It was no surprise which movie was going to be on top, but it is surprising how well it held this weekend. Joker was off just 42% in its sophomore frame to $55.9 million, for a strong $193.6 million pick-up in 10 days. That's one of the best holds for a comic book-inspired movie in quite some time, as the film held even better than 2017's Wonder Woman (-43%). Apparently overall word-of-mouth is strong, which is even more astounding considering the controversy that surrounded this film. Awards season buzz continues to spread as well. Joker also beat Gravity ($43 million) for the best second weekend in the month of October. With not much opening coming up for its' adult crowd (Zombieland 2 will play more to a particular fanbase), expect this to continue playing through October and even into November. Its' also playing strong overseas, with the worldwide number already passing $550 million in just two weeks. Joker could be on its way to becoming the first R-rated movie in history to pass $1 billion worldwide, but a denied release in China could hold it back. That being said, that wouldn't be a problem, especially against just a $60 million budget.
In a twist of fate (to a degree), the animated revival of The Addams Family struck a chord with family audiences this weekend. The PG-rated spookfest pulled in a very good $30.3 million (solid $7,562 per-venue average), ahead of the low-20's millions expected by analysts. What was it about this movie that succeeded? Multiple generations familiar with these characters plus nothing truly enticing for kids and the approach of Halloween definitely helped stir up buzz and anticipation. Addams outperformed many recent PG-rated scarefests such as The House with a Clock in its Walls ($26 million) and both Goosebumps films (though 3D showings helped). Reviews weren't very positive, however (despite a B+ CinemaScore), and Disney is releasing Maleficent: Mistress of Evil next week, which may hurt its chances of having strong holding power. However, with just a $40 million budget, this animated flick should find its way to solid numbers by its' end. It's definitely a sigh of relief for distributor MGM/UA, which was in dire need of a hit.
Meanwhile, Will Smith and Ang Lee suffered a major disappointment this weekend with sci-fi flick Gemini Man. The Paramount release came in below expectations in third place with just $20.6 million (mild $5,643 per-venue average). Despite a strong marketing effort, the PG-13 flick was unable to pull adults away from Joker, and was also hurt by negative reviews (audiences gave it a "B+" CinemaScore). For Smith, this is lower than his 2013 bomb After Earth ($27 million launch), and is nowhere near the Aladdin remake earlier this year. With a $138 million production budget and more in marketing, the film seems destined to hit red ink. Overseas numbers haven't been great, with worldwide numbers at $60 million and slowly climbing. Analysts were expecting near $25 million for the weekend.Taking a hit from some creepy, kooky neighbors, Abominable fell 49% to $6.1 million in its third weekend. DreamWorks Animation's latest has earned a disappointing $47.9 million in 17 days, on its way to a domestic final in the $60-65 million range. However, the film's most crushing blow is that its' failing to catch on in China, with just $15 million earned there so far. Even with the lower budget, it may not reach breakeven. Downton Abbey fared better, off 39% to $4.9 million, for a solid $82.7 million gross in 24 days. It's also hit a solid $150 million worldwide with a solid chance at finishing above $200 million.
Hustlers continued to play well in its fifth weekend, down 39% to $3.9 million. The R-rated crime comedy has earned $98.1 million in one month of release, and will get above $100 million this week. Continuing to expand, Judy was off only 30% to $3.2 million, for a decent $14.9 million in 17 days. Oscar attention for Renee Zellweger could get this to $25 million or higher. It: Chapter 2 continued to play well, off 41% to $3.1 million. Pennywise's return has pulled in $207 million in six weeks of release, along with nearly $450 million worldwide.
In ninth place, the final new nationwide release was DOA. R-rated comedy Jexi tried to fill in a void of real comedies in the marketplace, but failed to generate much attention. The Adam DeVine flick pulled in just $3.1 million (weak $1,332 per-venue average). Suffering from poor reviews and buzz, the film thankfully had a $5 million budget. This is officially the final CBS Films production, as the studio is being absolved into the Viacom-CBS re-merger (though Lionsgate released the final film).
Rounding out the list in its fourth frame is the sci-fi disappointment Ad Astra. Disney's release of the Fox flick was off 55% to $1.9 million, for a weak $47 million in 24 days. It too has also failed to take off overseas, with just $120 million earned worldwide against a budget that was close to $100 million.
And that's about it. Next weekend Disney unleashes its' latest live-action fairy tale. But can Maleficent: Mistress of Evil overcome the mixed buzz of its predecessor and deliver a strong opening? Meanwhile, fans of the 2009 original Zombieland will come out for Double Tap, which should have a strong debut in second or third place. Predictions will be posted on Thursday. :)
