Weekend Estimates: Shazam Stops New Releases Cold

April 14, 2019

Shazam

Shazam really bounced back from a poor Friday performance. So much so that it almost match our prediction with an estimated $25.14 million over the weekend for a two-week total of $94.31 million. Internationally, the film is projected to earn $35.9 million on 23,752 screens in 79 markets to push its international total to $163.9 million. This means its worldwide total rose past $250 million after just two weeks of release. The film will have no trouble breaking even after a run like this, even with Avengers: Endgame looming large.

Little is the only new release doing well at the box office as it is earning an estimated $15.5 million, which is an amazing start for a movie that cost just $20 million to make. Its legs should be acceptable. It is a family film, so that should help, but its reviews and its B plus from CinemaScore are mediocre. Additionally, it won’t find an audience internationally, not after its $1.9 million international debut. In fact, the film failed to crack $1 million in the U.K. with just $751,000 and was even weaker in Australia with $508,000.

Hellboy was aiming to become a franchise starter, but that won’t happen after its estimated $12.02 million debut, not unless it is a massive hit internationally. The reviews are weak and it earned the worst CinemaScore of the four wide releases as well. Most theater owners will be looking to drop this film, especially with Avengers: Endgame on its way.

Pet Sematary is falling faster than expected, but will still finish a place higher, thanks to incredibly weak competition. Its estimated weekend haul is $10.0 million for a two-week total of $41.1 million. That said, a 50% sophomore stint decline isn’t bad for a horror film.

Amazingly, Dumbo is next with an estimated $9.19 million over the weekend. The film will hit $100 million shortly, but I fear this is merely saving face and it will end up in the red.

The next best new wide release is After. However, the film is only managing $6.2 million according to estimates. Terrible reviews and a B from CinemaScore will likely result in short legs.

Missing Link is right behind with $5.84 million. It earned the best reviews and was tied for the best CinemaScore, with a B+. However, this result is a disaster. I love stop-motion animated films, but if I were to advise a studio thinking about making one, I would tell them not to. There’s just no audience for them.

There were no breakout hits in limited release, but Her Smell and Teen Spirit appear to be doing well with estimated averages of $13,000 and $11,000 respectively.

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Shazam!, Dumbo, Missing Link, Hellboy, Pet Sematary, Little, Teen Spirit, Her Smell, After