Weekend Estimates: Clock Runs Fast, Other Openings Stumble
September 23, 2018
The House with a Clock in its Walls was the only new release to top expectations this weekend, and it is doing so with ease. The film will pull in a projected $26.85 million over the weekend, which is close to Goosebumps’s $28.87 million debut and is much better than predicted. Its reviews and its B plus from CinemaScore suggest merely average legs, but this is still a great start for a film that cost $42 million to make. It is way too early to make a call on its international numbers, so I’m a little wary of calling this a financial hit just yet. It did open in first place in the Philippines with 602,000 in 195 theaters, but it only managed third place in Germany with $789,000 in 465.
A Simple Favor is expected to dip just 35% to $10.4 million over the weekend for a two-week total of $32.6 million. At this pace, it will have no trouble getting to $50 million, while $60 million is a good target to aim for. The film will easily cover its production budget domestically, and while it likely won’t do as well internationally, it could still break even before it reaches the home market.
The Nun is also holding on better than expected with $10.25 million over the weekend, which is enough to get it over the $100 million mark on Sunday. Warner Bros. has had a great couple of months and has three $100 million movies currently in the top ten.
The Predator is not as lucky, down 65% to $8.7 million during its second weekend of release for a two-week total of $40.4 million. The film cost $88 million to make, so this is not a good result. Its international numbers are not looking any better, so it will likely end up losing money.
Crazy Rich Asians will remain in fifth place with $6.52 million over the weekend for a six-week total of $159.44 million.
The next new release of the week was Fahrenheit 11/9. This film is missing the top five by a sizable margin, earning eighth place with $3.1 million. That puts it below the Mendoza Line and will seriously limit its long-term chances. Granted, its reviews are the best of the four new releases on this week’s list and it did earn an A from CinemaScore. However, theater owners will be looking to drop it as soon as they are contractually able to.
Life Itself will miss the top ten with just $2.11 million in just over 2,600 theaters. Its theater average is so low that its word-of-mouth won’t matter, as theater owners will be looking to drop its A.S.A.P. That said, its reviews weren’t going to be an asset regardless, while its B plus from CinemaScore was mediocre, at best.
Assassination Nation will land in 15th place with $1.03 million. It too will open well below the Mendoza Line, but with better reviews and a much more stylistic look, it could become a cult classic on the home market.
On a more positive note, The Sisters Brothers is projected to open with an average of $30,507 in four theaters. That’s a great start for a limited releaese.
- The House with a Clock in its Walls Comparisons
- Fahrenheit 11/9 Comparisons
- Life Itself Comparisons
- Assassination Nation Comparisons
Filed under: Weekend Estimates, The Sisters Brothers, The Predator, The Nun, Fahrenheit 11/9, Crazy Rich Asians, The House with a Clock in its Walls, Life Itself, A Simple Favor, Assassination Nation