A24 had their first number one opener with Alex Garland's Civil War, which opened to about 26 m. This is a pretty impressive number, especially considering reactions to the marketing campaign didn't seem particularly positive. That being said, I expect WOM to be very mixed, and a total of 60-65 m seems likely. In second was Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, which grossed about 15.5 m, dropping 50 percent for a total so far of 158 m. While it has been a bit front-loaded, it has still done very well, and will likely end up grossing 185-190 m. In third is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, which dropped 36 percent to gross about 6 m. While it hasn't completely tanked, it is likely a disappointment for Sony, and will likely end up with about 110 m. In fourth is Kung Fu Panda 4, which grossed 5.5 m, dropping just 29 percent. While it is looking like a coin toss as to whether it reaches 200 m, it has done very well, and should continue to hold well with no family competition over the next few weeks. In fifth is Dune: Part Two, which dropped 42 percent to gross around 4 m. It has had a great run, and will likely close with 285-290 m. Both of last week's wide releases fell out of the Top 5, and none of the other semi-wide/wide releases made too much of an impact.
The top PTA of the weekend goes to Sasquatch Sunset, which grossed about 10 k in 9 theaters. While not a bad opening for something so potentially off-putting in a vacuum, Ari Aster's involvement/the starry cast probably raised expectations beyond what it could deliver, and it is unlikely to do much in wide release. Civil War took second (it seems that even if an A24 film is number one at the box office, it will still play a part in the PTA part of the game
), grossing about 7 k in about 3,800 theaters. Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire took third, grossing just over 4 k in a similar amount of theaters to Civil War. In the game, fourth went to the very acclaimed The Beast, which grossed about 2 k from 23 theaters. Fifth went to Dune: Part Two, which grossed close to 2 k in about 2,400 theaters.This Week
Abigail
Vampire movies have had a rough run over the past few years. While Morbius is probably the most notorious example, The Invitation, Renfield, and The Last Voyage Of The Demeter all had poor reviews, poor box office, or both. There is some reason to believe that Abigail will change this, however. Radio Silence and Melissa Barrera have gained a lot of public goodwill after their firing from Scream 7, and the rest of the cast are relatively notable as well, including the late Angus Cloud. Reviews have been very positive, as well. One thing I do think it will have issue overcoming is that horror-comedies can be a tough sell, especially the ones that lean more towards horror. That being said, I do think legs will be solid once WOM gets out.
I expect an OW of 13 m, and a total of 37 m.
It will get you 10-15 Top 5 points, 1 PTA point, and a score of 7 on IMDb.
While these numbers aren't bad, I think that The Strangers: Chapter One is a better choice for around the same price.
The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare
This is unlikely to do well in terms of budget, though it will probably do numbers in the typical Guy Richie range. I do believe that this would have had more promise if it was marketed more heavily, and given a better spot than two weeks before The Fall Guy. As is, however, I think it will struggle to get past 25 m in total.
I expect an OW of 10 m, and a total of 25 m.
It will get you 5-7 Top 5 points, 0 PTA points, and a score of 7 on IMDb.
I wouldn't recommend taking it in either Box Office or Ultimate.
Spy X Family Code: White
I am not sure of the popularity of the anime this is based on, but it has received really strong reviews, and it is getting IMAX screens, so I assume there will be a solid turnout for it.
I expect an OW of 7 m, and a total of 16 m.
It will get you 2 Top 5 points, 2 PTA points, and a score of 8 on IMDb.
I wouldn't recommend taking it in Box Office or Ultimate.
Stress Positions
I don't think that this will be one of Neon's more successful releases. Buzz around it feels low overall, and I expect there is still some audience apprehension over seeing a film about COVID, especially in a comedic light. That being said, reviews are strong enough that it should have a solid PTA.
I expect an OW PTA of 20 k, and a total under 1 m.
It will get you 5-8 PTA points, 0 Top 5 points, and a score of 7 on IMDb.
Don't take it in Box Office or Ultimate.
Egoist
I haven't heard much about this film. That being said, reviews have been very strong.
I expect an OW PTA of 15 k, and a total under 1 m.
It will get you 4-6 PTA points, 0 Top 5 points, and a score of 7 on IMDb.
Don't take it in Box Office or Ultimate.
We Grown Now
This is one of the last films produced by the defunct Participant Media. Unfortunately, they seem like they will go out with a whimper, box office wise. Reviews have been strong so far, but there is very little in the way of buzz surrounding it.
I expect an OW PTA of 10 k, and a total of 1 m.
It will get you 3 PTA points, 0 Top 5 points, and a score of 7 on IMDb.
Don't take it in Box Office or Ultimate.
Top 5
Abigail - 13 m
Civil War - 10 m
The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare - 10 m
Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire - 10 m
Spy X Family Code: White - 7 m
PTA
Stress Positions - 20 k
Egoist - 15 k
We Grown Now - 10 k
Spy X Family Code: White - 4 k
Abigail - 4 k
Next Week
Join six next week for a look over some promising new releases, including the long-awaited Challengers.
