The strong October continues to scare up profits.
Last week’s champs cruised to easy holdover wins, and a batch of new arrivals did middling business. The overall haul was enough to set this as one of the top-5 October weekends ever. Halloween releases and Oscar lures will be the norm for the balance, and big numbers are sure to continue rolling in.
Sony benefitted from the #1 film and one of the top debuts, to see the studio earning $1 billion for 2018 (the fourth studio to reach that so far this year). It is the second year in a row for Sony to hit that landmark, after a few years falling short.
(Of note: Off the chart the debut of “Gosnell: The Trial Of America’s Biggest Serial Killer” opened on 673 screens, finishing at #12; the screen average would have it placed in the top-10.)
1. VENOM – $35.7 Million
Despite widespread scorn from the entertainment media – including this writer spreading the hatred — fans are still turning out. Strong weekday turnouts led to a decent second weekend. It drops -55% which is about as expected for standard comic films. Two weeks ago it appeared Sony would have a tough decision on extending what was looking to be a weak franchise attempt. It has drawn an impressive $140 million already, and kick in another $235 million overseas — the studio will be making more of these down the road, for sure.
2. A STAR IS BORN – $28m
3. FIRST MAN – $16.5m
Universal was hoping for a better return on their Oscar-bait entry based on the first moon landing. The studio estimated a better return near $20 million, as it positioned the release to capitalise on the raves from recent film festivals. This is a tepid response, and the fact that it earned a lower than expected grade from audiences (the CinemaScore was “B+”) it may not leave the launch pad as hoped for.
(I truly do apologize for delving into film critic prolix like thaat.)
4. GOOSEBUMPS 2: HAUNTED HALLOWEEN – $16.22m
Arriving right at the projected level Sony is hoping this will draw the kids throughout the month. There is a logjam of sorts with kids offerings, so there could be a tough stretch ahead.
5. SMALLFOOT – $9.3m
The animated yarn about yetis is holding rather well. A slender drop of -35% sees the total building up nicely for the Warners, and in the end should do better than some of the other recent kid titles.
6. NIGHTSCHOOL – $8.03m
Kevin Hart’s comedy is beginning its decline while earning slightly better than the recent adult comedies. With a $60 million total it will bee one of the better performers in the category from the past few years.
7. BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE – $7.22m
Fox tried to promote this stylish adult drama to a successful opening, but the crowded field meant there was little attention to be shared. Estimates were to see it possibly approaching a $10m opening, but the Saturday returns actually saw it dip 10%, despite more showings available than Fridays.
8. THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS – $3.97m
Giving way to the newcomers the other Jack Black childrens title has had a respectable, if not blockbuster, run while earning $62 million.
9. THE HATE U GIVE – $1.76m
This genre young adult drama from Fox expanded into 248 screens, drawing a hefty screen average of over $7,000. The critical praise has been strong and there is some hope it could garner some awards season attention and get a lengthy run in theaters.
10. A SIMPLE FAVOR – $1.38m
The female thriller managed to hang on long enough to nab $50 million in total for its run.
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