Emily Garbutt
Updated on: October 11, 2024 12:17 pm GMT
Warner Bros’ ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is proving to be a box office sensation as it confidently secures its position in cinemas, achieving over $50 million on its second weekend. This surge is notable as it represents the first instance since pre-COVID-19 in 2019 that the entire weekend box office has crossed $100 million. Meanwhile, competition in the market tightens with several new releases making their mark.
Box Office Performance Highlights
According to recent reports, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ secured an impressive $14.4 million on its second Friday alone, bringing its total earnings for the weekend to a projected $50 million. The film’s success is emphasized by a remarkable 61% increase in box office revenue compared to the same weekend last year, which was significantly affected by the actors’ strikes that limited promotional efforts.
This weekend’s figures echo the robust performance of the 2019 box office, which grossed $110.8 million during this frame, partly driven by the momentum of New Line’s ‘It: Chapter Two.’ As the fall movie season gathers pace, industry experts are optimistic about further boosts from various upcoming releases.
Sneaking into Success: ‘Speak No Evil’
Blumhouse’s ‘Speak No Evil’ is another highlight of the weekend, exceeding forecast expectations with a total of $12.3 million after a Friday haul of $4.9 million including previews. This film, rooted in a dialogue-driven narrative with a unique UK countryside backdrop, is based on the 2022 Danish horror film ‘Gæsterne.’ Notably, the film received a CinemaScore rating of B+, relatively high for the horror genre, indicating positive audience reception.
Audience Demographics
- Gender Breakdown: 51% female.
- Age Distribution: 38% of viewers were over 35.
- Diversity Demographics: 37% Caucasian, 31% Latino and Hispanic, 16% Black, 10% Asian American.
The film’s best-performing regions include South Central and the West, with AMC Burbank leading as its top-grossing venue, bringing in around $19,000 so far.
Documentary Delivers: ‘Am I Racist?’
Making a noteworthy debut is the documentary ’Am I Racist?’ from SDG Releasing and Daily Wire. The film grossed approximately $4.7 million across 1,517 sites after earning about $1.96 million on Friday. Audience ratings have been strong, capturing an A Cinemascore and receiving five stars on PostTrak.
Audience Insights
- Gender Breakdown: 56% of viewers were male.
- Age Distribution: 59% of attendees were over 35, with the largest demographic aged 25-34 at 28%.
- Diversity Demographics: 64% Caucasian, 19% Latino and Hispanic, 6% Black, 4% Asian American.
- Political Leanings: 52% identified as conservative, while 43% identified as Republican.
Promotional strategies have tied the film to ongoing political discussions, notably with content associated with Walsh appearing around recent presidential debates.
Challenges for New Releases
The landscape is not without its setbacks, as evidenced by Lionsgate’s ‘The Killer’s Game,’ which is poised to open with earnings between $2.5 million and $3 million. This disappointing figure has led to predictions that it could become the lowest opening for actor Dave Bautista’s career. The film, which follows a hitman with a life-threatening disease who puts a hit on himself, garnered a CinemaScore of B+, though audience feedback on PostTrak indicated a more lukewarm reception, with only 45% recommending it.
Marketing and Release Strategy
Lionsgate’s struggles with ‘The Killer’s Game’ highlight potential issues within the company’s marketing strategies and the film’s awareness leading up to its release. According to tracking data, general awareness for the film was noted to be below 30%, making a strong opening increasingly unlikely.
Audience Insights
- Gender Breakdown: 64% of viewers were male.
- Age Distribution: Nearly half of the audience was over 35, with 25-34-year-olds comprising the largest segment at 28%.
- Diversity Demographics: 41% Caucasian, 21% Latino and Hispanic, 15% Black, 14% Asian American, and 9% Native American/Other.
The film performed better on the coasts, with Regal Celebration Point in Florida as the best venue so far. However, the overall poor reception could signal greater concerns for the company moving forward.
Industry Outlook
The overall landscape of the box office this weekend indicates a gradual recovery in the cinema industry as more viewers return to theaters. While ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ and ‘Speak No Evil’ demonstrate successful strategies and audience appeal, other releases highlight the important role of marketing in connecting with target demographics. Moving forward, studios like Lionsgate face increasing scrutiny as they navigate a competitive environment and seek to build successful film franchises while managing audience expectations.
As the fall movie season moves forward, everyone will be excited about the new movies coming out. These films are hoping to take advantage of more people going back to theaters as the movie industry gets back on its feet after the pandemic.
