“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” started with $16 million in North American ticket sales throughout Friday and showings in 4,345 theaters. This almost corresponds the $16.6 million that its predecessor “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” earned on its opening day in November 2021. Sony’s sci-fi comedy sequel will easily reach the top of the domestic charts, although its work is not done, but considering its production budget of US$100 million.
That represents an increase in the price of “Afterlife,” which cost $75 million before advertising and distribution. This franchise revival nearly tripled its $44 million opening weekend, placing well into the Thanksgiving holiday total for $129 million and $204 million worldwide. Likewise, “Frozen Empire” could improve its luck with Easter later in the month.
Reviews have been more lukewarm compared to the more or less acquired “afterlife”. Early viewers are also a little more interested in the franchise now, with viewer research agency Cinema Rating handing it a B+ grade. (“Afterlife” gets an A-.) “Frozen Empire” will face some competition next week with the arrival of another “Empire,” in this case a “new” one: Warner Bros. New Empire.”
Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard and McKenna Grace return for “Frozen Empire,” with the group heading to a mysteriously frozen Big Apple, where the career of ghost hunting was famously invented. Original ’80s stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and William Atherton also reprise their “Ghostbusters” roles. Gil Kenan directs.
Also opening this weekend, independent banner Neon is promoting the horror film “Immaculata” in 2,354 locations. Headlined by Sydney Sweeney and directed by her “The Voyeurs” director Michael Mohan, the style play was financed and produced by Black Bear. Business rivals are projecting a fourth-place spot for “Immaculata,” with about $5 million for the three-day organ. It’s not a dazzling debut, but the film was produced with modest budgets. Reviews are optimistic, while the sentiment of fast viewers is not (grade C in the cinema rating) – as is typical of horror.
“Dune: Half Two” appears to remain in second place. Legendary Leisure and Warner Bros. feature grossed $4.45 million on Friday, down just 45% from the $8 million it made weekly in the past. Denis Villeneuve’s sequel will have another strong support in its fourth weekend of release, now looking to boost its domestic gross to over $230 million. “Frozen Empire” (and soon “Godzilla
Universal’s “Kung Fu Panda 4” will reach bronze, projecting $14.5 million for the weekend with a drop of just 52%. That’s a pretty impressive position considering that “Frozen Empire” is now the new attraction for home audiences. The DreamWorks Animation sequel will reach $130 million in its first 17 days of release. It will soon surpass the North American gross of its predecessor, “Kung Fu Panda 3,” which grossed $143 million in 2016.
Lionsgate’s “Arthur the King” will round out the top five, grossing $1.1 million on Friday. Mark Wahlberg’s car was unimpressed on its debut and is now trying to gross $14 million in its first 10 days. Considering its modest $19 million production budget, it won’t be too bad in the future, but the dog story isn’t making an unlikely comeback after its quiet debut.
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