As studios prepare for another exciting weekend at the box office, the competition for the number one position is heating up. Sony’s “Venom: The Last Dance” enters its third week of release with forecasts suggesting it may earn around $12 million. However, a strong contender looms: A24’s “Heretic,” a horror film directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods that features Hugh Grant. According to projections, “Heretic” could gross $8 million from approximately 3,200 screens. Although this may not seem significant, there’s a buzz around this film, especially given its positive reception at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and its 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film pivots on an intriguing premise, focusing on two young Mormon missionaries whose faith faces a terrifying test upon encountering a sinister character played by Grant. As many horror films do, “Heretic” aims to tap into the psychological fear of the unknown and the surreal, positioning itself to attract younger audiences aged 18-34. The excitement around its opening is palpable, necessitating a close watch on its performance as screenings commence Thursday night.
“Venom: The Last Dance,” featuring Tom Hardy in the titular role, continues to be a financial success, with box office numbers comfortably hovering around the $95.3 million mark as of Tuesday. Its strong performance on what is often a slow day — Election Day — where it accrued $3.3 million, showcases its sustained audience interest. This represents a remarkable 56% increase from the previous Monday, indicating that word of mouth and audience engagement remain favorable. Anticipation mounts as experts predict the film will surpass the $100 million milestone by Friday.
This success is attributed to a solid blend of action and humor, appealing to the comic book fanbase while also drawing in a wider audience. Given current trends in the box office, films that can balance genres and foster strong character development tend to thrive longer in theaters, and “Venom 3” appears to embody this strategy effectively.
This weekend also welcomes Lionsgate’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” adapted from Barbara Robinson’s beloved children’s book. Directed by Dallas Jenkins, the family-friendly film is projected to make between $6 million and $8 million from about 3,000 theaters, although insiders suggest a debut surpassing $10 million is within reach. The film’s early screenings garnered impressive audience ratings, achieving a 92% fresh score among critics while impressing viewers with a flawless 100% rating.
The movie tells the comedic tale of the Herdman family, notoriously known as the “worst kids in the history of the world.” Utilizing holiday themes, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” seeks to capture the hearts of families looking for festive entertainment amidst a competitive offering. Given its warm reception, it could easily gain momentum as the holiday season approaches.
Besides these major titles, other films hit theaters this weekend as well. “Elevation,” a science fiction movie directed by George Nolfi, is arriving at 1,416 venues, alongside concert film “Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration” at 1,200 theaters. Internationally, “Weekend in Taipei,” which stars Luke Evans and features a script co-written by Luc Besson, is set to reach 1,021 locations, illustrating studios’ continued inclination toward genre diversity.
Meanwhile, “Anora,” a film that has already garnered accolades, is experiencing expansion from 253 screens to a promising 1,100 in its fourth weekend, showcasing its unexpected success in the current film landscape. As an award-winning narrative, its compelling story and critical acclaim could steer late traffic in its favor.
As the box office battle shapes up, anticipation is building for Amazon MGM Studios’ big-budget Christmas action movie, “Red One,” featuring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, which is expected to bring in $25 million to $30 million abroad during its opening weekend. With a U.S. debut slated for November 15, this film aims for a robust start and could redefine box office projections as it combines star power with seasonal themes.
With such a variety of offerings this weekend, audiences will be the ultimate arbiters of success, leading to thrilling results as viewers cast their votes at the box office.