rather than strongly recommending it.

In a review for MovieWeb, Julian Roman described the film as a disappointing “Bloated Bait and Switch.” He felt the large number of characters led to awkward, unnatural interactions, unlike the more organic feel of previous installments. Many other critics shared this negative assessment.

The film has received mixed reactions from audiences. Reviews on Letterboxd, where it currently has a 3.1 rating, range from highly critical – with some calling it a tired rehash of old ideas and a waste of time – to sarcastically positive. Most reviews don’t encourage viewers to rush to the cinema, suggesting it’s better suited for streaming. Even those who gave the film higher ratings often acknowledged its flaws, with some admitting they enjoyed it despite its poor quality or focusing on the cast’s appearance.

It’s clear that moviegoers and critics aren’t always on the same page these days, and many people don’t rely on reviews unless they really trust a specific writer or online personality. The new film is also getting a mixed reaction from fans – some are enjoying it despite acknowledging it’s not a great movie. Is it becoming one of those films that’s ‘so bad it’s good,’ like the previous Now You See Me movies? Are people simply going to the theater for a visually impressive experience, or are they drawn in by the stars? All of these factors seem to be playing a role, and a closer look at the box office numbers suggests there’s more to the story.

The ‘Now You See Me’ Franchise Has Captured a More Global Audience


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Although Now You See Me: Now You Don’t earned more than The Running Man during their opening weekend, the difference wasn’t huge. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t made $21.3 million domestically, while The Running Man earned $17 million, according to Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, this is the weakest domestic opening weekend of any film in the Now You See Me series. The film is performing very well internationally, however, bringing in over $54 million worldwide during its opening weekend.

China is a huge driver of international box office success, but what makes certain movies resonate there? While big-budget action franchises like Fast & Furious and Transformers, as well as superhero films from Marvel and DC, do well, the Now You See Me series has been particularly popular. This isn’t just about spectacle and famous actors. The films cleverly avoid supernatural themes, presenting fantastical events as illusions – a smart move, as Chinese censorship often restricts or bans content involving magic. Plus, the movies are marketed in a way that celebrates Chinese culture, which seems to appeal strongly to audiences.

A recent article on the Chinese entertainment website, CRJ, sheds light on the success of the Now You See Me films in China. The article highlights that the movies feature Eastern visual styles and that the second film, largely set in Macau, was intended as a gesture of appreciation to Chinese fans. This focus on the Chinese market may explain why Now You See Me 2 performed so well there. While the film earned $65.08 million domestically, it generated $97 million in profit from China alone, according to Box Office Mojo.

Different cultures and countries naturally enjoy different things in movies. What one country dislikes, another might love, and that’s perfectly okay – no one’s taste is better than another’s. However, the Now You See Me movies have become particularly successful thanks to audiences in China, and this pattern is expected to continue with future installments.

So, Who Watched ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ in Theaters?


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Despite what news reports might suggest, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t isn’t actually very popular in the United States. While it received media attention, its box office numbers tell a different story. In 2025, F1: The Movie had a much stronger opening weekend (according to Box Office Pro), and A Minecraft Movie significantly outperformed it with $162 million (according to Box Office Mojo). Even Superman, which had a mixed reception, earned $122 million in its opening weekend (via Forbes).

Let’s be real, here. I’m not expecting huge crowds for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t in the States. It’ll likely be a dedicated fanbase – or people curious to see just how bad it is – doing most of the seeing. But honestly? That’s okay. The film seems poised to do big business in China, and that’s where the money is. Ultimately, if a movie finds its audience, it can succeed, and right now, that audience is looking like it’s primarily overseas. You can catch it in theaters now, if you’re curious.

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2025-11-20 21:42