OPENINGS: MONKEY MAN (Universal) walked an odd path to theaters, originally being targeted for a Netflix release. While the result earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), there was no storybook ending at the box office, as Dev Patel’s film was below expectations at $10.1M. Nor did Monkey Man stir much excitement overseas, with $2.6M in 27 markets. Universal reportedly paid just $10M for the rights, but also had to shoulder marketing costs.
THE FIRST OMEN (20th/Disney) misfired with $8.4M. Another production “rescued” from a streaming run (on Hulu), its production costs have been reported at $30M+. In 43 international markets, it brought in $9.1M.
This week’s fare for the Christian audience was SOMEONE LIKE YOU (Fathom), which was at the lower end of the genre with $3M. (By comparison, the studio’s The Blind premiered with $5.2M.) It’s US-only.
WICKED LITTLE LETTERS (Sony Classics) expanded to wide release at 1002 theaters with a quiet $1.6M. It’s accumulated $14.4M overseas.
HOLDOVERS: GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE (Legendary/Warners) had a standard hold for a big-budget actioner, down 60% to $31.7M. It’s gunning for the $200.7M US total of 2014’s Godzilla, currently the highest-grossing of the studio’s Monsterverse series. At its current $135M, it’s running about 10% below Godzilla‘s first 1st 10 days. Overseas, New Empire has $226M after a $59.3M weekend in 69 territories. The reigning Monsterverse title overseas is Kong: Skull Island with $400.6M.
GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE (Columbia/Sony) lost 42% to $9M in its 3rd weekend, and is on track for $115M in the US, at least 10% below Ghostbusters: Afterlife on higher costs. The franchise isn’t strong overseas, where Frozen Empire has $49.3M after a $7.1M weekend in 30 territories.
KUNG FU PANDA 4 (DreamWorks Animation/Universal) continues to have the family audience to itself, and slipped 24% to $7.9M in its 5th weekend, on its way to $190M in the US, which would make it the highest earner in the series since the 2008 original. The international total is $244.4M after a $27.4M weekend in 76 markets, and it’s unlikely to get near Panda 2‘s $500.4M.
DUNE: PART TWO (Legendary/Warners) dipped 37% to $7.2M in its 6th weekend, on track for $285M in the US. The overseas total is $395.8M after an $11.2M weekend in 73 territories.
ARTHUR THE KING (Lionsgate) dropped 38% to $1.5M in its 4th weekend, and probably won’t reach $30M in the US. It has $1.6M internationally.
IMMACULATE (Neon) fell 57% to $1.4M in its 3rd weekend, and would need a stretch to hit $20M in the US. It has $4.3M overseas.
LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (IFC) shed 49% to $1.1M in its 3rd weekend, and should top $10M in the US. International release thus far has yielded $600K.
LIMITED RELEASE: There were similar results for 2 arrivals: THE BEAST (Janus) had a $12K weekend per-theater average at 4, and HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS (Focus/Universal) averaged $11K at 4. LA CHIMERA (Neon) expanded to 18 with a $4500 average. FEMME (Utopia) averaged $600 at 104.
NEXT WEEKEND: The marquee opening is CIVIL WAR (A24), and other newcomers include STING (WellGo USA), ARCADIAN (RLJE), and DON’T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER’S DEAD (Iconic).
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