There are several weekends on the box office calendar that studios and distributors know will be tough sells. Traditionally, that means the 3-day frame following the Thanksgiving holiday, when many Americans are, in theory, spending their hours hunting for holiday gifts to get in the mail. Times may be changing. Especially after “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” earned a fantastic $63 million over the frame domestically and $109 million worldwide.
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The Universal Pictures and Blumhouse production earned terrible reviews and just a B Cinemascore, but it didn’t matter. The first movie, “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” opened to $80 million in October 2023 despite dropping on Peacock on the same day. It eventually earned $291 million worldwide. The sequel didn’t match that opening frame, but considering the historically weak weekend, it was a massive win for Universal and exhibitors. With a reported production budget of $51 million, “Freddy’s” will be a very profitable endeavor for all involved.
Dropping to no. 2 was “Zooptia 2” with another $44 million and $220 million domestic so far. Worldwide, the Walt Disney Animation Studios release has been a monster, taking $915 million in just 10 days. The movie is now the second biggest international film in China in history, earning $430.4 million in the territory alone. The Animated Feature Oscar contender should pass the $1 billion mark within days.
Other new releases also sparked the box office. The anime thriller “Jujutsu Kasen: Execution” took in $10.1 million in just 1,833 or a superb $5,540 per screen. After three days, the Japanese import is now the highest-grossing release in distributor GKIDS’ 17-year history.
Lionsgate dropped Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” in 1,198 theaters for $3.25 million. An excellent result considering the film’s 4-hour running time. Also, check out those reviews.
Hindi language thriller “Dhurandhar” pulled in a super-impressive $1.98 million in just 391 theaters. Sony Pictures Classics’ filmed performance of “Merrily We Roll Along” took in $1.23 million in 1,084 theaters for an OK $1,084 per screen. The “Downton Abbey” spoof, “Fackham Hall,” was a major disappointment, pulling in just $620,908 in 1,112 theaters despite positive reviews. “100 Nights of Hero” was also less than heroic, with just $250,000 in 828 venues for a horrific $301 per screen.
Among other releases already in theaters, “Wicked for Good” hit $296 million domestic and $440 million worldwide. “Predator: Badlands” is now at $88 million in the U.S. and $177.5 million globally. “Now You See Me Now You Don’t” has pulled in $55 million domestic and $209 worldwide.
New films opening on Friday include “Scarlet” and “Ella McCay.”
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