Cineverse’s Terrifier 3 is projected to lead the box office this weekend, earning approximately $7.7 million on Friday and possibly surpassing $15 million over three days across 2,514 theaters. The film’s strong performance could demonstrate the appeal of smaller films in a box office landscape often dominated by larger studio productions. Its marketing strategy has primarily targeted its dedicated fanbase, resulting in a social media reach of 80 million across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, though not as extensive as competitors like Saw X, which had a reach of 134 million.
At the second position, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot is expected to bring in about $3.6 million on Friday, leading to a total of $13.1 million for its third weekend, reflecting a decline of 31% and a total box office of $83.3 million.
Warner Bros’ Joker: Folie à Deux occupies the third spot with an anticipated Friday gross of $2.8 million, which may push its weekend total to between $8 million and $9 million, marking a 77% drop from its previous weekend. It’s crucial to wait for Saturday’s figures before making definitive assessments, but estimates suggest a total of $53.5 million by the end of the weekend, as the film continues to dominate IMAX screens.
Following this, Warner Bros’ Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is expected to earn approximately $1.8 million on Friday, resulting in a three-day total of around $6.7 million and bringing its cumulative total to approximately $275.2 million.
Next in line, Paramount’s Transformers One is projected to earn $1 million on Friday, leading to a three-day total of $4.1 million, summing up to $53.3 million overall.
Unfortunately, other widely released films aiming for critical acclaim and awards recognition are struggling. Sony’s Saturday Night is forecasted to take in $1.55 million on Friday, totaling around $4 million for the weekend, while Focus Features’ Piece by Piece is estimated to earn $1.25 million on Friday, amounting to $3 million for the weekend. Briarcliff Entertainment’s The Apprentice is anticipated to perform the worst, with Friday earnings around $500,000 and total weekend revenues estimated between $1.3 million and $1.5 million. This scenario highlights a broader issue regarding the immediate appeal of smaller films to audiences who are more discerning in a streaming-dominated market.
In Thursday previews, Terrifier 3 grossed $2.6 million, sparking speculation that it could dethrone Joker: Folie à Deux from the top of the box office with expectations exceeding $11 million for the weekend. Its success hinges on whether the film can attract a larger audience beyond its core fanbase, which includes streaming subscribers and followers of horror content.
Cineverse’s CEO, Chris McGurk, expressed excitement over the early box office performance, deeming it a testament to the horror genre’s dedicated audience. The early figures echo similar ticket sales from past horror hits, suggesting a competitive landscape ahead.
In additional Thursday preview performances, Focus Features’ documentary, Piece by Piece, about Pharrell Williams, grossed $450,000 across 1,500 theaters, while Sony’s Saturday Night collected $370,000 from its earlier previews. Early reviews for both films are positive, indicating a favorable reception among viewers.
On the other hand, Briarcliff’s The Apprentice had a disappointing start with $150,000 from preview showings, despite positive critical feedback. The film’s broader reception remains uncertain amidst its controversial subject matter.