Friday Estimates: It on Pace for Second-Best September Debut

September 7, 2019

It: Chapter Two

It: Chapter Two isn’t living up to predictions or its predecessor, but it is still on pace to become one of the best September debuts of all time. The film pulled in $37.4 million on Friday, putting it on pace for just over $90 million over the full weekend. It is going to have shorter legs that the original had, thanks in part to the Sequel Effect, but also due to its weaker reviews. On the positive side, it matched the original’s B plus from CinemaScore, so that’s a good sign.

Internationally, It: Chapter Two was, for the most part, the second-biggest horror debut, behind only the first It. However, it did set that record in Russia with $2.1 million on on 3,215 screens on Thursday, while its running tally rose to $4.0 million including Friday. Likewise, it set the record for a horror opening in Italy with $1.6 million on 840 screens on Thursday and had $2.8 million at the end of business on Friday. It had the second-biggest opening day for a horror film in Germany with $1.1 million on 681 screens on Thursday, $1.5 million including previews, while it has managed $3.2 million in total, including Friday. The film also managed the second-best opening day for a horror film in the U.K. with $3.0 million on 1,998 screens on Friday, $3.6 million including previews. I could go on, but I think you get the point. The movie isn’t matching its predecessor, but it is still a monster hit in the making.

I’m tempted to not even mention the rest of the top five, as they are so far back. Angel Has Fallen managed $1.73 million, putting it on pace for just over $6 million over the full weekend. This is a little bit better than anticipated.

Good Boys was close behind with $1.57 million on Friday and is projected to earn $5.46 million over the weekend according to Universal.

Overcomer managed fourth place with $1.03 million, but it will slip to fifth place over the full weekend, with Sony projecting $3.55 million.

The Lion King was next with $990,000 on Friday, putting it on pace for between $4 million and $5 million.

- Friday Box Office Chart

Filed under: Friday Estimates, It, The Lion King, Good Boys, It: Chapter Two, Angel Has Fallen, Overcomer