Beetlejuice reigns supreme: A weekend at the box office
The ghost with the most
In a spectacular display of box office dominance, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” continues to captivate audiences, raking in an impressive $51.6 million in its second weekend. This brings its total domestic earnings to a staggering $188 million. Tim Burton’s spooky sequel has proven to be a formidable force, overshadowing three new releases that attempted to make their mark.
Newcomers struggle to compete
Speak No Evil: A dark comedy with potential
Among the new releases, “Speak No Evil” emerged as the strongest contender, securing the second spot with $11.5 million from 3,375 venues. This Universal and Blumhouse remake of the 2022 Danish horror film features James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis in a pitch-black comedy of manners. The film has received positive reviews and audience scores, which could bolster its performance through word of mouth. Internationally, it opened with $9.3 million from 73 markets, bringing its global opening to $20.8 million. Given its $15 million budget, “Speak No Evil” is well-positioned for a successful theatrical run. Watch the trailer.
Am I Racist?: A satirical take on social issues
Comedian Matt Walsh’s satire documentary “Am I Racist?” landed in fourth place, earning a decent $4.75 million from 1,517 theaters. The film’s unique approach to addressing social issues has garnered attention, making it a noteworthy addition to this weekend’s releases.
The Killer’s Game: A missed opportunity
Unfortunately, “The Killer’s Game”, starring Dave Bautista, failed to connect with audiences, debuting at No. 6 with a modest $2.6 million from 2,623 locations. Despite its intriguing premise, the film struggled to make a significant impact at the box office.
The state of horror: A mixed bag
Recent hits and misses
The horror genre has had a mixed year, with some films like “Beetlejuice”, Disney’s “Alien: Romulus” ($330 million), and Neon’s sleeper hit “Longlegs” ($103 million) performing well. However, Blumhouse-produced offerings such as Universal’s “Night Swim” ($54 million), Lionsgate’s “Imaginary” ($39 million), and Sony’s “Afraid” ($10 million) have failed to resonate with audiences.
Blumhouse’s track record
Blumhouse is known for its responsible budgets, which often allow its films to turn a profit despite modest box office returns. The company had a particularly strong run in 2022 and 2023 with hits like “Five Nights at Freddy’s” ($292 million), “Insidious 5” ($189 million), “Exorcist: Believer” ($136 million), and “M3GAN” ($180 million). Analysts believe Blumhouse will bounce back with upcoming sequels such as “M3GAN 2.0”, “Black Phone 2”, and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2”.
Superheroes and biopics: A steady presence
Deadpool & Wolverine: A superhero juggernaut
Disney and Marvel’s superhero sequel “Deadpool & Wolverine” slid to the No. 3 spot with $5.2 million from 3,075 theaters in its eighth weekend. The R-rated film, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has remained in the top three for eight consecutive weeks, amassing $621.5 million domestically and $1.3 billion globally. Watch the trailer.
Reagan: A presidential biopic
Dennis Quaid’s biopic “Reagan” rounded out the top five with $2.9 million from 2,450 theaters in its third weekend. The film, which chronicles the life of former president Ronald Reagan, has generated $23 million to date. Watch the trailer.
Limited releases: Hidden gems
My Old Ass: A coming-of-age comedy
In limited release, “My Old Ass”, directed by Megan Park and starring Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza, grossed $171,242 from seven locations across New York, Los Angeles, and Austin. This translates to a solid $24,535 per venue. The Amazon MGM film will expand to 32 theaters in 10 markets next weekend, followed by a wide release on September 26. Watch the trailer.
Final thoughts
The box office landscape is ever-evolving, with established franchises and new releases vying for audience attention. While some films soar to great heights, others struggle to find their footing. As cinema enthusiasts, we eagerly anticipate the next wave of releases and the stories they bring to life on the big screen.