‘Predator Badlands’ Kicks Off November With Record $40M U.S. Opening, $80M Globally
The 20th Century and Disney franchise reboot ends major slump in moviegoing after winning over critics and audiences.
The picture scored the top opening of the sci-fi franchise domestically after stealing the crown from AVP: Alien vs. Predator, which debuted to $38.4 million in 2004.
Badlands, which Trachtenberg co-conceived with his Prey writer Patrick Aison, blazes new trail for the now nine-film franchise that began with John McTiernan’s 1987 classic, Predator. The series, from producer John Davis, landed at Disney following the Fox merger.
Trachtenberg impressed with 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016), followed by 2021’s Prey and June’s Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated anthology, both of which bowed on Disney’s Hulu.
Here, he’s made a villainous Predator named Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, into the protagonist who pairs with Elle Fanning’s Weyland-Yutani synthetic known as Thia. Dek has been discarded by his Yautja clan, and in a last-ditch effort to prove himself, he flies his brother Kwei’s ship to Genna, the most dangerous planet in the universe, to go on an unsanctioned hunt for its most mythical beast. That’s where he meets Thia.
The stealth-like performance of Regretting You, the adaptation of the Colleen Hoover book is impressive. Now in its third weekend, the female-skewing movie is making headlines for its staying power.
Paramount is estimating the female property will fall a scant 8 percent or less to $7.3 million to come in No. 2 — despite the entry of a number of new films — and finish the weekend with a domestic tally of $38.8 million. Marc Weinstock, Paramount’s recently departed worldwide president of marketing and distribution, was the driving force in convincing the prior regime at the studio to pick rights to distribute the pic in the U.S. and select markets on behalf of Constantin films. He’s also largely responsible for the marketing campaign.
Amazon MGM’s Sarah’s Oil–based on the true story of a black woman who became the richest woman in Texas because of oil — should come in No. 4 with a solid $4.5 million opening thanks to appealinng to females. While critics are mixed, the faith-tinged film is resonating deeply with audiences, as evidenced by its coveted A+ CinemaScore and stellar 97 percent ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sony Pictures Classics’ historical film, Nuremberg, is expected to round out the top five with an estimated $4.1 million. It likewise boasts strong praise from audiences, including an RT score of 96 percent.
The Sydney Sweeney-led Christy, another awards player starring a high-profile actress, may not crack the top 10. Critics have praised Sweeney’s performance, even if they have issues with the movie itself. Christy received solid B+ CinemaScore. Based on a true story, Sweeney transformed her body to play Christy Martin, who helped legitimize women’s boxing. The biopic stars Ben Foster as the trainer who becomes her abusive husband.
