LOS ANGELES (AP) — The horror film "Weapons" has made a strong impression at the box office, claiming the top spot in its debut weekend and maintaining its lead during its second weekend. The film successfully outperformed "Freakier Friday" and the newcomer "Nobody 2."
In its second weekend, "Weapons" grossed $25 million in 3,450 North American theaters, representing a 43% drop from its initial weekend earnings. The film has benefited from robust audience reviews and popular social media trends that have contributed to its ongoing draw.
"Freakier Friday," which had a double premiere alongside "Weapons," retained its second position by raking in $14.5 million domestically in its second weekend. The endurance of both films during a slower box office period was noted by Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore.
New entry "Nobody 2," the R-rated sequel starring Bob Odenkirk, opened to $9.25 million across 3,260 theaters in its debut weekend, placing third. The sequel follows Hutch Mansell, portrayed by Odenkirk, as he attempts to enjoy a family vacation that quickly spirals out of control as he encounters a corrupt town. Jim Orr, president of domestic distributions at Universal Pictures, expressed optimism about the film's positive reception, which features an 89% Audience score and a B+ CinemaScore, suggesting potential for a successful run at the box office.
Meanwhile, "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" secured the fourth position during its fourth weekend, bringing in $8.8 million domestically. The film has struggled after a promising initial debut of $118 million. Another sequel, "The Bad Guys 2," took the fifth spot, grossing $7.5 million during its third weekend in theaters.
Dergarabedian also pointed out that international films made a notable impact in the top 15 for the weekend. The Indian action thriller "Coolie" debuted and grabbed the tenth spot, while another Indian film, "War 2," followed closely in the eleventh position. The re-release of the Japanese film "Shin Godzilla," initially released in 2016, came in twelfth.
The top 10 movies by domestic box office, with final figures expected to be released on Monday, incorporates estimated ticket sales from Friday to Sunday in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
- 1. "Weapons," $25 million.
- 2. "Freakier Friday," $14.5 million.
- 3. "Nobody 2," $9.25 million.
- 4. "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," $8.8 million.
- 5. "The Bad Guys 2," $7.5 million.
- 6. "Superman," $5.3 million.
- 7. "The Naked Gun," $4.8 million.
- 8. "Jurassic World Rebirth," $2.9 million.
- 9. "F1: The Movie," $2.6 million.
- 10. "Coolie," $2.4 million.
Concluding the weekend’s box office report, it’s clear that both original and sequel films have managed to attract diverse audiences. While this summer may not hit the $4 billion milestone, it has provided an eclectic array of films appealing to various demographics, fostering a vibrant movie-going experience.
