Summer’s finale is getting underway with four wide releases — Sony’s Darren Aronofsky directed comedy caper Caught Stealing, Searchlight’s remake of War of the Roses, entitled The Roses, Universal’s 50th anniversary re-release of Jaws and Iconic Events’ reboot of The Toxic Avenger. None are expected at this point to topple New Line’s Weapons which will pop back up to No. 1 after Netflix’s theatrical flirt with last weekend’s box office; that Zach Cregger directed movie eyeing a fourth weekend of $11M-$12M over 4-days.
Caught Stealing did $1.2M in both 4PM Thursday previews and last weekend’s sneaks. The Austin Butler and Zoe Kravitz starring movie is expected to do north of $10M+ in four days at 3,578 sites. That preview figure is on par with such movies as House of Gucci ($1.3M which did a 3-day over Thanksgiving during post Covid 2021 of $14.4M) and August pre-Covid 2016’s War Dogs ($1.25M previews, for a $14.6M opening). The Aronofsky directed title cost $40 million net after New York City film tax incentives. Great reviews and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes respectively with 87% and 86%. Wouldn’t be shocked if it steals No. 1.
Universal’s 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is expected to do $5M over the Friday to Monday period at 3,200 sites including PLFs and Imax. The shark bit $950K in previews last night, I hear.
The Roses grossed $800K in total previews box office, including limited early access shows on Wednesday. The Jay Roach directed, Tony McNamara adapted redo of the Warren Adler novel, which was also the source material for the 1989 Danny Devito directed movie/David Mamet scripted movie, is looking at $7M-$8M over 4-days. It’s booked at 2,700 locations. The Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman starring title has bad reviews at 63% and a ho-hum audience score of 76%. Comps here for this title aimed at upscale older audiences are Black Bag at $850K which did a $7.6M opening and The Menu which posted $1M previews before a $9M opening.
We’re waiting on Toxic Avenger‘s numbers…
Rest of week’s top 5:
1.) Weapons (NL/WB) 3,631 theaters, Thu $1.3M (-8% from Wed), Week $21.9M (-40%), Total $122.8M/Wk 3
2.) Kpop Demon Hunters Singalong (Netflix) No weekday play, 2-day box office $19M/Wk 1
3.) Freakier Friday (Dis) 3,675 theaters, Thu $755k (-3%), Wk $12.6M (-40%), Total $73.9M/Wk 3
4.) Fantastic Four: First Steps (Dis) 3,190 theaters, Thu $546K (+3%), Wk $8.5M (-35%), $259.8M/Wk 5
5.) The Bad Guys 2 (Uni) 3,288 theaters, Thu $466K (+6%), Wk $7.2M (-36%), Total $68.3M/Wk 4