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Now You See Me

Now You See Me is a 2013 American heist thriller film directed by Louis Leterrier.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Now You See Me is a 2013 American heist thriller film directed by Louis Leterrier. It follows a team of illusionists called the Four Horsemen as they carry out elaborate stage performances and robberies while being pursued by law enforcement. The film became a box-office success and launched a franchise.

Premise

The film follows four stage magicians known as the Four Horsemen, whose performances are tied to high-profile robberies. Their actions draw the attention of the FBI and Interpol, creating a cat-and-mouse investigation.

Production and release

Now You See Me was directed by Louis Leterrier and released in 2013 by Lionsgate Films. It was produced by Summit Entertainment and K/O Paper Products, with a theatrical release in North America on May 31, 2013.

Cast and characters

The ensemble cast features Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Mélanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine. The film uses their characters to blend magic-show spectacle with crime-thriller plotting.

Reception and franchise

The film performed strongly at the box office and received mixed critical reviews. Its commercial success led to follow-up films in the series.

Key facts

  • The film centres on the Four Horsemen, a group of illusionists who steal money during their performances and redistribute it to audience members.
  • An FBI agent and an Interpol detective investigate the Horsemen’s increasingly elaborate acts.
  • The main cast includes Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Morgan Freeman.
  • The screenplay was written by Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin, and Edward Ricourt.
  • The film’s commercial success led to sequels in the Now You See Me franchise.
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Canadian context

The film was released theatrically in Canada in 2013 as part of its North American rollout, and it has been widely available to Canadian audiences through cinema, home media, and streaming release windows.[6][7]

Frequently asked questions

What is Now You See Me about?
It is about illusionists who stage elaborate performances that conceal robberies, while law enforcement investigates how the crimes are carried out.
Who directed Now You See Me?
Louis Leterrier directed the film.
When was Now You See Me released?
It was released in North America on May 31, 2013.
Who are the Four Horsemen?
They are the group of illusionists at the centre of the film, played by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco.
Was Now You See Me a success?
Yes. Available sources describe it as a box-office success that led to sequels.
Is Now You See Me part of a franchise?
Yes. The film was followed by sequels, including Now You See Me 2 and a later sequel entry in the series.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1670345/
    Supports: Plot premise, release year, cast, and basic film identification.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_You_See_Me_(film)
    Supports: Plot overview and general film identification.
  3. TheaterEars — https://www.theaterears.com/entertainment-news/2025/11/8/now-you-see-me-10-fun-facts-to-know-before-you-watch-the-third-movie
    Supports: Statement that the film earned more than $350 million worldwide and became a franchise success.
  4. Facts.net — https://facts.net/movie/37-facts-about-the-movie-now-you-see-me/
    Supports: Director, screenplay credits, box-office success, and sequel information.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4712810/
    Supports: Franchise continuity and later sequel entry.
  6. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_You_See_Me_(movie)
    Supports: Release date, production context, and sequel indication.
  7. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/now_you_see_me
    Supports: Synopsis, director, producers, distributors, cast, genre, and release date.
  8. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/now-you-see-me
    Supports: Cast, premise, theatrical release, runtime, and MPAA rating.