THE BIG PICTURE
In the world of cinema, September has been quite a rollercoaster ride. The eerie and enigmatic Valak, also known as “The Nun,” continues to cast her shadow over the box office, raking in an impressive $8.4 million domestically and crossing the $200 million mark globally. However, not all is well in the world of cinematic debuts as Expend4bles, a film that held promise, disappoints with a mere $8.3 million in its domestic opening, raising questions about its future prospects. On the other hand, Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice maintains a steady course, adding $6.3 million to its domestic earnings and surpassing $70 million globally.
But beneath these individual film performances lies a bigger story – the box office itself is facing a drought of epic proportions. After a lackluster weekend that saw a meager $49.1 million in total earnings, it’s safe to say that this past weekend marks the low point for the box office in 2023. Let’s dive deeper into the highs and lows of the silver screen.
A Box Office in Desperate Need of Rain
The recent box office figures paint a gloomy picture for the industry, with this past weekend being the nadir of the year, bringing in just $49.1 million in total revenue. This dry spell is a cause for concern for movie studios, exhibitors, and film enthusiasts alike. But what caused this cinematic desert?
The highly anticipated Expend4bles was poised to be the savior of the weekend, but its underwhelming debut with only $8.3 million dashed those hopes. Meanwhile, The Nun II, a sequel to the successful Conjuring universe, retained its supremacy with $8.4 million in domestic earnings. A Haunting in Venice, though not hitting the top spot, added $6.3 million to its steadily growing pile.
Spooky Season Beckons
As summer fades into memory and September gives way to October, the season of chills and thrills approaches. This weekend promises an intriguing showdown between Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie and Saw X. But the scares don’t stop there, as The Exorcist: Believer lurks around the corner on October 6, with Ellen Burstyn returning to the iconic horror franchise under the direction of David Gordon Green. The month of October also promises Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and Killers of the Flower Moon before culminating in a Halloween scarefest on October 27, featuring the viral video game-inspired Five Nights at Freddy’s and Heather Graham-led Lovecraftian horror Suitable Flesh.
‘The Nun II’ – The Unholy Reign Continues
Amidst this cinematic drought, Valak, the malevolent entity at the heart of The Nun II, continues her reign of terror for the third consecutive week. The film, starring Taissa Farmiga, amassed $8.4 million in domestic earnings, bringing its total to a formidable $69.2 million. While surpassing its predecessor’s performance may be a tall order, with its global earnings standing at $204 million, this spinoff sequel is climbing the franchise ladder with determination, eyeing Annabelle Comes Home’s global earnings of $231.3 million.
‘Expend4bles’ – A Disappointing Return
After a decade-long absence from the big screen, The Expendables franchise was banking on a triumphant comeback. Unfortunately, Expend4bles failed to deliver, earning a meager $8.3 million during its domestic debut. To put this in perspective, even The Expendables 3, which had previously set a low bar with $15.8 million, outperformed this latest installment. While global box office figures are yet to be revealed, the addition of new faces like Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Andy Garcia, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, Tony Jaa, Sheila Shah, and Eddie Hall couldn’t resuscitate the aging franchise.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ – The Silver Lining
Securing the third spot in the box office race is Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice, which continues to hold its ground with an additional $6.3 million. Despite narrowly missing out on the top spot last week, the film has now accumulated $25.3 million domestically and soared past the $70 million mark globally with a respectable $71.5 million in just two weeks. As long as A Haunting in Venice maintains its steady pace, surpassing Death on the Nile’s global earnings of $137.3 million appears well within reach.
As the autumn leaves fall and the nights grow longer, the future of the box office remains uncertain. Will upcoming releases reinvigorate the industry, or are we in for a prolonged cinematic drought? Stay tuned to FilmSweep for all the latest box office updates!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Box office trends
What were the box office highlights in September 2023?
In September 2023, ‘The Nun II’ continued to dominate the box office with $8.4 million domestically and crossing the $200 million global mark. ‘Expend4bles’ had a disappointing domestic debut, earning only $8.3 million, raising concerns about its success. ‘A Haunting in Venice’ held steady, earning $6.3 million domestically and surpassing $70 million globally.
Why was September 2023 considered a dry spell for the box office?
September 2023 was considered a dry spell for the box office as it witnessed one of the lowest-grossing weekends of the year, with a mere $49.1 million in total earnings. This marked the low point for the box office in 2023, raising concerns about the industry’s performance.
What’s in store for the upcoming months in the world of cinema?
As September transitions into October, spooky season approaches with exciting film releases. Upcoming movies include ‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,’ ‘Saw X,’ ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,’ ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s,’ and ‘Suitable Flesh,’ promising a mix of thrills and entertainment for moviegoers.
How did ‘The Nun II’ perform at the box office?
‘The Nun II’ had a successful run, remaining at the top of the box office for three consecutive weeks. It earned $8.4 million domestically, bringing its total to $69.2 million. Globally, it crossed the $200 million mark, positioning itself as a strong performer in ‘The Conjuring’ franchise.
Why did ‘Expend4bles’ underperform at the box office?
Despite high expectations, ‘Expend4bles’ underperformed with just $8.3 million in its domestic debut. This disappointing performance was attributed to negative critical reviews and concerns about the franchise’s future. While global numbers weren’t available at the time, the film’s overseas earnings were expected to perform better, given the franchise’s history.
How did ‘A Haunting in Venice’ fare at the box office?
‘A Haunting in Venice’ maintained a steady performance, adding $6.3 million to its domestic earnings. Despite facing competition from ‘The Nun II,’ it reached $25.3 million domestically and crossed the $70 million mark globally with $71.5 million in two weeks. Its consistent performance indicated a promising trajectory.
More about Box office trends
- Box Office Mojo: For comprehensive box office statistics and data.
- The Conjuring Universe: Explore more about ‘The Nun II’ and other films in ‘The Conjuring’ franchise.
- IMDb: For movie reviews, cast information, and film details.
- Deadline: Stay updated on the latest news and analysis in the film industry.
- Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice: Learn more about the film directed by Kenneth Branagh.
- Rotten Tomatoes: For critical and audience reception of movies.
- Variety: For entertainment industry news and insights.
- FilmSweep: The source of the original text, providing box office updates and movie-related news.
