The success of this 2024 sequel to an iconic film is proof that, even years later, Nicholas Cage’sNational Treasure 3needs to happen and could be quite lucrative.

Fewupdates onNational Treasure 3have been announced ever sincescreenwriter Ted Elliot mentioned that the first draft of the script was done earlier in 2024and that the main characters would return.

That lack of progression on what would be a fun project for Disney continues to be confusing, especially considering the threequel’s strong story potential.

Ben Gates, Abigail, and Ian in a tomb in National Treasure

National Treasure 3’sstorycould easily build on the first two films' action-filled narratives, allowing Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicholas Cage) the chance to uncover more secrets within history and revive the adventure genre for a new generation.

There may bean argument that the seventeen-year gap between theNational Treasurefilms may cause it to fail at the box officedespite audiences' desire to see a revival of the franchise.

However, one 2024 sequel film’s success decades after the initial one makes a strong case against this argument, demonstrating howNational Treasure 3would likely be more successful than anticipated.

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuices Success Has Made A Strong Case For Belated Sequels Like National Treasure 3

Both Franchise’s Past Box Offices Strengthen Their Likelihood Of Success

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s box office showcases how belated sequels can still be a worthy investment, adding more to the argument for aNational Treasure 3.The success of Tim Burton’sBeetlejuice Beetlejuicecomes almost forty years after the original’s release,garnering $450 million overall and hitting several milestones shortly into its theatrical run.

While this may seem odd due to the year gap between films,Beetlejuice’s $75.1 million box office does showcase the franchise’s strength,as that take allowed it to become the tenth highest-grossing film of 1988.

Disney’s delay on National Treasure 3 is even more surprising and confusing after the 2007 sequel’s surprising box office gross.

Anna Torv as Olivia, Joshua Jackson as Peter, and John Noble as Walter in Fringe

Much likeBeetlejuice,theNational Treasuremovies have a strong history at the box office, with an overall gross of $347.5 million and $449.2 million for each film respectively.Factoring that alongside the shorter gap makes the case for another addition easily asNational Treasure 3would likely find as much or even more financial gain as the franchise is more recent.

The continued popularity ofNational Treasurein the zeitgeist also shows how, despite the gap, there would be plenty of interest in another installment of this action-packed film series.

There Would Be Plenty Of Interest In National Treasure 3 Even 20 Years After The Previous Movie

National Treasure’s Iconic Lines Continue To Be Quoted By Audiences

Even almost twenty years after the sequel, there’s an enduring love of the franchise, with many quotable moments proving that there would be plenty of excitement and desire forNational Treasure 3.Cage’s line about the Declaration Of Independencehas been largely remembered fondly within the zeitgeist, as the seriousness of the moment was undercut by the improbable situation the characters were in.

Nicolas Cage carrying the Declaration of Independence in National Treasure

That juxtaposition is why the film is remembered so well by audiences years later and would be a major selling point for new viewers.

National Treasure 3would ultimately have the original’s unique tone as well as nostalgia to give the franchise and Disney as a whole another huge win.

TheNational Treasurefranchise is remembered for its quick plots, fun characters, and ability to mix history with fiction,making it an entertaining ride throughout.

Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Gates pointing a flashlight at something in his hand in National Treasure

Therefore, if a third film were to be made and contained all of these beats, then it would likely find success with audiences who have already seen the films and audiences who may just be discovering them and want a new twist from the ever-serious adventure genre.National Treasure 3would ultimately have the original’s unique tone as well as nostalgia to give the franchise and Disney as a whole another huge win.

The National Treasure franchise follows the adventures of Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and amateur cryptologist, as he uncovers hidden treasures linked to American history.

The series combines historical myths and legends with action-adventure elements, leading Gates on thrilling treasure hunts across various significant landmarks.

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