Theater Counts: Lego Batman Set for Widest-Ever February Opening

February 9, 2017

Releasing a film in 4,000 theaters isn’t a novelty any more. In fact, it’s happened 76 times before, including 14 times in 2016 alone, with Sing being the most recent film to do so. Releasing a film in 4,000 theaters in February, however, has never happened until this weekend, when The Lego Batman Movie will smash the previous record, held (surprisingly) by Jupiter Ascending, which opened in 3,885 theaters back in February, 2015. The Lego Movie opened in 3,775 locations on this weekend two years ago, and the extra 300 theaters bodes well for Lego Batman to top the first movie in the franchise’s $69 million debut weekend. With that kind of release happening, it’s perhaps a bit of a surprise that there are two other films opening in more than 3,000 venues.

Looking to turn this into a five-day weekend, thanks to Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, is Fifty Shades Darker. It will launch in 3,710 theaters, which is slightly more than the 3,646 that Fifty Shades of Grey played in on its opening weekend two years ago. That opening was helped significantly by Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday, and Darker won’t come close to Grey’s $89 million first outing.

The third wide opening is also the third sequel starting out in theaters this weekend. John Wick: Chapter Two launches in 3,113 locations, and will be happy to land in third place for the weekend. The first film had a $14 million first weekend, but good enough legs to take it to $43 million in total.

Among the films opening next weekend, The Great Wall is tipped to have the biggest opening, and Universal expects it to debut in 3,200 theaters. Fist Fight and A Cure for Wellness also open wide.

Filed under: Theater Counts