Theater counts: Venom and Addams Family 2 both debut in over 4,200 theaters this weekend

September 30, 2021

A vital month for the theatrical business kicks off tomorrow with the release of Venom: Let There Be Carnage and The Addams Family 2. Theater owners are doing their part by booking the films into over 4,200 locations each. Venom will be the widest of the two, playing in 4,225 movie houses, while Addams Family 2 is only fractionally behind, with 4,207. Only Jungle Cruise (4,310 theaters) and Shang-Chi (4,300) have opened wider this year. This is in fact the first time in industry history that two films have opened in more than 4,200 theaters, and only the second time that two films have opened in more than 4,000 theaters on the same weekend.

The previous time two films debuted in over 4,000 theaters was the weekend of September 22, 2017, when Kingsman: The Golden Circle and The Lego Ninjago Movie both did so. The similarity in timing (late September and October 1) and genres (action and family) between that occurrence and this one is not coincidence. With relatively few films playing strongly in theaters, exhibitors are keen to put new content on screen, and an action movie and a family movie will have very little overlap in their audiences. Hopefully these new releases can thrive and kick start a revival at the box office.

Also opening wide tomorrow is The Many Saints of Newark. In keeping with their recent tradition, Warner Bros. is releasing the film simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max, and hasn’t reported a theater count ahead of the weekend. We’ll post an estimated figure as soon as we see something reliable. The Jesus Magic, which was originally announced as a wide release, will debut in 249 locations through Lionsgate, and IFC Films has Falling for Figaro arriving in 44 theaters.

Looking ahead to next weekend, United Artists have announced that No Time to Die will play in at least 4,000 theaters.

Note: Warner Bros. theater counts are not yet known.

Theater Counts for October 1 – 3

Estimates for October 8

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts