David Gordon Green’s horror picture opened behind 2021’s Halloween Kills, which likewise debuted day-and-date on Peacock.
It opened to $41.2 million from 3,901 theaters, the lowest of the three films. Heading into the weekend, Hallloween Ends was expected to open in the same range as Halloween Kills, or $50 million.
Overseas, it scared up $17.7 million for a global start of $58.4 million against a modest $30 million budget.
Halloween Ends won the weekend domestically for Universal, Miramax and Blumhouse. It is only the twelfth film of 2022 so far to open to $40 million or more.
While the two films received roughly the same critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, Halloween Ends received lower audience exit polls and a C+ CinemaScore, compared to B- for Halloween Kills.
After scaring up a healthy $5.4 million in Thursday previews, the numbers took a disappointing turn for Halloween Ends.
Green’s 2018 Halloween reboot debuted with a record-breaking $76.2 million on its way to earning north of $250 million worldwide. The well-reviewed pic also saw Nick Castle reprise his signature role as the menacing monster Michael Myers.
Halloween Ends no doubt is facing competition from Paramount’s sleeper horror hit Smile, which cleared $12.3 million in its third weekend to come in No. 2 and finish Sunday with a domestic total of $71.2 million and foreign tally of $66.4 million.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile placed No. 3 with $7.4 million for a domestic total of $22.8 million and $26.4 million globally.
Sony’s The Woman King continued to impress with $3.7 million for a domestic total of $59.7 million and worldwide cume of $76.5 million (eOne is a partner on Woman King).
David O. Russell’s troubled Amsterdam fell to $2.9 million in its second weekend for a domestic total of $12 million and $18.6 million. The star-packed film stands to lose New Regency $100 millions.
Till
South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, opening in 3 theaters this weekend, reported a promising location average of $28,000.
Focus Features’ Tár held well in its second weekend, posting a per screen average of $10,000 as it expanded into 36 locations.
Neon’s Triangle of Sadness, also in second weekend, posted a per screen average of $10,333 from 30 cinemas.
