The latest box office numbers are in, and it bears not-so-shocking news. Disney reigns, people like their horror movies, and Will Smith can’t catch a break. His newest sci-fi action film, “Gemini Man” is facing a loss of $75 million or more, after it finished its second weekend at the box office with a meager $118.7 million worldwide from a budget of roughly $140 million.
It seems audiences were simply not interested in a film that, as our own Rodrigo Perez says, is more interested in technology “than it is with the basic fundamentals like character, story and something of worth to say.” Thankfully for the Ang Lee-directed film, the loss will be split between Skydance Media, Paramount Pictures and the two China-based companies, Fosun and Alibaba. It remains to be seen whether audiences will embrace the 3D, high frame rates format once James Cameron drops “Avatar 2” on us.
Meanwhile, the latest in Disney’s never-ending attempt to conquer the world with live-action remakes to their classic films, “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” debuted at number one with a disappointing estimated $36 million, nearly half of the $69.4 million opening for the 2014 original. Mixed reviews certainly didn’t help the sequel, but it’s okay you guys, I think Disney will be alright after all.
The biggest surprise of the weekend is definitely the continuing success of Todd Phillips’ “Joker.” Earning an estimated $29 million with 700 fewer screens than “Maleficent.” The R-rated comic book film dropped another minuscule 47% in its third weekend. After breaking records in its debut opening weekend, the film continues to defy expectations and laugh at its competition, amassing $737.5 million in global ticket sales thus far. Now that “Joker” it has already outgrossed “Justice League” and is coming close to the totals for “Suicide Squad,” and “Batman v Superman,” what DC supervillain should get their gritty, prestige drama? My vote is Condiment King.
READ MORE: ‘Joker’ Destroys ‘Gemini Man’ At The Box Office As Bong Joon-Ho’s ‘Parasite’ Sets Records
Coming in third place is “Zombieland 2: Double Tap” with $26 million, which is less than the adjusted opening weekend gross of the original “Zombieland” in 2009 despite the increased budget ($42 million versus $23.6 million).
Ending on a positive note, it was a strong weekend for limited-run films. “Parasite,” which expanded from 3 to 33 theaters, earned $1.24 million this past weekend. Debuting this weekend was also A24’s “The Lighthouse” which debuted in 8 theaters and accumulated an estimated $419,764 and is expanding nationwide next weekend. Also debuting this past weekend was Fox Searchlight’s “Jojo Rabbit,” which not only received generally positive reviews after its premiere at TIFF, but managed to bring in an estimated $350,000 in just 5 theaters.
Next weekend sees the release of the cop thriller “Black and Blue,” STX’s horror film “Countdown,” and audiences will finally be able to see “The Current War: Director’s Cut” which is a movie that is apparently just now being released in theaters. Will “Joker” laugh at them too? We’ll find out next week.
Here’s the domestic top 10 for October 18 to October 20:
1. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil – $36M (Debut)
2. Joker – $29.2M ($247M Overall)
3. Zombieland: Double Tap – $26.7M (Debut)
4. The Addams Family – $16M ($56.8M)
5. Gemini Man – $8.5M ($36.5M)
6. Abominable – $3.5M ($53.9M)
7. Downton Abbey – $3M ($88.6M)
8. Judy – $2M ($19M)
9. Hustlers – $2M ($101.8M)
10. It: Chapter Two – $1.5 ($209.6M)