FREAKY TALES (no distrib): The writer/directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have returned from their profitable but unbeloved sojourn in the land of Captain Marvel to their indie roots with Freaky Tales. While heartfelt and entertaining, the effort is also intensely derivative. Fleck was a child of 1987 Oakland, where Freaky Tales takes place, and it’s a […]
OPENINGS: The musical remake of MEAN GIRLS (Paramount) was within expectations at $28M for the 3-day weekend ($32M is anticipated with the inclusion of Monday’s MLK Day holiday). The film, which was originally developed for streaming, had a moderate budget, so it should be on its way to a fair amount of profit. The […]
OPENINGS: The traditional horror movie start of the new year was provided by NIGHT SWIM (Blumhouse-Atomic Planet/Universal), although at $12M it was the lowest such arrival since The Grudge started with $11.4M in 2020. The final number for that one was $21.2M, and Night Swim probably won’t be much higher. The international launch was […]
OPENINGS: Christmas Day is one of the highest-grossing days of the year, and it will give a major bump to everything in the market. Even with that boost, AQUAMAN & THE LOST KINGDOM (DC/Warners) was only able to muster a $40M 4-day weekend studio estimate after $28.1M in 3 days (and given the 34% […]
OPENINGS: WONKA (Warners) kicked off the holiday movie season with $39M, at the upper end of expectations. As a family entertainment, it can look forward to a high multiple into January, and could reach $200M+ in the US, against around $250M in production/marketing costs. The IP musical is even stronger overseas, where it expanded […]