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Election season dampens box office as Hollywood heavyweights underperform
A reflective weekend at the movies
As Americans gear up for the upcoming elections, the focus seems to have shifted away from the silver screen. The recent opening weekend at theaters reflects this sentiment, as even high-profile releases struggle to draw significant crowds. The opening of Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks’ “Here” has been particularly noteworthy, if not for the best reasons.
“Here”, distributed by Sony’s TriStar, grossed a modest $1.94 million from 2,647 locations on its premiere day and previews, setting a trajectory for a weekend total around $5.1 million. This figure falls short of expectations, especially considering its hefty $45 million production budget. Despite the star-studded cast and innovative use of technology, the film missed the mark with audiences and critics alike.
The reunion doesn’t spark nostalgia
One of the key marketing points for “Here” was the reunion of Zemeckis with Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, the trio behind the beloved classic “Forrest Gump”. The screenplay, penned by “Gump” writer Eric Roth, adapts Richard McGuire’s acclaimed graphic novel, aiming to appeal to older audiences. The film’s stationary camera technique, set in a corner of a living room, captures the evolution of a family over years, meticulously implementing de-aging effects. Yet, this creative gamble did not resonate well with critics, with many delivering lukewarm reviews. The audience’s tepid “B-” CinemaScore suggests the film’s emotional impact fell short.
Clint Eastwood’s courtroom drama fares better
In contrast, Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2” has received a much warmer reception. The courtroom thriller stars Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette and premiered at the same film festival as “Here”. Showing in fewer than 20 domestic markets, the film is riding high on positive critical reviews, marking it as Eastwood’s strongest work in over a decade. This positive buzz might just give it the legs it needs to find its audience in the coming weeks.
“Venom: The Last Dance” maintains its lead
Sony’s “Venom: The Last Dance” continues to dominate the box office, adding $6.6 million on Friday alone. However, it’s pacing behind previous “Venom” installments. With a 56% drop from its $51 million opening weekend, the film has amassed $86 million in total domestic earnings over ten days. Overseas markets, though, are showing stronger support, which might help cushion its performance.
Check out the trailer for “Venom: The Last Dance”
“The Wild Robot” and *”Smile 2″** show staying power
Universal’s “The Wild Robot” demonstrates exceptional staying power by remaining in second place. The DreamWorks Animation feature, despite being available on premium video-on-demand, only saw a 2% decline in its sixth weekend, adding $6.7 million to its impressive $120 million North American total.
Paramount’s “Smile 2” holds strong, projecting $6.4 million in its third weekend. This horror sequel’s steady earnings are contributing to its domestic total, expected to hit $50 million by Sunday.
“Conclave” and “Hitpig!” fill out the top slots
Focus Features’ “Conclave” rounds out the top five with a $5 million weekend forecast and a slim 24% decline from its debut. Set within the Vatican and rich in atmospheric tension, this thriller is gaining traction for award season consideration.
Lastly, Viva Kids’ “Hitpig!”, an animated feature with an eclectic voice cast including Jason Sudeikis and RuPaul, debuts in roughly 2,000 locations. While earning a positive B+ CinemaScore, its $1 million opening suggests it will not be breaking into the top ten.
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