Theater counts: The Equalizer 3 charges into 3,965 theaters

August 31, 2023

It will be one week and done for Blue Beetle as the widest release as this weekend’s only new wide release makes its way into theaters and to the top of the list in the form of the third installment of The Equalizer franchise. While Blue Beetle pulled in a solid $12 million in its second weekend, it was stymied by newcomer Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story, along with the continued success of worldwide phenom, Barbie, which took the first and second place prize respectively at the box office.

Launching in 3,965 cinemas, The Equalizer 3 brings back Denzel Washington as ex-government assassin, Robert McCall, who since giving up his work and moving to Italy finds himself taking on the mafia in order to protect his friends. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua and reunites Washington’s Man on Fire co-star, Dakota Fanning. The first chapter went on to score $34 million from 3,236 locations in its opening weekend, while the second installment earned $36 million from 3,388 theaters from its debut weekend four years later.

While The Equalizer 3 is the only true new wide release arriving to North American cinemas this week, MGM’s high school sex comedy, Bottoms is expanding into 715 venues this week. The film opened in 10 select cities last weekend and took in an excellent $461,052. The Emma Seligman-directed film follows two girls who set up a fight club to hook up with cheerleaders before graduation.

Rounding out the top five this week is last week’s newcomer, and weekend box office champ, Gran Turismo, holding its previous count of 3,856 theaters. Next is $1.34 billion-worldwide earner Barbie, available in 3,586 movie houses. Occupying the fourth-place slot is the aforementioned Blue Beetle, dropping 555 locations for a total of 3,316 cinemas. Lastly, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will be accessible in 2,955 theaters.

We see two new wide releases making their theatrical debuts next week in the form of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, and The Nun II. The third installment of the popular romantic comedy series is expected to turn up in about 3,200 locations, while the second feature in The Nun franchise looks to land in approximately 3,600 North American cinemas.

Theater Counts for September 1

Estimates for September 8

Filed under: Theater Counts, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Equalizer, DC Extended Universe, The Nun, Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Antoine Fuqua, Emma Seligman