Behind the US/Worldwide Weekend Box Office – 10.20.2024

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OPENINGS:  SMILE 2 (Paramount) opened on par with its predecessor, at $23M compared to $22.6M.  A small dip had been projected, so that was slightly above expectations.  The sequel, unlike the first Smile, will face major competition in its 2nd weekend, so it remains to be seen whether it can have that film’s stellar hold (down just 16% in Weekend 2) that propelled it into a 4.7x multiple of the opening at $105.9M.  Overseas, Smile 2 was also at $23M in 62 territories, and that was again consistent with the original film, which had a 49%/51% split between US and international.

WE LIVE IN TIME (A24) had a fair expansion to mid-wide release at 985 theaters with $4.2M.  Reportedly the plan is to expand further next week.  It’s barely begun its worldwide distribution.

GOODRICH (Ketchup) was low at $650K in 1055 theaters, a $600 weekend per-theater average.  There were no international openings.

RUMOURS (Bleecker Street) was only the 2nd biggest flop of the new indie arrivals, with $300K at 630 theaters, a $500 average.  It’s exclusively US for now.

Saving Rumours from ignominy was EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS (Roadside), with $275K at 774 theaters, a $350 average.  It also hasn’t opened overseas.

HOLDOVERS:  THE WILD ROBOT (DreamWorks Animation/Universal, also on VOD) continued to thrive, down 28% to $10M in its 4th weekend and on its way to $130M in the US.  It’s now opened in 76 international markets (all the majors except Japan) and has $94.3M after a $23.2M weekend.

A 51% drop for a hard-horror item like TERRIFIER 3 (Cineverse) is very solid, although it dims in comparison to Terrifier 2, which was ignited by word of mouth to a 28% increase (itself topped by an amazing 70% boost in Weekend 3).  Terrifier 2 has already more than tripled the total box office for its predecessor, and could make its way to $60M in the US.  It also has $5.4M overseas.

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (Warners, also on VOD) dipped 32% to $5M in its 7th weekend, still stretching toward $300M in the US.  The international total is $150.6M after a $3.7M weekend in 74 territories.

The plunge wasn’t over for JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX (DC/Warners), which fell 69% to $2.2M in its 3rd weekend, and may not reach $65M in the US, which would itself be an incredible 80% drop from the first Joker.  Things were better overseas, where it has $135.5M after a $14.7M weekend in 78 markets, which included a $5.9M opening in China.

PIECE BY PIECE (Focus/Universal) dropped 46% to $2.1M, and is unlikely to hit $15M in the US.  It hasn’t ventured to other markets.

TRANSFORMERS ONE (Hasbro/Paramount) lost 48% to $2M in its 6th weekend, and would have to stretch to reach $65M in the US.  Internationally, it has a similar $62.4M after a $2.6M weekend in 70 territories.

SATURDAY NIGHT (Columbia/Sony) continued to lack spark, down 47% to $1.8M and potentially not getting much past $12M in the US.  It remains US-only for now.

The re-release of THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Disney) shed 53% to $1.1M.

LIMITED RELEASE:  Oscar hopeful ANORA (Neon) had the highest weekend per-theater average of the year at $90K in 6 NY/LA showcases, but that included a worrisome 52% drop from Friday to Saturday.

NEXT WEEKEND:  The flagship arrival is VENOM: THE LAST DANCE (Marvel/Columbia/Sony), which will hope to strike close to Let There Be Carnage‘s $90M launch.  Counterprogramming will come from CONCLAVE (Focus/Universal).  Limited releases include MEMOIRS OF A SNAIL (IFC).