In the world of cinema, a chilling mystery is unfolding, but it’s not the kind you might expect. “A Haunting in Venice,” the third installment in Kenneth Branagh’s series of murder mystery films, is making its mark at the domestic box office, though perhaps not as decisively as its predecessor. This latest addition to the franchise is delivering lukewarm results in its opening weekend, and here’s the scoop.
On its opening Friday, “A Haunting in Venice” conjured up $5.5 million in ticket sales, and that figure includes the $1.2 million it earned in Thursday previews. While this might seem like a substantial amount, it puts the film on track to open with approximately $14 million in its debut weekend. Now, in most cases, $14 million would be a respectable number, but in the competitive world of box office rankings, it doesn’t necessarily secure the top spot.
However, before we pass judgment, let’s consider the bigger picture. The entire film market is experiencing a bit of a downturn, and this particular weekend is poised to be the second-lowest of the year so far. So, while “A Haunting in Venice” may not be breaking box office records, it’s doing relatively well given the challenging circumstances.
Comparing it to the previous film in the series, “Death on the Nile,” which debuted with $12.8 million last year during a more uncertain time, “A Haunting in Venice” is showing a marginal improvement. But we should also remember that “Death on the Nile” struggled both domestically and internationally, concluding its run with only $45 million in the domestic market and less than $140 million worldwide. In contrast, the first film in the series, “Murder on the Orient Express,” crossed the $100 million mark domestically and grossed over $350 million globally in 2017.
Each of these films is a brainchild of Kenneth Branagh, who not only directs but also stars as the iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Reviews for the series have been mixed, but “A Haunting in Venice” appears to have fared slightly better, boasting a “fresh” 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it received a B CinemaScore from opening day audiences, indicating a varied reception. It remains to be seen how it will perform in the coming weeks, especially considering its spooky tone, which marks a significant departure from the traditional charm of the first two films.
Now, here’s a twist in the plot: Last week’s reigning champion, “The Nun II,” is still in contention for the top spot in its second weekend. The sequel added $4.3 million on its second Friday and has now crossed the $100 million mark at the global box office. While these numbers may not match the phenomenal performance of the original “The Nun” movie in 2018, which raked in over $360 million worldwide, they prove that “The Conjuring Universe” still has plenty of life left in it.
Meanwhile, Sony’s “The Equalizer 3” is eyeing the third spot with $2.1 million on its third Friday. The film is steadily marching toward the $100 million mark domestically and hopes to become the highest-grossing entry in the action franchise. Starring Denzel Washington and directed by Antoine Fuqua, “The Equalizer 3” has already grossed $68 million domestically and nearly $115 million worldwide. Comparatively, the first and second films in the series ended up with similar figures both domestically and globally, around $100 million and $190 million each, respectively.
As the weekend unfolds, it’s a toss-up for the fourth and fifth positions. “Barbie,” the year’s biggest movie, continues to pull in impressive numbers, even though it’s now available on PVOD platforms. It’s likely to settle for fifth place behind “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,” which is expected to reach around $18 million domestically by Sunday. On the other hand, “Barbie” is aiming to pass the remarkable milestone of $623 million domestically.
Stay tuned to FilmSweep for more box office updates over the weekend, as this cinematic tale of intrigue and competition continues to captivate audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Box Office Competition
Q: How well is “A Haunting in Venice” performing at the box office?
A: “A Haunting in Venice” is delivering lukewarm results in its opening weekend, with an estimated opening of around $14 million.
Q: How does “A Haunting in Venice” compare to the previous film in the series, “Death on the Nile”?
A: “A Haunting in Venice” shows a marginal improvement over “Death on the Nile,” which debuted with $12.8 million. However, it’s essential to consider that market conditions were more uncertain when the latter was released.
Q: How have the other films in the series, like “Murder on the Orient Express,” performed at the box office?
A: “Murder on the Orient Express” crossed the $100 million mark domestically and grossed over $350 million globally in 2017, outperforming “Death on the Nile.”
Q: What is the critical reception of “A Haunting in Venice”?
A: “A Haunting in Venice” has received mixed reviews. It holds a “fresh” 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes but earned a B CinemaScore from opening day audiences.
Q: Can “The Nun II” maintain its top position at the box office?
A: “The Nun II” is still in contention for the top spot in its second weekend, having crossed the $100 million mark at the global box office.
Q: How is “The Equalizer 3” performing at the box office?
A: “The Equalizer 3” is eyeing the third spot with steady performance, nearing the $100 million mark domestically and aiming to become the franchise’s highest-grossing entry.
Q: What’s the competition like for the fourth and fifth positions at the box office this weekend?
A: It’s a close competition for the fourth and fifth positions, with “Barbie” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” vying for these spots.
Q: What’s the total domestic earnings goal for “Barbie”?
A: “Barbie” is aiming to surpass an impressive $623 million domestically.
Q: Where can I find more box office updates?
A: For more box office updates, you can stay tuned to FilmSweep, where you’ll find the latest news and figures on the cinematic landscape.
More about Box Office Competition
- Rotten Tomatoes – A Haunting in Venice
- The Conjuring Universe
- Sony Pictures – The Equalizer 3
- Barbie Movie
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
- FilmSweep
2 comments
I love tech, but box office numbers are fun too. Barbie’s chugging along despite PVOD. Wonder if they’ll hit that big $623 million mark?
whoa! dis Haunting in Venice, not da huge box office hit, but don’t count it out yet! Nun II’s still in da game, but Barbie’s still rollin’ too. Box office biz, always a wild ride!