It's been a rough year for Paramount, who can't seem to get franchises back and running again. And despite an improved critical reception, Terminator: Dark Fate showed that audiences weren't exactly interested in another installment. The reboot starring Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger only managed $29 million in its launch (moderate $7,105 per-venue average). That's below the high-30's to mid-40's millions analysts were expecting, with some thinking it could approach $50 million. The previous Terminator film, the PG-13 rated Genysis, earned $42 million in its first five days back in 2015. Marketing for the film was solid, but didn't quite generate any real excitement for the project. Audiences did like what they saw, giving the film a "B+" CinemaScore. Whether or not that helps with legs remains to be seen. Overseas numbers aren't great either, with the film underperforming in China ($28 million) and the worldwide gross at just $125 million in two weeks of international release.Against a budget that was close to $200 million, analysts are already reporting that Paramount and Skydance (Disney/Fox will also be affected as they handled international release) will lose $100-130 million on the film. Genysis was an international hit, earning $350 million overseas, but this one will mostlikely have a hard time getting close to that number. Case in point, this is a franchise that honestly didn't need this installment in the first place.
Interestingly enough, Joker was unfazed by the Terminator. The DC villain story was off a light 30% to $13.5 million, for a strong $299.2 million pick-up in one month of release. Awards season buzz for this title continues to play in its favor, and overseas numbers are massive too. With $635 million so far, its' pulled in $934 million and looks likely to pass the $1 billion mark in the next two weeks.
After two weeks at #1 (actuals revealed it to be #1 last week), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil held surprisingly well in its third frame. The fantasy sequel was down 32% to $13.1 million, for a $85.2 million gross in 17 days. While pacing far behind its' predecessor, this sequel now is assured of finishing ahead of the century mark stateside, something Alice through the Looking Glass was unable to do three years ago. It's also making up ground overseas, with the worldwide gross approaching $400 million in three weeks.
It wasn't all bad news this weekend, however. Opening in fourth place with better-than-expected numbers is historical drama Harriet. Based on Harriet Tubman's life story, the Focus Features release earned $11.7 million (decent $5,671 per-venue average). For a movie that was under many's radar, this is a strong win for a $17 million-budgeted film. Reviews were decent, while audiences gave it a strong "A+" CinemaScore. Harriet marks the second-straight win for Focus, following last month's Downton Abbey (which has earned $95 million stateside). With apparent strong word-of-mouth, I would not be surprised to see Harriet play well through Thanksgiving and beyond. Projections from analysts was $6-8 million over the week.Despite Halloween passing, The Addams Family held nicely in its fourth frame. The animated hit was down a light 31% to $8.3 million, for a very solid $85.1 million pick-up in 24 days. It's now likely to finish above the century mark stateside. Also faring well after the holiday was Zombieland: Double Tap. The long-awaited sequel fell 37% in its third frame to $7.4 million, for a decent $59.4 million pick-up in 17 days. It's pretty much running parallel to its predecessor (which earned $60.6 million through this same point), and should end up around $75 million like its predecessor.
Surprisingly faring well post-Halloween as well was horror flick Countdown. The teen-targeted flick was down 35% to $5.8 million, for a $17.7 million pick-up in 10 days for the STX Films release. That might not look good on paper, but against a $6.5 million budget, it's pretty good. It should make it to $25 million stateside. It fared better than Black and Blue, which took a hit from Harriet. The police drama was down 51% to $4.1 million, for an OK $15.5 million gross in 10 days.
The two other new releases opened to mediocre numbers this weekend. Hoping to pull in Oscar buzz, Motherless Brooklyn earned just $3.5 million in ninth place (weak $2,608 per-venue average). With mixed reviews, the book adaptation looks likely to miss the mark both for awards season and box office success. Meanwhile, animated effort Arctic Dogs got lost in the midst of more appealing family fare. The Entertainment Studios release earned just $2.9 million in 10th (horrible $1,020 per-venue average), in what will likely be a fast fade from theaters. Budgets for both films were $26 million and $50 million, respectively.
That's about it. Next weekend, four new films will attempt to crowd the box office arena. Leading the way is the long-awaited Shining sequel Doctor Sleep. Holiday comedy Last Christmas, war drama Midway and family film Playing with Fire will also hope to pull in decent business. Projections will be released Thursday. :)
