Overall business got off to a solid start for the Fall season, up 12% from this same weekend last year, which featured the $54 million opening for The Nun.
As expected, it was Pennywise the clown that topped this weekend's box office. And while he didn't exactly shatter records, he still proved mighty scary. It - Chapter 2 earned an estimated $91 million this weekend (strong $19,912 per-venue average from the fifth-widest release in history at 4,570 locations). Opening on the low-end of expectations, the horror sequel earned around 75% of its' predecessors' $123 million launch on this same weekend two years ago, which remains as the biggest opener ever for the month of September. However, Chapter 2 did earn more than the Halloween reboot from last year, which pulled in $85 million in its debut. And on a budget that was around $70-75 million, its still a strong start by all means. With a solid "B+" CinemaScore, Chapter 2 should play well through September, though it won't match its' predecessors' $320 million final gross.
Overseas numbers were very strong too, with an estimated $95 million from most territories and a $185 million worldwide launch. It ranked as the biggest horror movie opening ever in several markets. The original It earned $700 million worldwide, a number that the sequel may reach depending on how it fares in its remaining markets. Warner Bros., who has had a bit of a rough year so far, forecast a debut anywhere between $90 and $105 million.
The rest of the Top 10 was basically full of August holdovers. Angel Has Fallen retreated to second place, and was down 49% to $6 million. With $53.5 million in 17 days, the threequel will surpass London Has Fallen's $60 million final gross perhaps as soon as next weekend. Good Boys was right behind it, off a light 43% to $5.4 million, for a very solid $66.8 million in 24 days, with still a little gas left in the tank. The Lion King is starting to approach the end of its run, but the remake continues to roar pretty loudly. Off a light 39% in its eighth weekend to $4.2 million, Disney's blockbuster is at a huge $529.1 million in 56 days and a huge $1.6 billion worldwide.
Overcomer and Hobbs and Shaw essentially tied for fifth place, and could switch spots before the weekend is over. The Kendrick Brothers' latest held well in its third frame, off 34% to $3.75 million, for a solid $24.7 million pick-up in 17 days. The faith-based film is running ahead of Fireproof and Courageous through the same point, and could make its way to around $35 million stateside, or around 7 times its $5 million budget. Hobbs and Shaw was off 42% to $3.7 million, for a decent $164.3 million gross in six weeks of release. While its' holding better than previous Fast and Furious films, its' still likely not to earn more than $175 million stateside. Thankfully, overseas has made up ground with the worldwide gross likely to top out at $750 million.
The remaining spots in the Top 10 were separated by less than $200,000, which could mean some of these films could change spots in the list. Jumping into the Top 10 in its fifth frame is indie drama The Peanut Butter Falcon. Remaining in 1,300 locations, the Shia LaBeouf flick was off just 25% to $2.3 million, for a decent $12.3 million pick-up since its limited launch one month ago. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark followed with a 55% drop to $2.27 million. The PG-13 scarefest is at a very good $62.1 million gross in one month of release.
Ready or Not fell apart in the face of Pennywise, down 62% to $2.2 million, for a mild $25.6 million gross in 20 days. However, this is a decent result in the face of just a $6 million budget, and probably more than anyone thought it would earn. Rounding out the list is Dora and the Lost City of Gold (which I will be seeing Tuesday), which was down 47% in its fifth frame to $2.17 million. The TV series adaptation has earned $54.2 million in one month of release, and $82 million worldwide. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood essentially tied it, off 48% to $2.15 million in its seventh frame. Quentin Tarantino's latest has earned a very good $134.4 million in 49 days, along with over $300 million worldwide.
And that's about it. Next weekend, two more moderate releases open to challenge Pennywise. Out of both, Jennifer Lopez and company look to have the best chance with female crime heist Hustlers. Meanwhile, drama The Goldfinch will hope to pull in early awards season buzz. Look for a predictions report (along with reviews of Dora and Blinded by the Light) by the end of this week. :)
