Taylor Swift filled stadiums across the country in the box office realm with around $95 million in its debut; probably another adequate example of how exaggerated predictions for numbers from nothing (relatively weeks ago) to putting AMC in a defensive position with a worthwhile opening (short of the $100 million projections). Almost a likewise scenario of Michael Jackson’s This is It back in 2009 when folks were outcrying as to why analysts were putting projections at a $50 million when the film barely cracked $23.2 million in its first few days, and some decreeing it was a response to profit from the unfortunate circumstances regarding Jackson’s death.
If numbers prove to be good for The Eras Tour opening, it might displace Joker for the highest-opening benchmark in an October domestic release. Reportedly, the film will only be available for select weekends, an interesting recipe for success when uncertain times pan for releases that should’ve been surefire hits back four years ago, but everything treads water now or sinks worse than the ships unfortunately lost at seas. In a way, this is the fall release that can take over the shoes that Dune: Part Two failed to do as it was shuffled away till next year for a release. With an A+ from CinemaScore and dazzling reviews, Taylor Swift will make the most for her case and her following concerts.
In other news, horror films have been keeping relatively afloat for the spooky season of Halloween. The Exorcist: Believer took a harsher hit with a 58% drop in its second weekend ($11 million, with $44.93 million domestically). Poor reviews and lack of general excitement for this IP since its 1973 original don’t get much rallying here, and Universal spending $400 million for the rights hasn’t been a pulchritidunous note. Saw X has been doing marvelous, dipping 27% in its third weekend and totalling to $41.4 million domestically and $64.8 million globally. Strong reviews and a low budget ensure a Saw XI is inevitable. And A Haunting in Venice will pass $100 million globally later this week.
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie earned $7 million in its third weekend, The Creator has generated $79.1 globally on an $80 million budget (this will prove to be a bust), and The Blind has earned $14 million in its third weekend (while nowhere close to Sound of Freedom, it is another stellar movie from Fathom Events). The Equalizer 3 only lost two theaters in its seventh weekend, as it inches much closer to its predcessors’ numbers, making it an underrated consistent series.
The Barbenheimer trend has almost wrapped up its course on grand notes; Barbie will stick with $1.44 billion worldwide while Oppenheimer will lay claim to around $950 million worldwide.
Next weekend sees the release of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, Butcher’s Crossing, The Other Zoey, and The Persian Version.
