Box Office Battle: “Weapons” Tops “Freakier Friday”
In the ongoing box office face-off, “Weapons” is leading against “Freakier Friday,” with both films making a strong debut as the summer season approaches its conclusion.
“Weapons” Opening Weekend Performance
Debuting at the top, Warner Bros. and New Line’s “Weapons” has garnered $18.2 million from 3,202 locations including Imax and premium formats. Some screenings commenced on Thursday at 2:17 PM to coincide with a pivotal moment in the plot where children mysteriously vanish. The film features an ensemble cast, including Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Amy Madigan.
Surpassing Expectations
The horror film is now expected to exceed initial projections that capped at around $30 million. This strong kickoff is promising for the R-rated original, produced on a budget of $38 million. It marks a significant improvement from writer-director Zach Cregger’s previous film, the budget-friendly “Barbarian,” which started at $10 million but eventually reached $40 million with positive word of mouth.
Critical Reception and Audience Grades
New Line’s confidence in acquiring “Weapons” has paid off, marking another box office success for Warner Bros. The film has been well-received by critics and earned an “A-” from CinemaScore, which is noteworthy as horror films typically receive lower ratings. Like with “Barbarian,” Cregger appears to have crafted a film that will resonate with audiences in the weeks to come.
“Freakier Friday” Strong Start
In second place, Disney’s “Freakier Friday” has also kicked off well, grossing $12.7 million from 3,975 locations. While “Weapons” takes the Imax screens, “Freakier” occupies other premium formats. This comedy sequel revives the beloved 2003 film and reunites Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. It is on track to surpass its pre-weekend forecast of $27 million to $30 million.
Other Box Office Performers
Following in third place, Disney’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” earned an additional $4.5 million on Friday, indicating a steep drop of 62% from its previous week’s total. The superhero film is likely to reach a total of $229 million by Sunday, solidifying its position as the seventh-biggest domestic release of the year, but continuing the trend of lower earnings for Marvel films.
New Releases and Trends
In fourth place, Universal’s “The Bad Guys 2” added $3 million, on track for a $10.7 million weekend, down 51% from its debut. Meanwhile, the newly released fantasy comedy “Sketch” by Angel Studios has so far earned $3.2 million and is expected to rank tenth this weekend, following its debut at the Toronto Film Festival last year.
