Theater counts: Ghostbusters takes off in 4,345 theaters

March 21, 2024

It was another battle at the domestic box office this week with Kung Fu Panda 4, and Dune: Part Two once again going head-to-head for the number one and number two spot, with the former taking the weekend, while the latter topped the weekday dailies chart. To date, the two films have combined for over $328 million in domestic revenue, with Dune grabbing $213 million, while Kung Fu Panda 4 holds $114 million. This week will see both take a backseat to the latest in the Ghostbusters franchise as Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire charges into theaters.

Following the success of 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Frozen Empire brings back the newest members of the franchise, re-uniting once again with the original Ghostbusters from the first film. Debuting in 4,345 theaters, the supernatural comedy ties last year’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania for the 42nd-widest release ever, and the widest release since June 30, 2023, when Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opened in 4,600 locations. Through four previous installments, the franchise has earned just short of $944 million from worldwide showings and it should be easy work for the fifth film to top the $1 billion mark. Jason Reitman hands off directing duties to Gil Kenan while both share writing credits.

Also opening this week is the horror feature Immaculate, starring Sydney Sweeney. Opening in a solid 2,150 cinemas, the film follows an American nun who embarks on a new life in a remote convent in the Italian countryside. Her warm welcome however soon devolves into a nightmare as it becomes clear her new home harbors a sinister secret and unspeakable terrors. The Neon film reunites Sweeney with director Michael Mohan, who helmed 2021’s The Voyeurs.

Lastly, making its start in 1,034 movie houses is another horror flick in the way of Late Night with the Devil. The movie, starring David Dastmalchian, follows an early 1970’s talkshow host who will do anything to catch up with Johnny Carson, and during a live broadcast interviews a parapsychologist, inviting the devil into the nation’s living rooms.

Rounding out the top five this week are the aforementioned Kung Fu Panda 4, and Dune: Part Two, available in 3,805 and 3,437 locations respectively. Occupying the fourth place spot is last week’s newcomer, Arthur the King, retaining its opening week count of 3,003 venues. Lastly, Imaginary is still holding on in a respectable 2,513 locations.

Looking ahead to next week we see the release of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The monster epic sequel to 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong is expected to make its way into approximately 3,800 cinemas.

Theater Counts for March 22

Estimates for March 29

Filed under: Theater Counts, Ghostbusters, King Kong, Godzilla, Kung Fu Panda, Dune, Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman, David Dastmalchian, Michael Mohan, Sydney Sweeney