Remember when Leonardo DiCaprio was a reliable name in the movie business that would assuredly move lots of ticket sales for being part of big projects, including many Oscar shout-outs? Well, that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore, as this is now a long shot from the 2010s, and it’s time to hit it off with a lower-than-usual opening with One Battle After Another.
The Leonardo DiCaprio-led installment took in $22.4 million in another relatively quiet weekend. This opening is roughly on par with Killers of the Flower Moon, which opened in October 2023 with $23 million. The R-rated installment has earned very high positive reviews and an A from CinemaScore, but predating this on DiCaprio’s star power to put folks in seats has somewhat dwindled (due to a much different standard compared to post-2019 discussions). If it’s any consolation prize, Warner Bros. has passed $4 billion at the global box office for the year, and they can tout some impressive frontrunners come Oscar season. WB has handled this year with such exemplary actions, thanks to originals, franchise start-ups, and horror sequels showing extraordinary prowess in their performances and legs. Will other studios take notice? It’s difficult to envision, especially when you have reliable Disney sequels (Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash) bring the thunder to close up the year.
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie opened in second place with $13.7 million, and The Strangers: Chapter 2 opened with $5.5 million. One you could say was worthwhile, while the other falls into the trap of audiences clearly not following the trend. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle is days away from passing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon as the highest-grossing foreign language feature in domestic earnings (not counting for inflation).
The Conjuring: Last Rites performed a bit better in its fourth weekend, dipping 44% to attain $6.86 million; it has now surpassed $161 million domestically and $435 million worldwide. It has already passed The Exorcist ($429 million globally) to become the third-highest-grossing horror film. Will it have enough scares to get past IT: Chapter Two‘s $473 million? It’ll be close, but miss the mark by a slight amount. A bit of sadness for a feature that’s blossoming earnings for a reliable IP.
Him tanked 72% in its second weekend, just sliding past the $20 million domestic mark. The Long Walk took in $3.4 million in its third weekend. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has passed $77 million worldwide.
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy was re-released in theaters with modest results, with the notable exception being Spider-Man 2, which surpassed $375 million domestically. Weapons has passed $150 million domestically.
Next weekend sees the release of The Smashing Machine, Anemone, Good Boy, Shell, Bone Lake, Coyotes, and Killing Faith.
