Every Now You See Me Movie, Ranked Worst To Best

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The Now You See Me movies from Lionsgate have become a trilogy, and fans are debating which one is the best. The series, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine, began in 2013 with a film directed by Louis Leterrier. Its success – earning over $350 million worldwide – launched the popular franchise.

The movie Now You See Me 2, directed by Jon M. Chu, was released in 2016. It brought back most of the original actors from the first film, with Lizzy Caplan and Daniel Radcliffe joining the cast. While the sequel was still successful, it earned $334 million worldwide, which was a little less than the first movie.

Nine years after the first film, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t was released, again directed by Ruben Fleischer. The original Horsemen actors reprised their roles, joined by newcomers Justice Smith, Ariana Greenblatt, and Dominic Sessa as a new group of magicians. Rosamund Pike played the antagonist.

So, which of the Now You See Me movies is the best? And which is the worst? Let’s rank them all.

3. Now You See Me 2

Compared to the other films in the series, Now You See Me 2 is definitely the weakest. While Jon M. Chu’s direction is stylish and the movie takes the action around the world, and includes impressive illusions (like Danny stopping the rain), the overall story doesn’t quite work.

A major problem with the movie is its heavy emphasis on Dylan’s past. Without the exciting chase from the first film, Dylan gets caught up in a separate storyline about discovering the truth about his father. These revelations ultimately feel rushed and don’t add much to the story, making that part feel like it just slows things down.

I really think the actors are trying their best to make this a fun watch. I especially loved what Caplan brought to the role of Lula – she definitely injected some energy, though maybe it was a little too over-the-top at times. Honestly, seeing Harrelson play a second character as Merritt’s brother didn’t really add anything and pulled me out of the story. And, sadly, I just didn’t find Radcliffe’s villain very threatening or interesting.

While Now You See Me 2 has received a lot of criticism (it only has a 34% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), I personally still enjoy it thanks to the good chemistry between the actors and the creative magic tricks. However, it’s definitely the weakest film in the Now You See Me series.

2. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t

As a big fan of the Now You See Me movies, I was hoping the second one, Now You Don’t, would live up to the original. And in some ways, it does! There’s a really clever scene with the team pulling off a bunch of magic tricks while hiding in a huge mansion – it genuinely felt magical. However, the big finale felt a little predictable, especially knowing how the previous films have played things out.

Both the returning and new actors generally do a good job, although some of the original stars aren’t as prominent, with the focus shifting to the new additions. It’s wonderful to see Fisher back, but Franco and Harrelson don’t have as much to do this time around. This is partly because the movie has a different feel than previous installments, and they don’t get the same chances to stand out.

Since Louis Letterier is directing the third installment, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t focuses more on action. While the movie still has some comedy, it’s not as central, and the jokes aren’t quite as strong. The film definitely misses the playful banter between the characters that made the earlier movies fun.

The actors are delightful and the visuals are impressive, making this a good installment in the series. It’s currently rated 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, which suggests it’s a noticeable improvement over previous entries. This film is definitely a positive sign and indicates the franchise is heading back towards its former glory.

1. Now You See Me

As a huge fan of this series, I still think the first Now You See Me is the strongest. It really hooked me with its introduction to the world of these illusionists and their incredible team. What I loved most was the mystery – I was genuinely fascinated by how the Horsemen were pulling off those amazing heists. And the tension! Watching Dylan and the FBI try to catch them just made everything feel so much more urgent and exciting.

The movie really shines thanks to its talented cast. Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson play off each other brilliantly, while Mélanie Laurent proves why she’s a standout performer. James Franco provides plenty of humor, and Mark Ruffalo keeps the story grounded. Veteran actors Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman add a touch of class to the whole film.

The film’s vibrant and modern setting makes the elaborate heists even more unexpected. Director Louis Leterrier consistently delivers exciting action sequences, from clever magic tricks to thrilling car chases and intense hand-to-hand combat. The movie has a unique energy and pace that the previous installments haven’t quite captured.

The film received mixed reviews, earning a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics often citing weak characters and a disjointed plot. However, I personally enjoy the characters and find the story’s twists and turns to be well-earned. For now, it’s still the best movie in the Now You See Me series, and it will stay that way until a significantly better installment is released.

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2025-11-14 23:01