As expected, audiences came out for Toy Story 4, but it sounds like analysts were expecting too much out of it. Instead of the $160-200 million some were expecting, the film ended up instead with a $118 million opening (still strong $25,792 per-venue average from 4,575 theaters). That's ahead of Toy Story 3's $110 million start from nine years ago (but behind it if you adjust for inflation). Disney expected $140 million for the weekend. However, this is far from disappointing. Toy Story 4 still had the fourth-biggest opening for an animated film, behind Incredibles 2, Finding Dory and Shrek Forever After. And overseas, it earned $120 million from most markets (with Mexico having the biggest launch with an outstanding $23 million). The $238 million worldwide launch is the strongest yet for an animated title.So yes, Toy Story 4 is still a big hit. But, one has to wonder what also kept it from potentially breaking out higher? I have another theory. Some fans might have found the third movie to be a perfect ending and didn't find a fourth one worthwhile. That might be hard to imagine with strong reviews and an "A" CinemaScore. But, its' not out of the possibility. Also, this summer has produced sequel after sequel that have underperformed as audiences haven't shown too much interest.
Thankfully, however, there's basically zero competition in the coming weeks for animated fare, with only fellow Disney flick The Lion King opening over the next two months. That leaves the next several weeks wide open for Toy Story 4 to pull in families.
Meanwhile, in second place, Child's Play acted as very solid counterprogramming, but it didn't quite meet expectations either. The horror flick pulled in $14.1 million (decent $4,674 per-venue average), a bit behind the $16-18 million expected. It also fell a bit behind earlier this season's Ma ($18.2 million). Audience reception was relatively mixed as well (C+ CinemaScore). However, with just a $10 million production budget, this should wind up with a decent profit for all involved.
With the advantage of double-features with fellow Disney film Toy Story 3, Aladdin benefited immensely. The remake of the 1992 animated film was off just 30% to $12.2 million, for a strong $287.5 million pick-up in one month of release. Overseas markets continue to hold well, with the worldwide gross passing $800 million in just a month of release. $1 billion looks like its' not out of the question here, with the domestic gross looking to pass $300 million in the next week.
The competition really hit last week's topper, Men in Black: International. The reboot was down an alarming 64% to $10.8 million, for a weak $52.7 million in 10 days. Overseas numbers are coming to the rescue, with the worldwide gross already approaching $200 million in two weeks. Meanwhile, The Secret Life of Pets 2 fell 58% to $10.3 million, for a moderate $117.6 million gross in 17 days. In comparison, the original had earned $260 million through its' third week. Overseas numbers aren't terribly impressive either, with the worldwide gross at nearly $200 million in three weeks (the original ended up at $875 million).
Having one of the better holds of the weekend was Rocketman. The Elton John biopic was off 40% in its fourth weekend to $5.7 million, for a decent $77.3 million pick-up in 24 days. Look for a final gross a little over $90 million, along with maybe a similar amount overseas. Up a spot, John Wick - Chapter 3: Parabellum held solidly again, off another 36% to $4.1 million. The threequel has amassed $156.1 million stateside, and nearly $300 million worldwide.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters is starting to exit theaters, off 58% in its fourth weekend to $3.7 million. The sequel did manage to pass the century mark, with the domestic gross at $102.3 million in 24 days, with less than $10 million to go. It's earned $365 million worldwide with hopes of getting to $400 million (and breakeven). Dark Phoenix plunged another 62% to $3.6 million, for a weak $60.2 million gross in 17 days. The uninspired X-Men finale will leave theaters with maybe $250 million worldwide, if not slightly higher (not enough to justify its $200 million budget).
Following its disappointing start last week, Shaft collapsed 60% in its sophomore frame to $3.55 million, for a weak $15.9 million pick-up in 10 days. The reboot will likely end up short of $25 million, or about the same the previous movie earned in its opening weekend ($22 million, unadjusted for inflation).
Just outside the Top 10, Luc Besson's latest, Anna, was DOA. The action thriller earned just $3.5 million in 11th, for a weak $1,672 per-venue average. Overall buzz, marketing and anticipation were all very light heading into the weekend. It didn't seem like confidence from the studio was there either based on the marketing seen. For Besson, this is his lowest debut yet (though he also has gotten himself in the midst of controversy lately too).
And that's about it. Next weekend brings the latest movie in the Conjuring franchise, Annabelle Comes Home, which is tracking for a strong second place start behind Toy Story 4. Also, the Beatles gets the spotlight with their tribute film, Yesterday. Its' sure to be an interesting weekend, look for a predictions post on Thursday. :)
