In a surprising box office turn, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” the latest chapter in the popular magician heist series, has outperformed the much-anticipated action film “The Running Man” in North American theaters this past weekend. According to Sunday’s studio estimates, Lionsgate’s magical caper garnered $21.3 million, surpassing Paramount’s action-packed offering, which brought in $17 million.

Produced with a budget of approximately $90 million, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” marks its return nearly a decade after the second film. Its global debut, including earnings from 64 international markets, is projected at around $75.5 million. Pre-weekend forecasts had anticipated a tighter contest between these two new releases.

The “Now You See Me” franchise has previously enjoyed significant success, with its first two films, released in 2013 and 2016, amassing over $686 million worldwide. This latest installment, directed by Ruben Fleischer, reunites audiences with the original “Four Horsemen” team—Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco—while also introducing fresh talent with Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Justice Smith. Plans for a fourth film are already underway.

Critics have offered mixed reviews, with the film securing a 59% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audience insights from PostTrak reveal a more favorable reception, with 63% of viewers expressing a strong recommendation.

Meanwhile, “The Running Man” received slightly less enthusiastic audience feedback, with a 58% “definitely recommend” rating. Both films achieved a B+ CinemaScore, though “Now You See Me” attracted a larger audience, particularly among female moviegoers who represented 54% of its viewership, in contrast to just 37% for “The Running Man.”

Edgar Wright directed and co-wrote “The Running Man,” the second adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, first published in 1982. The first film starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and was released in 1987 to mixed reviews and a tepid box office, earning only $38 million against a $27 million budget. The new version stars Glen Powell, who has had a good track record starring in box office hits, from the romantic comedy “Anyone But You” to “Twisters.”

Paramount Pictures released “The Running Man” in 3,400 domestic locations and 58 international markets. Worldwide, it earned $28.2 million against a reported $110 million budget.

The weekend’s other new opener, “Keeper,” the third feature from “Longlegs” filmmaker Oz Perkins, cratered with $2.6 million and a D+ CinemaScore. But as an acquisition title for Neon, it’s also not a disaster.

Third place went to “Predator: Badlands” with $13 million in its second weekend, followed by “Regretting You” in fourth with $4 million. “Black Phone 2” rounded out the top five with $2.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $74.7 million after five weeks in theaters.

In anticipation of the big budget musical “Wicked: For Good,” which opens next week, Universal Pictures put “Wicked” back in 2,195 theaters, where it made $1.2 million — barely missing a spot in the top 10.

The box office should pick up considerably when “Wicked 2” blows into theaters, followed by “Zootopia 2” before the Thanksgiving holiday. Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian said it could be one of the highest grossing five-day Thanksgiving frames of all time.