In the grand spectacle of September’s box office showdown, it’s clear that fear reigns supreme, especially when a new addition to The Conjuring universe hits the screens. After The Equalizer 3 briefly seized the throne to kick off the month, the malevolent Valak has returned to claim its rightful place with ‘The Nun II,’ amassing an impressive $32.6 million in domestic earnings over the weekend. Denzel Washington’s swan song as Robert McCall came in at a respectable second place with $12.1 million, while a fresh contender, ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ managed to secure a modest $10 million to round out the top three.
As the days grow shorter and the nights darker, spooky season is nearly upon us. However, there’s no need to wait for Halloween to be scared witless; the horrors have already begun. This week, on September 15, Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot is set to send shivers down our spines with the murder mystery ‘A Haunting in Venice.’ Meanwhile, on September 22, the much-anticipated ‘It Lives Inside’ will haunt theaters, going head-to-head with ‘Expedn4bles.’ And mark your calendars for September 29 when Tobin Bell reprises his iconic role as Jigsaw in ‘Saw X.’ But that’s not all; devoted fans are in for a treat as the first two installments return to select Alamo Drafthouse locations throughout the month, celebrating a decade of twisted and torturous games. And brace yourselves for October, with the legacy sequel ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ and the video game horror sensation ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ among the marquee releases.
‘The Nun II’ Conjures Box Office Magic
Audiences can’t seem to get enough of James Wan’s spine-tingling Conjuring universe. While ‘The Nun II’ didn’t quite match the record-breaking debut of its predecessor, which conjured up $53.8 million domestically and a staggering $365.6 million globally, it still managed a spine-chilling $32.6 million in the domestic box office and approximately $85 million worldwide. The spinoff sequel once again features Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene, who finds herself confronting the gruesome murder of a priest and facing off once more against the malevolent Valak. While the first spinoff received mixed reviews from critics, Michael Chaves skillfully guided the follow-up to much-improved critical acclaim, with particular praise for Farmiga’s powerhouse performance.
Robert McCall and ‘The Equalizer 3’ Slip to Second Place
After setting a franchise record for its Labor Day weekend opening, ‘The Equalizer 3’ is rapidly closing in on recouping its reported $70 million budget solely through domestic box office earnings. The concluding chapter of Antoine Fuqua’s trilogy added another $12.1 million to its tally, pushing its domestic total to $61.8 million. Globally, it has already crossed the significant $100 million milestone, amassing a total of $107.7 million thus far. While it may have succumbed to Valak’s haunting presence, it’s certainly on track to become the trilogy’s most lucrative box office success.
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ Performs Respectably
Speaking of trilogies, ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ continues the rom-com franchise’s winning streak, earning $10 million at the domestic box office. While it may not reach the same heights as its predecessors, it comes tantalizingly close to covering its reported $12.7 million budget, and that’s not even factoring in the $2.6 million it garnered overseas. The film reunites Nia Vardalos and John Corbett as Toula and Ian for a heartwarming reunion in Greece, honoring the final wishes of Toula’s late father, Gus. This poignant sendoff to the late Michael Constantine brings the Portokalos family together for one last cinematic hurrah, effectively dethroning “Barbenheimer” from the top three, with Barbie slipping to fifth place while Oppenheimer takes the eighth spot. Even in defeat, the former has its sights set on surpassing the staggering $1.49 billion mark set by ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’
All these films are currently gracing the silver screen, so grab your popcorn and stay tuned to FilmSweep for upcoming box office updates that promise to be as thrilling as the films themselves!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about box office showdown
What are the top movies at the September box office?
In September, ‘The Nun II’ claimed the top spot with $32.6 million, followed by ‘The Equalizer 3’ with $12.1 million and ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ at $10 million.
How did ‘The Nun II’ perform compared to its predecessor?
While ‘The Nun II’ didn’t surpass its predecessor’s record-breaking debut, it still earned a solid $32.6 million domestically and around $85 million worldwide.
Is ‘The Equalizer 3’ a box office success?
Yes, ‘The Equalizer 3’ has performed impressively, nearing its $70 million budget through domestic earnings alone and crossing the $100 million milestone globally.
What about ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’?
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3′ may not match its predecessors’ success, but it earned $10 million domestically, approaching its $12.7 million budget, with an additional $2.6 million from overseas.
What’s next in the horror film lineup?
Upcoming horror films include ‘A Haunting in Venice,’ ‘It Lives Inside,’ and ‘Saw X’ in September. October brings ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ and ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ among others.
Where can I find these films?
All of these films are currently playing in theaters, so grab your tickets and enjoy the scares and excitement on the big screen.
More about box office showdown
- The Nun II – Box Office Mojo
- The Equalizer 3 – Box Office Performance
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 – Box Office Numbers
- Upcoming Horror Movies
