Based on box-office performance, it looks like theaters decided to take the week off for CinemaCon. With studios releasing a record low number of new films post-Covid, none wanted to face a week two against Disneys Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which opens May 5. Its opening could triple the gross of all titles this weekend.<\/p>\n
To be fair, thats a low bar to clear at $67 million the lowest for any April weekend in this century other than the past two Covid-affected ones. In terms of tickets sold (around 6 million), possibly the fewest for any weekend since the 1930s.<\/p>\n
Doctor Strange is expected to open to at least $150 million; $200 million is possible. Strong initial reaction to Paramounts Top Gun: Maverick, both at CinemaCon and in early press screenings, suggest May could provide a one-two punch to launch a strong summer.<\/p>\n
This weekend falls exactly three years after the late-April 2019 release of Avengers: Endgame and its record opening. By comparison, this weekend stands at 17 percent and reduces the ongoing four-week running comparison against 2019 to 68 percent. Silver lining: This weeks contrast is likely the worst we will ever see.<\/p>\n
RelatedRelated<\/p>\n
Open Road Films<\/p>\n
Memory (Open Road), the latest in the ever-declining returns for Liam Neesons genre titles, was the sole new wide release. Even lacking competition, it managed only #8 for $3.1 million. Ticket buyers favored holdovers, with the top seven titles repeating last weeks positions<\/p>\n
At #1 is The Bad Guys (Universal), leading two more family-oriented titles with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Paramount) and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (Warner Bros.) Sonic in particular is astounding at $161 million (and headed for close to $200 million); it has already surpassed the domestic hauls for No Time to Die and A Quiet Place, Part 2. That uptick clearly shows signs of theater comeback.<\/p>\n
A24 smartly booked IMAX theaters for Everything Everywhere All at Once before Marvel grabs them next week. The result, combined with terrific word of mouth, was a two percent increase in its gross that added $5.3 million. $50 million remains in sight, a staggering result for the most unlikely success of the year.<\/p>\n
Despite weekday signs of ongoing interest (it was the second biggest film for the four days), The Northman (Focus) stayed at #4. It fell 49 percent, normal for a second weekend. It should end up somewhere between $30 million-$35 million and could be a strong draw for home play.<\/p>\n
Nicolas Cages The Unbearable Weight of Awesome Talent (Lionsgate) held to fifth place, off 45 percent with $3.9 million. Its home life will be similarly boosted by theatrical play.<\/p>\n
Everything, Northman, and Unbearable are all offbeat, specialized-oriented original titles that found response in wide release. Specialized titles in limited play continue to struggle but showed some signs of life.<\/p>\n
screenshot<\/p>\n
Vortex (Utopia), Gaspar Nos tale of an elderly couple with dementia starring horror maestro Dario Argento, scored an impressive $17,000 at New Yorks IFC Center. It holds hope for future good returns from more rarefied arthouses.<\/p>\n
Rialto reissued Jean-Jacques Beneixs 1981 Diva to a decent $9,300, also in New York. Two niche documentaries Hello, Bookstore (Greenwich) and Fiddlers Journey to the Big Screen (Zeitgeist) each grossed around $6,000 in similar dates. All will benefit from prime theaters hungry for fresh titles.<\/p>\n
Roger Michells The Duke (Sony Pictures Classics), a prime candidate for older audiences, quickly widened its second week to 57 theaters to $122,000. The hope is word of mouth can kickstart it for an improved longer run.<\/p>\n
Neon didnt report the second weekend of Celine Sciammas Petite Maman. Sources indicate it grossed a similar amount in 31 theaters for a better per-theater result.<\/p>\n
The Top Ten<\/p>\n
1. The Bad Guys(Universal) Week 2; Last weekend #1<\/p>\n
$16,100,000 (-%) in 4,042 (+34) theaters; PTA: $; Cumulative: $44,440,000<\/p>\n
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2(Paramount) Week 4; Last weekend #2<\/p>\n
$11,351,000 (-27%) in 3,801 (-8) theaters; PTA: $2,986; Cumulative: $160,926,000<\/p>\n
3. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore(Warner Bros.) Week 3; Last weekend #3<\/p>\n
$8,300,000 (-41%) in 3,962 (-283) theaters; PTA: $2,095; Cumulative: $79,553,000<\/p>\n
4. The Northman(Focus) Week 2; Last weekend #4<\/p>\n
$6,130,000 (-49%) in 3,234 (+50) theaters; PTA: $1,895; Cumulative: $22,806,000<\/p>\n
5. Everything Everywhere All at Once(A24) Week 2; Last weekend #5<\/p>\n
$5,543,000 (+2%) in 2,213 (+80) theaters; PTA: $2,505; Cumulative: $35,492,000<\/p>\n
6. The Unbearable Weight of Awesome Talent(Lionsgate) Week 2; Last weekend #6<\/p>\n
$3,925,000 (-45%) in 3,036 (no change) theaters; PTA: $1,293; Cumulative: $13,504,000<\/p>\n
7. The Lost City(Paramount) Week 6; Last weekend #7<\/p>\n
$3,900,000 (-10%) in 2,595 (-33) theaters; PTA: $1,503; Cumulative: $90,785,000<\/p>\n
8. Memory(Open Road) NEW Cinemascore:; Metacritic: 41; Est. budget: $<\/p>\n
$3,100,000 in 2,555 theaters; PTA: $1,213; Cumulative: $3,100,000<\/p>\n
9. Father Stu (Sony) Week 3; Last weekend #8<\/p>\n
$2,210,000 (-34%) in 2,476 (-229) theaters; PTA: $893; Cumulative: $17,554,000<\/p>\n
10. Morbius(Sony) Week; Last weekend #9<\/p>\n
$1,500,000 (-35%) in 1,726 (-580) theaters: PTA: $869; Cumulative: $71,457,000<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Additional specialized\/limited\/independent releases<\/p>\n
Vortex(Utopia) NEW Metacritic: 80; Festivals include: Cannes, New York 2021<\/p>\n
$17,057 in 1 theaters; PTA: $17,057<\/p>\n
Hatching(IFC) NEW Metacritic: 74; Festivals include: Sundance 2022<\/p>\n
$140,000 in 186 theaters; PTA: $753<\/p>\n
Firebird(Roadside Attractions) NEW Metacritic: 53; Festivals include: Frameline 2021<\/p>\n
$55,310 in 90 theaters; PTA: $615<\/p>\n
Hello, Bookstore(Greenwich) NEW<\/p>\n
$6,000 in 1 theater; PTA: $6,000<\/p>\n
Fiddlers Journey to the Big Screen(Zeitgeist) NEW Festivals include: Miami Jewish 2022<\/p>\n
$6,218 in 1 theater; PTA: $6,218<\/p>\n
Diva(Rialto) REISSUE<\/p>\n
$9,300 in 1 theater; PTA: $9,300<\/p>\n
Acharya (Prime) NEW<\/p>\n
$(est.) 1,100,000 in 396 theaters; PTA: $(est.) 2,777<\/p>\n
Petit Maman(Neon) Week 2<\/p>\n
$ (est). 120,000 in 31 (+27) theaters; PTA: $3,871; Cumulative: (est.) $175,000<\/p>\n
The Duke(Sony Pictures Classics) Week 2<\/p>\n
$122,607 in 57 theaters; PTA: $2,151<\/p>\n
Were All Going to the Worlds Fair (Utopia) Week 3; also on PVOD<\/p>\n
$13,036 in 26 (-10) theaters; Cumulative: $74,875<\/p>\n
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Theaters Will Be Back with Doctor Strange, but This Weekend Box Office Hits an All-Time April Low - IndieWire<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Based on box-office performance, it looks like theaters decided to take the week off for CinemaCon. With studios releasing a record low number of new films post-Covid, none wanted to face a week two against Disneys Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which opens May 5. Its opening could triple the gross of all titles this weekend Continue reading