Behind the US/Worldwide Weekend Box Office – 9.1.2019

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OPENINGS:  Labor Day weekend is traditionally Hollywood’s graveyard, and no major studio touched the holiday with a fresh arrival.  DON’T LET GO (Blumhouse Tilt/OTL) tried to take advantage of the quiet, with a $2.4M start in 922 theatres, which should go to $3M with Monday.  Even considering its very low production/marketing budget, this will probably end up as a loss.

BENNETT’S WAR (Forrest) was even worse with $450K in 970 ($600K with Monday), likely a wipeout

HOLDOVERS:  As usual, the absence of meaningful newcomers was good news for holdovers.  ANGEL HAS FALLEN (Millenium/Lionsgate) dipped 46% to $11.6M ($14.5M with Monday), and could reach $65M in the US, which would be slightly better than the $62.5M for London Has Fallen, a testament to the importance of choosing the right release date.  Overseas, Angel is at $28.7M after a $12.8 weekend in 44 markets, and has a long road before it can think of matching London‘s $143.2M.

GOOD BOYS (Good Universe/Universal) lost just 21% to $9.2M in its 3rd weekend ($11.6M with Monday), and is on track for a US total that could get as high as $70M.  It’s finding less enthusiasm overseas, where it’s at $11.7M after a $2.7M weekend in 27 markets.

THE LION KING (Disney) was down a mere 17% in its 7th weekend to $6.7M ($9.2M with Monday), on its way to $540M in the US.  It’s at $1.04B overseas after a $20.6M weekend.  At $1.6B worldwide, it will be the #7 title of all time.

HOBBS & SHAW (Universal) slipped 22% in its 5th weekend to $6.3M ($8M with Monday), and should end up with $170M in the US, #5 in the Fast & the Furious universe.  It’s much bigger overseas, with $525.3M after a $39.1M weekend in all major markets.  It has a chance of matching Fast & Furious 6‘s worldwide $788.7M, which would make it #3 in the franchise.

OVERCOMER (Affirm/Sony) dropped 30% in its 2nd weekend to $5.7M ($7.9M with Monday).  At $30M, it would be a bit below the $34.5M for Courageous and the $33.5M for Fireproof.  It hasn’t yet opened overseas.

READY OR NOT (Fox Searchlight/Disney) held very well for a horror movie, down 30% to $5.6M ($6.7M with Monday), and could reach a solid $30M+.  No overseas openings yet.

SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK (CBS/Lionsgate) was impressively down a tiny 15% to $5M in its 4th weekend ($6.2M with Monday) and should reach $70M in the US.  Overseas, it’s at a more moderate $26.7M after a $2.5M weekend in 59 markets.

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME (Columbia/Sony) added 4 minutes of footage and jumped back to 3162 theatres for a $4.3M weekend ($5.5M with Monday), as it heads toward $390M+ in the US.  Overseas, it’s at $736.2M.

DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD (Nickelodeon/Paramount) shed 22% to $4.1M in its 4th weekend ($5.6M with Monday), and could get to $60M in the US.  That will still leave it far from breakeven, and overseas it’s at $24.1M after a $4.4M weekend in 33 territories.

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2 (Sony Animation) dropped 36% in its 4th weekend to $4.1M ($5.4M with Monday), but may not reach $45M in the US.  It’s at $58.5M overseas after a $5.5M weekend in 48 markets.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (Columbia/Sony) slimmed down by 19% in its 6th weekend to $4M ($5.2M with Monday), on its way to $140M in the US.  Overseas, it’s hit $152.7M after a $21.6M weekend in 60 territories.

THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON (Roadside) increased its theatre count by 25% and bumped up 2% for the weekend to $2.9M ($3.8M with Monday), and will hope to get past $15M in the US.

MIDSOMMAR (A24) also added new footage and more theatres for a nevertheless low-key $650K weekend ($800K with Monday).

LIMITED RELEASE:  OFFICIAL SECRETS (IFC) had a mild opening at 4 theatres with a $20K per-theatre average over the 3-day weekend.  TOD@S CAEN (Pantelion/Lionsgate) opened much wider at 371 for a $1.1M weekend ($1.4 with Monday), averaging $2900 over the 3-day weekend.  BEFORE YOU KNOW IT (1091) opened with a $9K average at 3.  AFTER THE WEDDING (Sony Classics) expanded to 426 theatres with a slim $1K per-theatre average.  BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON (Amazon) widened to 49 with a $8500 average.  LUCE (Neon) grew into 235 theatres with a $1200 average.  FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES (Roadside) averaged $2600 at 28.  THE NIGHTINGALE (IFC) couldn’t crack an $800 average at 75.  AQUARELA (Sony Classics) had a $1200 average at 35.  GIVE ME LIBERTY (Music Box) averaged $3800 at 9.

NEXT WEEKEND:  The fall movie season will roar in with IT CHAPTER TWO (New Line/Warners), whose only competition will be the $123.4M opening of its predecessor.  Limited releases include MS PURPLE (Oscilloscope).