Theater counts: Downton Abbey and Men arrive in North America, but Doctor Strange remains widest release

May 19, 2022

For the third consecutive week, Doctor-Strange in the Multiverse of Madness stands perched atop our theater count chart. After compiling over $715 million worldwide since its release in early May, the film keeps its opening location count of 4,534 heading into week three, while two new wide releases appear this week: Focus Features’ Downton Abbey: A New Era and A24’s Men.

The follow-up to 2019’s Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey: A New Era was released in the United Kingdom on April 29th and has garnered nearly $30 million overseas since its release. The film is set one year after its predecessor is once again written by Julian Fellowes, but does find a new director in Simon Curtis. The historical drama returns a large original lead ensemble cast, while also taking on an abundance of newcomers, including Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock and Nathalie Baye among others. The long awaited sequel arrives domestically this week in 3,817 theaters. After its recent surprise hit with Everything Everywhere All At Once, A24 Films is back this week with their latest feature in Men. The psychological horror film starring Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear is set to open in a projected 2,500 locations. Rounding out the top five this week is The Bad Guys at 3,699 locations, last week’s newcomer Firestarter adding one location this week for 3,413 cinemas, and lastly, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 coming in at 2,943 movie houses.

New in limited release this week is the political documentary, 2000 Mules launches in 415 theaters. Also opening this week is another documentary in Hold Your Fire. The latest from IFC Films which opens in 14 locations looks back on events in 1973 that sparked the longest hostage siege in NYPD history. Lastly, opening in two locations this week is the Italian sci-fi-thriller, Mondocane.

Looking ahead to next week we see arrival of the long-awaited sequel to the 80s blockbuster hit, Top Gun when Top Gun: Maverick flies into theaters. Starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in one of the roles that made him a superstar, Top Gun: Maverick is set to open in about 4,500 theaters according to Paramount Pictures. Also opening wide next week is The Bob’s Burgers Movie, which is expected to debut in a projected 3,300 locations.

Note: The theater counts for Everything Everywhere All at Once and Men are estimates from Box Office Pro.

Theater Counts for May 20

Estimates for May 27

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Downton Abbey, Top Gun, Doctor Strange, Tom Cruise, Hugh Dancy, Simon Curtis, Dinesh D'Souza, Laura Haddock, Rory Kinnear, Nathalie Baye, Simon Fellows, Jessie Buckley