Universal’sHalloween Endsis coming in softer-than-expected with an estimated $41.2 million three-day opening, which is below even the lowest projections that it had going into its debut weekend. The film made $13 million on Saturday, down from the $20.2 million that it picked up on Friday (including $5.4 million in Thursday previews). This sounds solid, relatively speaking, but not when you consider thatHalloween Endswas expected to make between $50 million and $55 million in its opening weekend.
A trio of factors could have affected its debut. A day-and-date release on the Peacock streaming service, a series-low C+ CinemaScore, and yet another strong performance by Paramount’s holdover hitSmileare all likely impactingHalloween Endsat the box office. By comparison, the first installment in directorDavid Gordon Green’s reboot trilogy — 2018’sHalloween— opened to $76.2 million, with an eventual $255 million global finish. The second entry in the reboot trilogy,Halloween Kills, made $49 million in its first weekend, and rounded out its theatrical run with $131 million worldwide.Halloween Killswas also released day-and-date on Peacock, which along with its mixed reviews could have been a major reason behind its 71% second-weekend drop.
A $41 million opening is still a win for a film budgeted at a reported $33 million (earlier reports pegged the price tag at $20 million). ButHalloween Endshad the all-important “final film” factor going for it, and a marketing game plan that focused on the long-awaited ultimate showdown between horror icons Laurie Strode and Michael Myers. Mostreviewsare calling it a missed opportunity. A slight silver-lining: Universal is saying that the film is the most-watched title across two days on Peacock. But studios might want to rethink the hybrid rollout strategy; Warner Bros. famously tasted dirt (and lostChristopher Nolan) after a similar fiasco last year.
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Finishing in second-place after two weekends at the top of the charts,Smileis expected to ease by just 35% in its third weekend. The film is looking at a $12 million third weekend, after over-performing yet again. It finished both its opening and sophomore weekends with higher-than-expected totals, and has now made an excellent $71 million stateside, against a reported budget of $17 million.
Sony’s kid-friendly live-action/animated hybridLyle, Lyle, Crocodilewill claim the third spot with an estimated $7.4 million second weekend, for a running domestic total of just over $22 million. There’s still a way to go before the film passes its reported $50 million budget, and Sony would’ve wanted the film to play more like itsPeter Rabbitmovies, which delivered a combined global gross of over $500 million.
DirectorGina Prince-Bythewood’s historical dramaThe Woman Kinghas now crossed the $60 million mark domestically, after an estimated $3.7 million fifth weekend. Produced on a reported budget of $50 million, the well-reviewed film has been quietly holding strong at the box office in anticipation of some awards season action in the next few weeks. Rounding out the top five this weekend is 20th Century Studios’ big-budget bombAmsterdam, which is looking at an estimated $2.9 million second weekend, for a running domestic total of around $12 million. The star-studded period caper from directorDavid O. Russellcost a handsome $80 million to produce, and isexpected to loseas much as $100 million for the studio, becoming one of the most notorious flops of the year.
Total business this weekend is estimated to be just under $80 million, which is down 27% from the same weekend last year, when bigger films such asNo Time to DieandVenom: Let There Be Carnagewere in play. You can watch our interview withHalloween Endsdirector Green below, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
