Warner Bros’ horror hit Weapons is set to stay number one for a second weekend, while Bob Odenkirk’s action sequel Nobody 2 struggles to keep up.
The box office battle this weekend sees Weapons maintaining its strong lead over newcomers. The R-rated horror mystery earned $43.5 million in its opening weekend, surprising analysts with its performance. Now, it is expected to bring in $20-22 million in its second weekend, a strong hold for a horror film.
Meanwhile, Universal’s Nobody 2, the sequel to the 2021 action hit, is projected to open between $10-12 million from 3,200 North American theaters. While this is better than the first film’s $6.8 million pandemic-era debut, it may not be enough to challenge Weapons for the top spot.
Weapons Proves to Be a Sleeper Hit
Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger, has become an unexpected success. The film follows a small-town mystery where 17 children disappear at the same time, leaving the community in shock. Starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Alden Ehrenreich, the thriller has earned strong reviews and word-of-mouth buzz.
The movie made $5.2 million on Monday, the best-ever Monday performance for a horror film in August. Its global total has already reached $71 million against a $38 million budget, making it a profitable venture for Warner Bros.
“Weapons managed to weaponize one of the best secretive-yet-alluring ad campaigns in ages to over-index to #1.”
Nobody 2 Faces Uphill Battle
Bob Odenkirk returns as Hutch Mansell, a seemingly ordinary dad with a violent past, in Nobody 2. The sequel sees Hutch taking his family on vacation, only to clash with dangerous locals. The film cost $25 million to make, slightly higher than the original’s $16 million budget.
While the first movie gained popularity on streaming, the sequel faces challenges. The novelty of seeing Odenkirk as an action star has faded, and competition from holdovers like Freakier Friday may limit its opening numbers.
“The appeal of Nobody was built around seeing the comedy star Odenkirk transform into a killing machine, a novelty that can’t be duplicated in a sequel.”
Freakier Friday Holds Strong in Second Weekend
Disney’s Freakier Friday, a sequel to the 2003 comedy, is also performing well. The film, starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, earned $28.5 million in its opening weekend. It is expected to make another $10-12 million, putting it in close competition with Nobody 2 for the number two spot.
The movie has received positive audience reactions, with an “A” CinemaScore, but mixed reviews from critics (73% on Rotten Tomatoes).
Limited Release for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest
A24’s Highest 2 Lowest, a crime thriller directed by Spike Lee, is opening in limited release on 300 screens. The film, starring Denzel Washington, is a modern remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low. Early reviews have been positive, with critics praising its social commentary.
Overall Box Office Trends
The summer box office is 7.5% ahead of last year but still 23% behind 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. With total revenues at $3.2 billion, the industry hopes to reach $4 billion by the end of the season, though that goal now seems uncertain.
Credits: Variety, Box Office Pro, Hindustan Times
