The summer’s end brings a chill to the box office
As summer winds down, the box office landscape is shifting, yet Disney’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” continues to dominate. Even in its sixth weekend, this Marvel Studios production is holding strong at the top of the domestic charts, despite a slew of new releases. Among these are Dennis Quaid’s presidential biopic “Reagan” and the Blumhouse horror feature “Afraid”.
Deadpool & Wolverine: A superhero reign
“Deadpool & Wolverine” earned another $3.6 million on Friday, marking a 26% drop from its previous week’s daily total. Apart from a brief dethroning by “Alien: Romulus”, this superhero team-up has been a box office titan for over a month. Its domestic earnings are on the brink of hitting $600 million, a milestone achieved by only 15 other films. For those who haven’t seen it yet, check out the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer.
Afraid: A quiet horror entry
“Afraid”, released by Sony, opened in 3,003 locations and earned $1.3 million on its first day, including previews. This sci-fi thriller, directed by Chris Weitz, follows a couple whose AI-assisted home turns against them. Despite its modest opening, Blumhouse’s lean production model ensures that the $12 million budget won’t be a financial disaster. However, with poor reviews and a lukewarm C+ CinemaScore, “Afraid” faces an uphill battle. For a glimpse into this chilling tale, watch the Afraid trailer.
Other new releases: A mixed bag
1992: A story of resilience
Lionsgate’s “1992”, starring Tyrese Gibson, depicts a shop owner’s struggle during the L.A. riots. It garnered an estimated $460,000 from 875 locations on its opening day. With an A- CinemaScore and positive reviews, “1992” seems to resonate well with audiences. Dive into this powerful narrative by watching the 1992 trailer.
City of Dreams: A poignant drama
“City of Dreams”, a human trafficking drama with executive producers like Martin Sheen, grossed around $290,000 from 774 locations. This number is bolstered by significant ticket giveaways aimed at raising awareness. Explore this impactful film by viewing the City of Dreams trailer.
Slingshot: A space thriller
Bleecker Street’s “Slingshot”, featuring Laurence Fishburne and Casey Affleck, had a quieter opening with an estimated $250,000 from 845 locations. Directed by Mikael Håfström, this space thriller has received mediocre reviews. For a taste of the cosmic suspense, check out the Slingshot trailer.
Reagan: A biopic with mixed reception
“Reagan”, the first theatrical release from Showbiz Direct, stars Dennis Quaid as the actor-turned-president. The biopic earned $2.6 million from 2,754 locations on Friday and during previews. Directed by Sean McNamara, this $25 million production has received negative reviews but has been warmly received by its target audience, earning an A CinemaScore. Watch the Reagan trailer to see Quaid’s portrayal of the iconic president.
Holdovers: Steady performers
Alien: Romulus
“Alien: Romulus” is set to secure the second spot, earning $2.2 million on Friday. After two weeks, this sci-fi sequel has surpassed $80 million domestically and $150 million internationally, with a notable performance in China. For more on this thrilling sequel, view the Alien: Romulus trailer.
It Ends With Us
Sony’s “It Ends With Us” is projected to take third place, with an estimated $9.5 million for the four-day weekend. This Blake Lively drama has already surpassed $125 million in North America and aims to climb higher. Check out the It Ends With Us trailer to see why it’s captivating audiences.
Final thoughts
The box office is a dynamic arena, with new releases constantly vying for attention. While some films like “Deadpool & Wolverine” continue to dominate, others like “Afraid” and “Reagan” face mixed receptions. As we move into the fall, it will be interesting to see how these films perform and what new releases will capture the audience’s imagination. For now, the summer’s end brings a mix of chills and thrills to the big screen.