By Chris Kavan - 09/15/19 at 11:00 PM CT
It was a good weekend for horror and for STX. It: Chapter 2, despite some decent competition, still managed to retain the top spot, which continues to bode well for its long-term prospects. While it may not have opened in the top spot, make no mistake, Hustlers was a big win for STX Entertainment, which needed a big win and finally got one. Things didn't work out so well for Warner Bros., however, as the drama Goldfinch had one of the worst openings among films debuting over 2500 theaters.
1) IT: CHAPTER 2
The second weekend for It: Chapter 2 managed to scare up another $40.7 million - giving the sequel a new $153.8 million total and crushing the $150 million milestone in the process. The second-week drop of 55.3% was just a shade over the 51% drop for It, but still very good considering the competition it faced. The total for It: Chapter 2 has already topped every film in The Conjuring franchise, and sits behind just Halloween ($159 million), Us ($175 million) and Get Out ($176 million) among Universal horror films. And it will pass each of those movies in due time, as Chapter 2 is looking at a total north of $200 million - possibly hitting $225 million in the end. The film also added $47 million on the international front for a global total of $323.3. That also means that It and It: Chapter 2 have grossed over $1 billion worldwide - $1.02 billion to be exact - and the Stephen King Renaissance continues unabated.
2)
HUSTLERS
While Hustlers may have not opened on top, it certainly made its mark at the box office. With $33.23 million it represents the best opening for any STX film (well above the $23.8 of Bad Moms) as well as the best opening for Jennifer Lopez - even when adjusted for inflation. The film has been gaining attention ever since its dynamite debut at the Toronto Film Festival and the diverse cast - Lopez, along with Constance Wu, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Cardi B, Julia Stiles and Lizzo, brought in a diverse audience. It came in 67% female, 69% 25 or older, 36% Caucasian, 26% African American, 27% Hispanic and 9% Asian. While the "B-" Cinemascore seems a tad bit low considering the results, I have no doubt that Hustlers is going to play well through the rest of the month and possibly beyond. $100 million is a shoo-in at the point, with a chance to hit $125 million and, best case scenario, upwards of $150 million. In any case, STX finally has the hit they've so sorely needed and this $20 million film is going to earn 5x its budget easily.
3)
ANGEL HAS FALLEN
The late-summer action surprise, Angel Has Fallen, dipped 26.5% in its fourth weekend, adding $4.4 million and giving the sequel a new $60.38 million total. It will pass the $62.5 million total of London Has Fallen sometime this next week. It's no John Wick: Chapter 3, but as far as action sequels go - it's doing better than most.
4)
GOOD BOYS
In a now-crowded R-rated market, this tween comedy still managed to take in $4.26 million (a mere 22.3% drop) giving the film a new $73.3 million total. It's going to cross that $75 million mark soon enough, on its way to earning about four times its $20 million budget. That is a fine result for the raunchy comedy.
5)
THE LION KING
Disney's current behemoth weathered a light 17.8% drop, adding another $3.55 million to its total, which now stands at a hefty $534 million. That means it has passed Rogue One to take 12th place all-time domestic, and it will soon hit he 11th place spot when it tops The Dark Knight ($535.2 million) in a matter of days. It also has $1.61 billion worldwide. The Mouse House is sitting very pretty after a huge summer haul and looks to continue that streak in the fall/winter.
Outside the top five: The overly-dramatic film The Goldfinch opened in 8th place with a mere $2.64 million. If that total stands, the film will rank as the sixth-worst opening for a film in 2500 or more theaters - and a represents the latest in a long string of disappointing openings for Warner Bros. following Shaft, The Kitchen, Blinded by the Light and The Sun is Also a Star. With dismal reviews and audience response, I expect a quick death for this one.
The film with the smallest drop in the top 12 once again belonged to The Peanut Butter Falcon, which added another 180 theaters (for 1490 now) and dipped just 9.8% - which was still enough for it to rise from 11th to 9th place with $1.92 million and a new $15 million total. That is a big win for the indie film.
Next week Brad Pitt looks to impress with Ad Astra, Sylvester Stallone goes out with a bang with Rambo: Last Blood and those with a stiff upper lip will be happy to support Downton Abbey.
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