Two highly anticipated films hit theaters with disappointing previews this past Thursday. The Zoë Kravitz-directed thriller, Blink Twice, and Lionsgate/Edward R. Pressman’s The Crow only managed to bring in $820K and $650K in previews, respectively. Unfortunately, these low numbers are not expected to result in successful openings for either film.
One would have expected more from Amazon MGM Studios’ $20M production, Blink Twice, especially with big-name star Channing Tatum and a solid 78% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, despite the critical acclaim, the film only received three stars from PostTrak audiences on its opening night, with a mere 50% definite recommendation. The disappointing audience response raises concerns about the film’s potential for success in the coming weeks.
On a brighter note, Sony Affirm’s faith-based film, The Forge, received a stellar five-star rating from moviegoers and an 88% definite recommendation. Despite its lower budget of $5M, the film managed to attract significant attention, with audiences spending $600K on Thursday night showings alone. The Forge may not reach the same heights as the Kendrick Brothers’ past successes, but it is definitely a standout for the weekend.
This weekend’s box office battle seems to be between two Disney offerings: Alien: Romulus and Deadpool & Wolverine. Although both films are expected to perform well, Alien: Romulus appears to have the edge over its competitor, with a projected $18M versus $17M opening. Alien: Romulus has already amassed $56.3M from 3,885 locations, showing promise for a successful theatrical run.
Mixed Results for Alien: Romulus
While Alien: Romulus has had a strong start, its performance is a mixed bag compared to previous films in the franchise. The Fede Alvarez-directed space horror film is currently ahead of the 2017 release, Alien: Covenant, by 20% but lagging behind the highest-grossing installment, 2012’s Prometheus, by 18%. With a solid box office showing so far, Alien: Romulus is expected to continue its successful run in the coming weeks.
Competing Titans
It Ends with Us from Sony and Wayfarer Studios is also holding its own in the box office race, ending its second week with $35.2M in earnings. However, it is still trailing behind last summer’s blockbuster hit, Barbie, which topped out at $636.2M domestically. With fierce competition from other major releases, It Ends with Us faces an uphill battle to maintain its momentum.
Fathom Events’ Coraline 15th-anniversary screening proved to be a surprise success, grossing $1.3M on its opening night and accumulating a total of $19.1M from 1,535 locations. The film’s cumulative earnings of $101.4M solidify its status as a cult classic, proving that there is still a market for beloved films even years after their initial release.
The weekend box office paints a varied picture of success and disappointment. While some films, like The Forge and Alien: Romulus, show promise for continued box office dominance, others, such as Blink Twice and The Crow, are struggling to find their footing with audiences. As the weekend progresses, it will be interesting to see which films emerge as the true box office champions.