Universal
No one knew how big this was or would be, but Universal/Blumhouse’s feature version of the popular horror video game, Five nights at Freddy’s eyes a $50M+ maybe start even more. At this level, it’s the BO’s second-best opening this fall behind Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour ($92.8 million). Note that the pre-Halloween weekend isn’t exactly known as a particularly good time for movie releases. The film’s biggest openings were 2011’s “Puss in Boots” with $34 million and 2006’s “Saw III” with $33.6 million.
Pre-sales for this $20 million production have increased to an insane amount since our last reporting, with some saying well over $11 million and some exhibitors predicting a tentpole-like opening price of $85 million. What should be thought-provoking here, however, is the entire movie day and date on Peacock (note that the film is only available on a paid tier). Last year, many were hoping for $50 million-plus for “Halloween Ends,” and it ended up falling short after opening at $40 million as the sequel simultaneously pulled in record weekend viewers on Peacock.
While pre-sales are now higher than M3GAN for Freddy’s ($30.4 million), what many are noticing is that the picture is front and center, driven by a very passionate under-25 demo. Remember what happened recently with “Taylor Swift: Eras Tour”: Many exhibition and distribution sources swore to God that the film would gross $100 million to $125 million or more in three days, only by $92.8 million US dollars can be seen. Such is the nature of Millennial moviegoers when they decide to make an appointment for an event in advance and by Saturday it’s over. Universal has a theater count of between 3,500 and 3,600 for Freddy’s, including PLFs. Previews for this PG-13 genre title begin Thursday at 2 p.m. The film will be released on Peacock on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. PST/8:00 p.m. EST.
If the numbers were so high, why the hell did Universal decide to update this? I understand that it simply came down to the fact that the film was originally packaged as such. Does Peacock leave money on the table? The streamer’s distribution is probably not as big as Disney+ or Netflix, but in the end Freddy’s is a driver for the OTT service. “Black Widow” is arguably the biggest theatrical opening for a current streaming title, grossing $80.3 million, despite being offered to Disney+ subscribers for a price of $25. Halloween Kills in a Day-and-Date on Peacock debuted to $49.4 million.
“Freddy’s,” directed by Emma Tammi, follows Mike (Josh Hutcherson; Ultraman, The Hunger Games), a troubled young man who cares for his 10-year-old sister Abby (Piper Rubio; Holly & Ivy, Unstable). is haunted by unresolved issues following the disappearance of his younger brother more than a decade ago.
Mike was recently laid off and is desperate to find a job so he can retain custody of Abby. He agrees to take a job as a night watchman at an abandoned themed restaurant: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. But Mike soon realizes that nothing is as it seems with Freddy. With the help of Vanessa, a local police officer (Elizabeth Lail; You, Mack & Rita), Mike’s nights at Freddy’s lead him into inexplicable encounters with the supernatural and draw him into the black heart of an unspeakable nightmare.
Pic also stars Mary Stuart Masterson as Mike’s ice-cold Aunt Jane; Kat Conner Sterling as Abby’s caring babysitter Max; and Matthew Lillard as Steve Raglan, Mike’s smug career advisor.
More diagnoses this weekend: AMC’s Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour In the third weekend it seems to go down sharply again, at -60%, but could therefore consolidate second place $13.3 million.
Apple TV+ / Courtesy of the Everett Collection
Apple Original Films and Paramounts Flower Moon Killer After a solid rise of $2 million on Monday after opening at $23.25 million (current BO is $25.25 million), one hopes around -45%, possibly even better, holds up can $12.8 million on the second weekend.
Focus Features introduces its favorite of the fall film festival and awards season contender: The leftovers, by Alexander Payne in limited edition this weekend. The 1970s Massachusetts prep school feature starring Paul Giamatti has a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 77 current reviews.