Sony
Friday afternoon: Sony/Escape Artists’ The equalizer 3 is doing what it’s supposed to do this weekend, with a target of $11.5 million today, a low $30 million 3 days and up $30 million 4 days.
The film, which cost a reported $70 million and was co-financed by TSG and Eagle Pictures, is booked in 3,965 theaters.
Warner Bros. would be happy to know that Sony is including recently found ticket money from the pandemic rom-com “The Broken Hearts Gallery” into Equalizer 3’s first Friday. However, that is absolutely not the case. Equalizer 3’s first Friday includes just $3.8 million from last night’s early Thursday shows for the Denzel Washington threequel. That’s just a little more than what the extensive advance sneaks (less so on Thursday) did for Gran Turismo, which will not be in second place for the Culver City lot, but in fourth place with a second weekend start $6.5 million-63% and four days from $8 million. The Neill Blomkamp-directed film adaptation of the Sony PlayStation film has brought in $30.2 million by Monday.
Like several pictures recently, there was no publicity from the actors here due to the strike against the threequel, so the fact that it can start close to the previous film is a testament to Sony’s marketing. The last time Antoine Fuqua, Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning were together was CinemaCon in April. Producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Fuqua have been speaking to the press recently about the film.
Further evidence of Sony marketing: RelishMix says Equalizer 3’s social media count is at 233.7 million on Facebook, “The current stats are more than double what they were in 2018,” says RelishMix.
They do it all: “The overall intensity is good in comparison, but is tempered by the lack of a cast in the promo cycle and on social networks.”
RelishMix adds: “Convo for Equalizer 3 is overwhelmingly positive, as Denzel Washington’s appeal keeps a large section of die-hard fans on the edge of their seats, while audiences express their admiration and his partnership with Dakota Fanning – taking on John Wick against The Equalizer competes and challenges.” ”
Warner Bros. Barbie takes second place $9.1 million on weekends 7, -40%, over 3 days and $12 million over 4 days for a running total of $610.8 million at 3,586 locations.
Blue beetle at 3,316 locations on weekend 3 is on the eye $6.4 million-47%, over three days, $8.3 million over 4 for a running total of $57.6 million.
Universals Oppenheimer is fully booked for its seventh weekend in 2,537 cinemas $4.9 million in the 5th, -40%, 4 days $6.4 million and a running total of $309.4 million.
Update on Friday morning: Antoine Fuquas The equalizer 3 won’t end this summer quietly with a four-day opening weekend expected to be worth $30 million to $40 million; is poised to become the holiday’s second-best ever, behind Shang-Chi ($94.6 million). Last night, after screenings began at 3 p.m., the Sony threequel was halted $3.8 million at 3,241 locations.
While the critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes is 76%, Equalizer 3 currently has a 92% audience rating. Sony has extra bullets at the box office for Equalizer 3 this weekend with Imax and PLFs.
Last night’s previews are the best for Equalizer 2, which grossed $3.1 million from 2,934 theaters as of Thursday, which began at 4 p.m. That accounted for 23% of the picture’s $13.3 million on Friday, which was No. 1 with $36 million in the July 20-22, 2018 period, surpassing Universal’s opening for Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, which grossed $34.9 million.
The first Equalizer, released on September 26, 2014, grossed $1.45 million in previews, $12.4 million on Friday, and $34.1 million in opening sales. That film ended its US run with $101.5 million, while Equalizer 2 grossed $102 million. Escape Artists’ Equalizer franchise has minted $382.7 million worldwide.
Equalizer 2’s opening was Denzel Washington’s third-best opening at the domestic BO behind American Gangster ($44 million) and Safe House ($40 million).
Sony’s Gran Turismo wins the week with $22.1 million, boosted again by nine days of early preview numbers. The film grossed $772,000 in 3,856 theaters yesterday, -29% from Wednesday.
Warner Bros.’ Barbie gained $1.3 million on Thursday at 3,736, -13% from Wednesday, for a sixth week of $21.1 million and a running total of $598.8 million. The picture will cross the $600 million mark today, on its 43rd day of release.
Universal’s Oppenheimer posted a sixth Thursday of $824,000 with 2,872, -14%, for a running total of $303 million. Pic’s sixth week is $12 million.
Warner Bros/DC’s “Blue Beetle,” booked in 3,871 theaters, grossed $685,000 on its second Thursday, ranking fourth for the day, -13% from Wednesday, for $15.7 million -$ in its second week and with a total of $49.3 million, a 1% lead over Shazam: Fury of the Gods at the same time.
Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem grossed $501,000, -19%, in 3,145 theaters on its fourth Thursday, a week of $9.6 million and a total of $101.7 million.
Shiva Nirvana’s “Kushi,” about a young man raised in an atheist household who falls in love with the daughter of his father’s arch-rival, a devout Hindu leader, opened last night with $475,000.