Subdued Box Office Performance in the Absence of ‘Dune: Part Two’

The latest weekend box office turnout in North America was notably subdued, a situation largely attributed to the missing anticipated release of “Dune: Part Two.”

Audiences were presented with various alternative cinematic offerings. Holding its top position was the cinematic rendition of the video game “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” while “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” concert film maintained its strong performance. The nationwide expansion of Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and the IMAX re-engagement of “Oppenheimer” were also notable. The openings of several critically acclaimed independent films added to the roster as well.

The expected debut of “Dune: Part Two” from Warner Bros. and Legendary was notably absent due to its postponement to March 2024. This delay was the result of the SAG-AFTRA strike which led studios to reschedule their releases in anticipation of prolonged disputes, preventing stars from their usual promotional tours. Consequently, the November 3 slot previously held for the “Dune” sequel, starring notables like Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, remained unfilled by any major blockbuster releases.

Despite the continued draw from “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and high-brow films such as Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” the box office is projected to gross around $64 million for the weekend, marking it as one of the least lucrative weekends of the year.

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“The marketplace has been significantly affected by the strikes. However, ‘Dune 2’ would have surely dominated as the number one film and contributed to a larger weekend turnout,” commented Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore. The current circumstances have allowed for other films like “Priscilla,” “The Holdovers,” and “Radical” to garner increased attention.

In its second showing, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” added an impressive $19.4 million, securing the leading spot, despite a steep 76% drop from its opening weekend. This pattern is not unusual, especially since the film is accessible on Peacock and targets a niche audience that tends to show intense initial interest. The film’s global intake of $217 million against a $20 million budget denotes a successful venture for Universal Pictures and Blumhouse.

“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” clinched the second place with its fourth-week earnings of approximately $13.5 million from the AMC release, totaling a remarkable $231.1 million internationally.

The third slot was taken by “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which saw only a 25% decrease in its third weekend, earning $7 million across 3,786 screens, culminating in a domestic total of $52.3 million. This $200 million production, backed by Apple Original Films and distributed by Paramount, is maintaining a strong presence.

“Priscilla,” adapted from Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me,” after a successful limited opening, expanded to 1,359 screens and grossed $5.1 million, claiming the fourth place. Directed by Coppola and featuring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, the film drew a predominantly young and female audience, holding prospects of enduring success through the awards season.

” The Holdovers,” with its slight expansion to 64 theaters, reaped an additional $600,000. The upcoming weekend is set to witness a significant expansion of this New England-set drama to over 800 venues.

The weekend also saw the theatrical debut of smaller films including “What Happens Later” by Bleecker Street, and the Sundance acclaimed ” Radical ” and ” All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt.”

Of these, ” Radical,” inspired by a true story about a dedicated teacher in a Mexican border town and featuring Eugenio Derbez, emerged as the most successful, opening in 419 locations and earning $2.7 million. “‘Radical’ stands out this weekend, signifying another milestone for Eugenio Derbez’s burgeoning international acclaim,” Dergarabedian noted.

“What Happens Later,” a romantic comedy starring Ryan and David Duchovny as former partners confined in an airport, garnered $1.6 million across 1,492 screens. Raven Jackson’s “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” began its journey on three screens, bringing in $12,529, as reported by A24.

“The box office might be quiet, yet the array of intriguing films available is impressive,” Dergarabedian observed, highlighting the potential for independent cinema to thrive under the current conditions.

The box office impact of the ongoing strikes remains complex and immeasurable. So far, it has primarily meant that major stars without temporary agreements have been restricted from promoting their films. “Priscilla” stands as an exception, with Elordi and Spaeny being able to participate in interviews and appear on talk shows.

The upcoming weekend presents an important benchmark as Marvel and Disney’s “The Marvels” debuts without the typical pre-release promotional activities by stars such as Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Lashana Lynch due to the strikes. A potential resolution between the actors’ guild and major studios may arise this week, though its effect on “The Marvels” remains to be seen.

“The industry’s focus is on ‘The Marvels,’ as it serves as an indicator not only of the strike’s impact but also of Marvel’s ongoing performance in comparison to past successes,” Dergarabedian added. “Although the opening weekend is no longer the sole indicator of success, it is hoped that the film will inject a sense of blockbuster excitement as we head into the holiday season.”

The following are estimated ticket sales from Friday to Sunday at theaters in the United States and Canada, as per Comscore. The final domestic figures are expected to be announced on Monday.

1. “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” $19.4 million.
2. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” $13.5 million.
3. “Killers of the Flower Moon,” $7 million.
4. “Priscilla,” $5.1 million.
5. “Radical,” $2.7 million.
6. “The Exorcist: Believer,” $2.2 million.
7. “After Death,” $2 million.
8. “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” $2 million.
9. “What Happens Later,” $1.6 million.
10. “Freelance,” $1.3 million.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about weekend box office performance

More about weekend box office performance

• Variety – Weekend Box Office Results
• CNN – Impact of Strikes on Film Industry
• The Hollywood Reporter – Film Releases Affected by Strikes
• Comscore – Weekend Box Office Figures
• Universal Pictures – “Five Nights at Freddy’s”