OPENINGS: Amazingly, the 58% first weekend plunge from $96.2M for 2019’s Joker to $40M for JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX (DC/Warners) understates how much audiences hated the new film. For that, you have to look to the respective Friday-to-Saturday drops, after word of mouth had a chance to set in: 44% compared to 18%, which translates into an incredible 144% increase in the rate of fleeing ticketbuyers. The first Joker earned 69% of its worldwide total overseas, and Joker 2 had a similar 67%/33% split, so international was less pathetic at $81.1M in 76 territories. Still, when the higher costs for the sequel are factored in (around $300M including global marketing), this is the follow-up to a $1.08B blockbuster that may not even break even. Filmmaker Todd Phillips ended Folie a Deux in a way that seemed to forestall the possibility of a Joker 3, so at least that worked out.
Back in the world of ordinary failures, WHITE BIRD (Lionsgate), a spin-off of the successful Wonder, brought in $1.5M at 1018 theaters, a $1500 weekend per-theater average.
Despite strong reviews for star Saoirse Ronan, THE OUTRUN (Sony Classics) debuted at the low end of wide release with only $300K at 502 theaters, a sad $700 average.
HOLDOVERS: THE WILD ROBOT (DreamWorks Animation/Universal) lost 48% to $16.7M, and should extend well beyond $100M in the US. It’s still in gradual release overseas, and has $36.5M after a $13M weekend in 36 markets.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (Warners) dipped 36% to $10.3M in its 5th weekend, with a chance of reaching $300M in the US. It has less appeal internationally, with $137.1M after an $8.2M weekend in 77 territories.
TRANSFORMERS ONE (Hasbro/Paramount) dropped 42% to $5.4M in its 3rd weekend, and won’t get much past $65M in the US. The overseas total is $49.8M after a $7.9M weekend in 61 markets.
SPEAK NO EVIL (Blumhouse/Universal, also on VOD) dipped 34% to $2.8M in its 4th weekend, and may get to $40M in the US. It’s on a similar trajectory internationally, with $34.8M after a $3.1M weekend in 77 territories.
DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE (Marvel/Disney) is approaching the end of its hugely successful road, down 45% to $1.5M in its 11th weekend, and possibly able to reach $640M in the US. It also has $694.7M overseas.
Despite losing 60% of its theaters, THE SUBSTANCE (MUBI) proved to be remarkably resilient, down just 35% to $1.3M in its 3rd weekend, and if it can hold onto the theaters it has left, it could hit $15M in the US. The international to date is $6.7M.
MEGALOPOLIS (American Zoetrope/Lionsgate) crashed by an awful 74% to $1.1M, and may face a challenge in even reaching $10M in the US. It has $2M overseas.
LIMITED RELEASE: SATURDAY NIGHT (Columbia/Sony) expanded to 21 theaters before going wide next weekend, and averaged an unpromising $13K. SAM & COLBY: THE LEGENDS OF THE PARANORMAL (XPLR) averaged a robust $5800 at 302 for a $1.8M total. A DIFFERENT MAN (A24) widened to 265 with a low $700 average. I, THE EXECUTIONER (Blue Fox) averaged $2300 at 24. LEAP OF FAITH (Picturehouse) averaged $4500 at 7.
NEXT WEEKEND: The Halloween horror rush begins with TERRIFIER 3 (Cineverse), which will face off with the offbeat music documentary PIECE BY PIECE (Focus/Universal), the Trump bio THE APPRENTICE (Briarcliff), and the wide release of Saturday Night. Limited releases include WE LIVE IN TIME (A24).
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