If you’re sitting on your couch wondering exactly how many Now You See Me movies you need to queue up for a weekend binge, the answer is currently short and sweet. There are two. Just two.
It feels like there should be more, right? The flashy aesthetics of the Four Horsemen—that ragtag group of illusionist Robin Hoods—occupy a weirdly large space in our collective pop-culture memory. Maybe it's because the first film was such a surprise sleeper hit in 2013, or maybe it’s because the cast is so stacked with heavy hitters like Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Mark Ruffalo. Whatever the reason, the franchise has a "larger than life" energy that makes people assume it's a sprawling cinematic universe.
But as of right now, you only have Now You See Me (2013) and Now You See Me 2 (2016) to watch.
The Current State of the Horsemen
The first film introduced us to the concept of the Eye—a secret society of magicians—and followed four street performers who were brought together to pull off massive, impossible heists. It was fun. It was kinetic. It made over $350 million on an $75 million budget. Lionsgate obviously wanted more.
By the time the sequel rolled around three years later, the stakes got weirder. We got Daniel Radcliffe playing a tech-wizard villain (a cheeky nod to his Potter days) and some truly insane card-throwing sequences. While the sequel didn't quite capture the same "magic" with critics as the original, it still pulled in a massive global audience. Since 2016, though? Silence.
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Actually, that’s not entirely true. There has been plenty of noise, but very little movement.
Wait, Isn’t There a Third One?
This is where things get interesting for anyone tracking how many Now You See Me movies are actually in existence versus how many are in development. For years, Now You See Me 3 has been the "Vaporware" of the film world. It was announced almost immediately after the second film hit theaters, but it sat in development hell for the better part of a decade.
Scripts were written. Directors were attached and then detached.
But here is the factual update you’re looking for: Now You See Me 3 is officially happening. In late 2024 and heading into 2025, production finally kicked into high gear. Ruben Fleischer, the guy behind Zombieland and Venom, stepped in to direct. The original cast—Eisenberg, Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Morgan Freeman—are all reportedly returning. This is a big deal because Isla Fisher was notably absent from the second film due to her pregnancy, replaced by Lizzy Caplan’s character, Lula. Having the original four back together is a move clearly designed to recapture that 2013 lightning in a bottle.
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New Blood in the Deck
The third film isn't just a reunion tour. Lionsgate is bringing in some fresh faces to skew the demographic younger. We’re talking about Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt. It’s an interesting play. It suggests that they aren't just making a trilogy capper; they are likely trying to build a foundation for a franchise that could span another decade.
Why the Massive Gap?
You might wonder why it took nearly ten years to get a third movie off the ground. Hollywood usually strikes while the iron is hot.
The delay mostly came down to the script. If you look at the production history, Eric Warren Singer (who wrote Top Gun: Maverick) was brought in to pen a draft, and later, Seth Grahame-Smith took a crack at it. Magic movies are notoriously difficult to write. You have to write a heist movie, then hide the heist inside a magic trick, and then explain the magic trick without making the audience feel stupid.
Then you have the scheduling. Coordination is a nightmare when your lead actors are busy winning Oscars or starring in massive superhero franchises. Getting Mark Ruffalo and Woody Harrelson in the same room for three months is an expensive, logistical headache.
Breaking Down the Watch Order (So Far)
Since there are only two movies currently available, the "watch order" is incredibly straightforward. You don't need a complex timeline or a multiverse map.
- Now You See Me (2013): Directed by Louis Leterrier. This is the origin story. It’s arguably the better of the two because the mystery of "The Eye" feels genuinely intriguing.
- Now You See Me 2 (2016): Directed by Jon M. Chu. This one jumps forward a year. It's more of a global romp, moving the action to Macau. It doubles down on the "magic is science/tech" angle.
There was also talk of a Chinese spin-off at one point. After the second film did huge numbers in China, Lionsgate discussed a localized version starring Jay Chou (who appeared in the sequel). That project seems to have faded into the background in favor of the main-line third film, but in the world of magic, things have a way of reappearing when you least expect them.
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The "Magic" Behind the Scenes
One thing that sets these movies apart—and why fans keep asking how many Now You See Me movies there are—is the commitment to real stagecraft. David Copperfield actually served as a co-producer and consultant.
The actors didn't just show up and let CGI do the work. They went to "magic camp." Jesse Eisenberg had to learn how to expertly flick cards. Dave Franco spent weeks practicing how to throw playing cards with enough force to cut fruit (a skill he actually got pretty good at).
When you watch the movies, you can tell. Even though the "big" tricks are obviously Hollywood-sized, the small-hand movements are often legitimate sleight of hand. That groundedness is what saved the films from being generic action flicks. It gave them a texture that felt unique in an era of green-screen exhaustion.
What to Expect Next
The third film is currently slated for a late 2025 or early 2026 release. It’s being described as a "reimagining" that still honors the existing canon. What does that mean? Likely that the Four Horsemen are now the veterans, perhaps acting as mentors to the new cast members mentioned earlier.
The plot is being kept under wraps, but the theme will almost certainly involve how magic survives in a world of deepfakes and AI. It’s the logical progression. The first movie was about old-school stage magic. The second was about big data and privacy. The third has a lot of modern technological deception to play with.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive back into this world or prepare for the upcoming release, don't just stop at the movies.
- Rewatch with an Eye for Detail: In the first film, pay close attention to the background of the scenes before the Horsemen meet. The "Eye" symbols are hidden in plain sight throughout the first 20 minutes.
- Check the Deleted Scenes: The Blu-ray versions of the first movie contain an extended ending that clarifies the fate of the secret society—something that the theatrical cut left a bit too vague.
- Track the Production: Keep an eye on Lionsgate’s official press releases over the next six months. As filming wraps, we’ll start seeing the first "teaser" posters, which usually contain hidden puzzles—a staple of this franchise's marketing.
- Explore the Real Magic: If the films sparked an interest in the "how-to," look up the work of mentalist Keith Barry, who was the lead magic consultant for the cast. His real-world demonstrations are often more mind-blowing than the movie's scripted ones.
The count for how many Now You See Me movies stands at two for now, but the third act is finally being performed. Just like any good trick, the franchise took a long pause to make sure the "prestige"—the final reveal—is worth the wait.