Ultimately, it was Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish that won the day with their latest comedy, Night School. Despite somewhat modest tracking, this was another case of the African-American audience coming out in droves here (as they've had little options in theaters lately). The PG-13 comedy opened to a solid $28 million (solid $9,302 per-venue average), in line with most expectations (though some analysts were optimistic and thought $30 million could be cleared). For Hart, this is pretty much his batting average, coming in between the About Last Night remake ($25 million) and Think Like a Man Too ($29 million). For Haddish, this was a few steps behind last year's Girls Trip ($31 million). For comedies in general this year, this is ahead of most options that have been available such as Blockers ($20 million) and last month's Crazy Rich Asians ($26 million). Most importantly, on a budget of just $29 million, this will likely be a big success when all is said and done. Distributor Universal celebrated a second-straight week at #1, and they didn't release an official projection this weekend. The film earned an "A-" CinemaScore.
Meanwhile, despite showing better tracking metrics than the Hart and Haddish, Warner Animation's Smallfoot instead settled for more low-key numbers in second place. The Yeti tale opened to $23 million in its debut (mild $5,573 per-venue average, matching most analysts' expectations. That's ahead of Storks ($21 million) and The LEGO Ninjago Movie ($20 million), but its' not a particularly great start. Despite a heavy marketing effort, families appear to be waiting for the holiday season options. Like I mentioned before, with the exception of the Hotel Transylvania films, animated films that open in September rarely make much of an impact. It looks like Warner Animation will need to look elsewhere on the calendar to launch original films like this (thankfully, they have The LEGO Movie 2 on the way next February). As for this one, it should play decently through October, with only Goosebumps 2 serving as real competition for it. Audiences gave it a "A-" CinemaScore, while the budget was a moderate $80 million. Warner Bros. expected a debut above $20 million.Following a very solid start last week, the mixed word-of-mouth caught up to The House with a Clock in its' Walls. The family spookfest was down 53% to $12.5 million, for a moderate $44.8 million pick-up in 10 days. The film should have a bit of a break next week before another Halloween movie aimed at families (Goosebumps 2) hits theaters. Overseas, it has yet to make much of an impact.
Meanwhile, A Simple Favor continued to show strong holding power. Off 36% to $6.6 million, Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick have captured a solid $43.1 million in 17 days. The Nun had a second straight solid hold, off 46% in its fourth frame to $5.4 million. The latest in the Conjuring universe has earned a very good $109 million in 24 days, on its way to a $120-125 million finish. On an even better note, however, the film has become the biggest-grossing in its franchise so far worldwide ($330 million with more to go).
Opening in sixth place with weak results (as expected) was horror flick H*** Fest. The CBS Films production opened to just $5.1 million (weak $2,209 per-venue average). While the budget here was only $5.5 million, anyone could tell this movie was just basically dumped here. Little marketing, little awareness and no real buzz didn't help either. Audiences didn't take to it either, giving the slashfest a "C" CinemaScore. While the budget was small enough that not much should be lost on it, it's not going to make any real profit either.
Continuing to prove to be one of the leggiest releases in quite some time, Crazy Rich Asians earned a seventh-straight week in the Top 10. The well-received book adaptation was off just 35% to $4.2 million, for a strong $165.7 million pick-up in 51 days, and will try to push for $180 million. Meanwhile, The Predator sunk another 60% in its third frame to $3.7 million. The Fox reboot has earned only $47.6 million in 17 days, and only $115 million worldwide. This doesn't sit well with an $88 million production budget that doesn't include marketing. The domestic gross may get past 2010's Predators ($52 million), but that wouldn't even be close to a consolation prize.
White Boy Rick is getting lost in the mix, off 51% in its third frame to $2.4 million. Sony's true story drama is at a mediocre $21.7 million in 17 days, and won't reach its $29 million budget. Peppermint rounded out the Top 10 in its fourth week, off 52% to $1.8 million. Jennifer Garner's latest is at a mild $33.5 million in 24 days.
And that's about it. September has turned out to be strong, with 2018 proving to be the second-biggest September on record behind only last year. October could turn out to be even bigger, as two potential big hits start off the month. Tom Hardy takes on one of Spider-Man's most famous villains, Venom, while Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga take on the buzzy remake of A Star is Born. How will they perform? I will have a predictions post up on Wednesday. :)
