NEW YORK (AP) — In an almost improbable cinematic matchup Barbie and Oppenheimer Martin Scorsese took on Taylor Swift in theaters over the weekend. While “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” returned to the box office for a second time, Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” got off to a strong start in Apple Studios’ first major theatrical gambit.
after Record opening weekend “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” grossed $92.8 million and took in an estimated $31 million over the weekend from 3,855 locations, according to AMC Theaters. In an unconventional dealthe theater chain is distributing Swift’s concert film, showing Thursday through Sunday only.
Most Swifties rushed to see the film on its opening weekend, when a large proportion of sales were driven by advance ticket reservations. Sales fell sharply by 67% in its second weekend, which may indicate that “Tour for the Ages” was mostly an opening weekend phenomenon.
But “The Eras Tour” remains a cinematic event like no other. Within days, the film became the highest-grossing concert film of all time in North America, not including inflation. It has quickly accumulated $129.8 million domestically.
More were riding “Moonflower Killers” A historical crime drama revolving around a series of murders against the Osage Nation in the early 1920s. The film, which cost at least $200 million to produce, is the biggest production yet from Apple Studios. The streaming company has partnered with Paramount Pictures to release Scorsese’s adaptation of David Grann’s best-selling book in 3,628 theaters, with plans to later stream it at a yet-to-be-announced date on Apple TV+.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” debuted with $23 million, the third-best opening for the 80-year-old Scorsese, behind “Shutter Island” ($41 million in 2010) and “The Departed” ($26.9 million in 2010). 2006). Although Scorsese’s latest, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro, will have a tough road to profitability, it marks a successful launch for a 206-minute adult drama — the kind of film that… Outside of Oppenheimer It has struggled mightily at the box office in recent years.
And “Moonflower Killers” with Rave reviews, an “A-” CinemaScore from audiences and strong Oscar campaign support should continue to play well over the long term. It added $21 million overseas.
“Killer of the Flower Moon” also marks the best wide debut for a film from a streaming company. While Netflix (which backed Scorsese’s last feature film, “Irish” (in 2019) Charting a mostly limited approach to theatrical release, Apple and Amazon, which last year finalized their purchase of MGM, have pursued more expansive theatrical strategies.
Earlier this year, Apple said it plans to spend $1 billion annually to produce films that will have theatrical releases before they reach its streaming service. Apple is also behind Ridley Scott’s upcoming film “Napoleon,” with Joaquin Phoenix, which will be distributed by Sony Pictures on November 22; It has partnered with Universal for Matthew Vaughn’s “Argylle,” which is scheduled for release on February 2.
Paramount initially signed on to produce and distribute Killers of the Flower Moon, but moved on to the deal with Apple when costs for the project — which was filmed during the pandemic — rose.
David A. said: Gross, who runs the film consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, said of the company: “If ‘flexibility’ is the new watchword for the theatrical film industry, this is a huge success — it establishes a viable option for companies.” Launch of the series “Killers of the Moonflower”.
Although “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” are different, they are similar in their extended running times. The double feature of the weekend’s top two films would have run six hours and 14 minutes, not counting ads and trailers.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” also attracted more young moviegoers than one would have expected. Paramount said 44% of ticket buyers were under the age of 30.
David Gordon Green’s new horror film Exorcist: The Believer came in third place, earning $5.6 million in its third weekend of release. The Universal, Blumhouse film grossed $54.2 million domestically.
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie came in fourth place with $4.5 million in its fourth weekend. Fifth place went to the re-release of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, which collected $4.1 million 30 years after it was first shown in theaters.
Estimated Friday-Sunday ticket sales are for U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final local figures will be published on Monday.
1. “Taylor Swift: Tour for the Ages,” $31 million.
2. “Moonflower Killers” $23 million.
3. “The Exorcist: The Believer,” $5.6 million.
4. “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” $4.5 million.
5- The Nightmare Before Christmas, $4.1 million.
6. “Saw X” with $3.6 million.
7. “The Creator,” $2.6 million.
8. “Leo: Bloody Sweet,” $2.1 million.
9. “Chase in Venice,” $1.1 million.
10. “The Blind” movie, with a million dollars.
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This story has been updated to correct the weekend gross of “Exorcist: The Believer” to $5.6 million and the weekend gross of “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” to $4.5 million.
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