Theater Counts (Updated): Planet of the Apes Sets Out in 4,022 Theaters

July 13, 2017

For proof that we’re living in the age of blockbusters, look no further than the fact that the industry’s streak of opening a movie in over 4,000 theaters will extend into its seventh weekend, with War for the Planet of the Apes set to debut in 4,022 locations. That’s technically the closest we’ve come to missing the 4,000-theater mark during the streak, but is basically in line with The Mummy’s 4,035-theater start. Fox will be hoping for a considerably better debut (The Mummy opened with just $31 million), and can take comfort in the fact that Wonder Woman made $103 million from just a few more theaters (4,165 to be precise) a little over a month ago. Tracking is looking good for the ape movie, and it has enough theaters to top the chart, even if Spider-Man: Homecoming has a good second weekend.

Also opening wide this weekend is horror movie Wish Upon from Broad Green Pictures. It starts out in 2,250 theaters. The Big Sick, meanwhile, will expand to 2,597 theaters after a lucrative run in limited release.

Looking ahead to next weekend, Dunkirk isn’t expected to continue the 4,000-theater streak, with Warner Bros. announcing an estimate of 3,600 venues for its launch. It still seems like a good bet to do well at the box office, and the studio is probably looking more for prestige locations, rather than trying to get it in as many theaters as possible.

Finally, at least so far, STX Entertainment haven’t yet reported an estimate for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, but we’ll update this article if we get a number.

Friday update: Valerian will open in an estimated 3,400 theaters. Also announced today are revised counts for Universal, and for Purdie Distribution.

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts