Theater counts: Elvis and The Black Phone debut but Lightyear will be the widest release

June 23, 2022

While it has taken a back seat to both Top Gun: Maverick and Jurassic World: Dominion this week at the box office, Lightyear will become the widest release this weeked, albeit due Dominion dropping 400+ locations. While the Toy Story spinoff didn’t exactly hold up to the majority of expectations, the film has still garnered over $67 million in domestic revenue as of Wednesday. Pixar’s Lightyear keeps its opening count of 4,255 theaters as it heads into its sophomore outing.

This week we see two new wide releases make their theatrical appearance in Elvis and The Black Phone. The former, which is helmed by Baz Luhrmann, explores the life and music of Elvis Presley seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The story spans over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Elvis, which releases in 3,906 theaters this week, stars Austin Butler as the musical icon himself, while Tom Hanks plays Parker.

The latest from Universal Pictures in the 1970s-set horror pic The Black Phone. Ethan Hawke plays a sadistic killer known as “The Grabber” who kidnaps a 13-year old boy and locks him in a soundproof basement with a disconnected phone. The Blumhouse productions movie will debut in 3,150 locations to kick off its theatrical run. Rounding out the top five this week is the aforementioned current box office champ, Jurassic World: Dominion, sliding into second with 4,230 theaters, and lastly, Maverick in 3,948 locations.

Once again there is a wide selection of limited releases this week. Opening in 19 locations is Flux Gourmet, starring Asa Butterfield and Gwendoline Christie. Also arriving to theaters this week is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, starring Jenny Slate as Marcel, an adorable one-inch-tall shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother. Lastly, Rialto Pictures is releasing a 4K restoration of the 1972 French film The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie at the Film Forum in New York City.

Looking ahead to next week we will once again see two wide releases debut by way of Minions: The Rise of Gru and Mr. Malcolm’s List.

Note: The theater count for Everything Everywhere All at Once is an estimate from Box Office Pro.

Theater Counts for June 24

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts, Jurassic Park, Despicable Me, Top Gun, Tom Hanks, Ethan Hawke, Asa Butterfield, Baz Luhrmann, Jenny Slate, Gwendoline Christie, Austin Butler