OPENINGS: A $34.1M US launch for a movie that reportedly carries about $350M in production and marketing costs likely means a nine-figure loss in theatrical release, which traditionally is considered less than desirable. But the ways of Box Office Magical Thinking are infinite (and the number of pundits willing to parrot such spin similarly innumerable), and so we hear that RED ONE (MGM/Amazon), despite that result, is absolutely fine, because Amazon is a very rich company and theatrical release is just a loss leader for streaming (and in Amazon’s case, merchandise-related) riches. If this particular spin sounds familiar, it’s because we last heard it from Apple, when their own wildly expensive projects went bust at the box office–and Apple promptly demonstrated what they really thought by scaling back their feature film ambitions. We’ll see what happens to Amazon’s plans. Meanwhile, Red One was also blah overseas, with $50M after a $14.7M weekend.
A REAL PAIN (Searchlight/Disney) jumped to wide release at $2.3M at 1185 theaters, a soft weekend $1900 per-theater average. It will hope to get some traction when awards season begins after Thanksgiving.
Thinking of the upcoming holiday, GLADIATOR II (Paramount) started its international run a week before it arrives in the US, with a solid $87M in 63 territories.
HOLDOVERS: With Red One taking over most premium-priced venues, VENOM: THE LAST DANCE (Marvel/Columbia/Disney) took a 54% hit to $7.4M. It’s headed for $150M in the US, which would be about 2/3 of what each of its predecessors earned. It’s far bigger overseas, with $308.5M ($90.3M of that from China) after a $17.3M weekend in 66 markets.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (Lionsgate) dropped 50% to $5.4M, and might reach $35M in the US. It hasn’t opened overseas.
HERETIC (A24) lost 52% to $5.2M, also on its way to $35M in the US. It has $5M internationally.
THE WILD ROBOT (DreamWorks Animation/Universal, also on VOD) dipped 35% to $4.3M in its 8th weekend, on track for $150M in the US. The overseas total is $170.7M after a $6M weekend.
SMILE 2 (Paramount) was down 42% to $3M in its 5th weekend, and if it reaches $75M in the US, it will be down about 30% from the first Smile. It has $66.2M internationally.
CONCLAVE (Focus/Universal) continued to hold very well, down 31% to $2.9M in its 4th weekend (and notably exempt from Universal’s usual non-blockbuster rule of 19 days to VOD), and likely to reach $35M in the US, a big result for an adult-oriented drama. It has $1.2M in early overseas release.
ANORA (Neon) expanded its footprint again, up 36% to 1500 theaters, and that cushioned its 5th weekend for a 27% drop to $1.8M. Awards season will likely determine how much past $15M it can go. International is $9.2M to date.
WE LIVE IN TIME (A24) fell 47% to $1.1M, and should pass $25M in the US. It’s at $4.8M overseas.
LIMITED RELEASE: The Filipino production HELLO, LOVE, AGAIN (Abramorama) scored an impressive $2.3M in just 248 theaters, a $9400 weekend per-theater average that was better than Anora‘s average when it was at 253. GHOST CAT ANZU (GKids) averaged $500 at 328. ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT (Janus/Sideshow) averaged $17K at 3.
NEXT WEEKEND: The 2 weeks Hollywood has had circled on its calendar begin with the dual openings of Gladiator II and WICKED (Universal), which will be followed at Thanksgiving by MOANA 2 (Disney). The hope is that the trio will blow the doors off a sluggish fall box office. This week’s presumptive blockbusters will be joined by BONHOEFFER: PASTOR. SPY. ASSASSIN (Angel).
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