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As the summer movie season slowly wraps up, it’s clear that it’s going out with a bang at the box office! Two new films, ‘Weapons’ and ‘Freakier Friday’, are making waves and pulling in audiences with impressive opening numbers.
This weekend’s results not only showcase how much these films earned but also hint at their potential in the ever-competitive cinematic landscape. Are you curious about what these films could mean for the future of summer blockbusters?
Box Office Performance Overview
Leading the charge is Warner Bros. and New Line’s ‘Weapons’, which has raked in an impressive $18.2 million from 3,202 locations—this figure includes earnings from Friday and preview screenings. This horror film, featuring a star-studded cast including Julia Garner and Josh Brolin, kicked off select screenings on Thursday afternoon, taking advantage of a pivotal moment in its narrative.
With a production budget of $38 million, early projections had it pegged at around $30 million, but it seems like it’s on track to surpass those expectations. This marks a notable improvement compared to the director’s previous work, ‘Barbarian’, which opened to $10 million and eventually grossed $40 million thanks to strong word of mouth.
How does that sound for a comeback?
New Line’s smart acquisition of ‘Weapons’ has certainly paid off, as the film has received critical praise, boasting an ‘A-‘ grade from CinemaScore. This is a promising sign for its staying power at the box office.
Considering that horror films often receive lower grades, this positive feedback suggests that audiences will likely continue to flock to theaters in the coming weeks. Exciting, right?
Strong Competition from ‘Freakier Friday’
In a solid second place, Disney’s ‘Freakier Friday’ made a noteworthy entrance, garnering $12.7 million across 3,975 sites.
This sequel to the beloved 2003 film reunites Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in a hilarious body-swapping adventure. With a production budget of $42 million, the film is set up for solid returns, especially with its positive reviews and an ‘A’ grade from CinemaScore. Pre-weekend projections were optimistic, estimating earnings between $27 million and $30 million, so it’s looking like it might exceed those expectations as well. Can you feel the nostalgia already?
The summer has seen a surge in family-friendly films, and ‘Freakier Friday’ fits the bill perfectly, offering a delightful mix of nostalgia and humor. As families continue to seek light-hearted entertainment, this film’s performance could further improve in the coming weeks, drawing in even more viewers. Are you planning to catch it with your family?
Other Significant Releases
Meanwhile, Disney’s ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ has dropped to third place, pulling in $4.5 million on Friday—a steep 62% decline from the previous week. Though it’s projected to reach a North American total of $229 million by the end of the weekend, it remains one of the lower-performing entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This trend reflects a broader shift in audience preferences when it comes to superhero films. What’s your take on the superhero fatigue?
Following closely is Universal’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’, which earned $3 million on Friday, aiming for a domestic total of $10.7 million in its second weekend. While this sequel has shown some resilience, it’s still down 51% from its opening. Finally, Paramount’s ‘The Naked Gun’ added $2.3 million, with a projected weekend total of $8.4 million, also reflecting a similar decline of 50% from its debut.
As we dig into this weekend’s box office results, one thing is clear: the landscape remains dynamic and fiercely competitive. The strong openings of ‘Weapons’ and ‘Freakier Friday’ not only highlight audience enthusiasm but also set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the summer movie season. Which film are you most excited to see?
