Sicario 3 (2025) represents a bold continuation of the critically acclaimed franchise, with Lionsgate Studios investing a production budget of $45 million, marking a significant increase from its predecessors. The film is scheduled for a strategic worldwide release on September 19, 2025, positioning it during a prime fall release window to maximize its box office potential.

The Sicario franchise has established itself as a powerhouse in the realm of gritty action thrillers. The original “Sicario” (2015), made for $30 million, garnered $84.9 million worldwide and earned three Academy Award nominations, while “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” (2018) was produced for $35 million and generated $75.8 million globally, despite releasing during challenging market conditions.

For this third installment, Lionsgate has allocated an unprecedented marketing budget of $40 million, recognizing the franchise’s growing international appeal and the return of Benicio del Toro in his iconic role. The studio’s confidence is bolstered by strong pre-release tracking and heightened audience anticipation, with early social media metrics suggesting significant viewer interest in the continuation of the cartel-focused narrative.

The franchise’s success extends beyond theatrical revenues, with both previous films performing exceptionally well in home media releases and digital platforms. The combined digital and streaming rights for the first two films have generated over $100 million in additional revenue. The studio expects Sicario 3 to surpass its predecessors, projecting global box office earnings between $110-130 million, with substantial additional revenue from post-theatrical releases.

Industry analysts predict the film could potentially become the highest-grossing entry in the series, citing several favorable factors: the return of key cast members, increased production values, and a marketing strategy that emphasizes the franchise’s reputation for intense, realistic action and complex storytelling. The film’s distribution strategy includes an exclusive 45-day theatrical window before transitioning to premium video-on-demand platforms, following current industry standards for maximizing revenue streams.

The project has also attracted significant international pre-sales, particularly in territories where the previous films performed strongly, including the UK, France, and Japan, indicating strong global market confidence in the franchise’s continued success.