“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” kicked off with $16 million in North American ticket gross sales throughout Friday and preview screenings in 4,345 theaters. That almost matches the $16.6 million that its predecessor “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” earned on its opening day in November 2021. Sony’s sci-fi comedy sequel will simply prime home charts, although its work isn’t achieved but contemplating its $100 million manufacturing finances.
That’s an uptick within the price ticket from “Afterlife,” which price $75 million earlier than advertising and distribution. That franchise revival almost tripled its $44 million home opening weekend, enjoying nicely by means of the Thanksgiving vacation to complete with $129 million and $204 million worldwide. Similarly, “Frozen Empire” may increase its fortunes with Easter on the finish of the month.
Reviews have been leaning extra lukewarm in comparison with the so-so acquired “Afterlife.” Early moviegoers are additionally a bit of cooler on the franchise now, with viewers survey agency Cinema Score handing over a B+ grade. (“Afterlife” scored an A-.) “Frozen Empire” will face some competitors subsequent week with the arrival of one other “Empire,” on this case a “new” one: Warner Bros. and Legendary’s “Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.”
Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard and McKenna Grace all return for “Frozen Empire,” with the group heading to a mysteriously frostbit Big Apple, the place the occupation of busting ghosts was famously invented. Original ’80s stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and William Atherton additionally reprise their “Ghostbusters” roles. Gil Kenan directs.
Also opening this weekend, indie banner Neon is placing out the horror movie “Immaculate” in 2,354 areas. Headlined by Sydney Sweeney and helmed by her “The Voyeurs” director Michael Mohan, the style play was financed and produced by Black Bear. Industry opponents are projecting a fourth place opening for “Immaculate” with about $5 million by means of the three-day body. It’s not a stunning debut, however the characteristic was produced on a modest finances. Reviews are optimistic, whereas fast viewers sentiment shouldn’t be (a C grade on Cinema Score) — as is typical for horror.
“Dune: Part Two” appears to carry onto second place. Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros.’ characteristic earned $4.45 million on Friday, down simply 45% from the $8 million it earned every week in the past. Denis Villeneuve’s sequel will put up one other robust maintain in its fourth weekend of launch, now seeking to push its home gross north of $230 million. “Frozen Empire” (and shortly, “Godzilla X Kong”) are knocking “Dune: Part Two” out of premium large-format auditoriums, however the sci-fi epic has actually cleaned up with these elevated ticket costs by means of the month of March.
Universal’s “Kung Fu Panda 4” will land in bronze, projecting $14.5 million for the weekend to solely fall 52%. That’s a fairly spectacular maintain contemplating “Frozen Empire” is now the recent new draw for household audiences. The DreamWorks Animation sequel will get to $130 million home by means of its first 17 days of launch. It will quickly move the full North American gross of its predecessor, “Kung Fu Panda 3,” which completed with $143 million again in 2016.
Lionsgate’s “Arthur the King” will spherical out the highest 5, incomes $1.1 million on Friday. The Mark Wahlberg car underwhelmed in its opening and is now seeking to inch previous $14 million by means of its first 10 days. Considering its modest $19 million manufacturing finances, it received’t be too dangerous in the long term, however the canine story isn’t making an unlikely comeback after its tender debut.