“The exorcist is the believer.’
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Exorcist: Believer It had no trouble taking first place at the weekend box office with $27.2 million. Though a respectable debut in this climate, the R-rated film fell short of expectations domestically as it attempted to revive the franchise. Universal reportedly paid 400 million dollars for the rights.
Overseas, the film opened to a worldwide debut of $45.1 million with $17.9 million from its top 40 markets.
Directed by David Gordon Green, the horror film hits theaters exactly 50 years later Exorcist It made cinema history by grossing nearly $450 million at the global box office before adjusting for inflation. Directed by William Friedkin, the film is based on the book by William Peter Blatty and stars Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn.
Believer Taylor Swift recently had to ramp up the release of her new concert film, a week after announcing it. Eras Tour, will open worldwide on October 13, as both films appeal to younger moviegoers, especially young women. Since some marketing materials, including billboards and other outdoor advertising, have an original date, changing the 11th hour publication date is never ideal. Swift’s film is expected to be the event of the season and is tracking a mega domestic opening in the $100 million to $125 million range.
Blumhouse, Morgan Creek and Universal joined Exorcist: BelieverIt cost a relatively modest $20 million to make, and two installments are already planned (the sequel is set to hit theaters in 2025).
Green, Universal and Jason Blum — the same team behind the wildly successful revival of Hollywood’s horror maestro. Halloween Right. In 2018, Halloween It opened to a record $72.2 million domestically.
Going this weekend, Exorcist: Believer It was tracking a domestic release in the $30 million to $36 million range.
It’s hard to tell if bad reviews are hurtful Believer. Its critics score on Rotten Tomatoes is only 23 percent. Audiences gave the film a C CinemaScore, which is not entirely unusual for a horror title (though Sachs X Got a B Life II Got C+). The good news: Moviegoers gave solid marks in a PostTrak audience exit poll.
The horror market is also saturated. I saw X, It debuted a week ago to $18.6 million, earning $8.2 million in its second outing to take No. 3. Exorcist And PAW Patrol: The Mighty MovieIt earned $11.8 million in its sophomore run.
Life II, which opened last month to $32.6 million, now has $2.6 million in its fifth weekend of Oct. 6-Oct., coming in at No. 7. 8 Domestic Box Office Chart.
Exorcist: Believer The fourth film in the franchise (second and third disappointments). For the first time since the original 1973 film, Burst will reprise her iconic role as Chris MacNeil, an actress who forever changes what happened to her daughter Reagan five decades ago. It centers on Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.), who is haunted by his daughter (Lydia Jewett) and her friend (Olivia Marcum).
In a special box office, A24 and Chernin Entertainment’s Dix: The Musical The star location averaged $31,552, a weekend per theater average and one of the best of the year.
A lot more to come.
This story was originally published on October 7 at 7:30 am.
