Thursday Night Previews: Grindelwald’s Previews were Fantastic and Beastly

November 16, 2018

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald earned $9.1 million during previews on Thursday, which is better than Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them managed. Granted, it was better by mere percentage points, as that earlier film earned $8.75 million during its previews. Where it goes from here is a bit of a mystery. On the one hand, its reviews are much worse than the previous installment’s reviews were and it is a sequel. Both of those facts suggest shorter legs. However, the gap between Fantastic Beasts and the last original Harry Potter film may have resulted in a much more front-loaded run, so The Crimes of Grindelwald could benefit from that. As always, we will know better this time tomorrow when Friday estimates are out.

Widows opened with $600,000 during its previews. I was expecting $500,000, so this is a good sign. Its reviews should help its world of mouth, as will its more mature target audience. We will have a better idea this time tomorrow, but for now, I think its potential has grown from $14 million to perhaps $17 million.

Instant Family was next with $550,000, but as a more family orientated film, it should have better legs surpassing Widows over the full weekend. It probably won’t manage that feat on Friday, but it should be very close. More than $20 million over the full weekend is a real target to aim for.

- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Comparisons
- Instant Family Comparisons
- Widows Comparisons

- Dr Seuss’ The Grinch Comparisons
- The Girl in the Spider’s Web Comparisons
- Overlord Comparisons

Filed under: Midnight Previews, Widows, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Instant Family, Harry Potter