THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES has a respectable debut this weekend with $44 million from 3,776 theatres for Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures. This Prequel, made for $100 million, gets 60% on the Tomatometer and while far off the Franchise best with 2013’s Catching Fire openining with $158 million, times are very different right as Hollywood is navigating its way out of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
TROLLS BAND TOGETHER debuts in second spot with $30.6 million from 3,870 theatres for Universal Pictures, garnering 59% on the Tomatometer. Best opening in the Franchise still goes to 2016’s TROLLS with $46 million.
THE MARVELS lands in third in its second weekend with $10.2 million from 4,030 theatres for Disney, a two week domestic total of $67 million.
Toronto-made THANKSGIVING debuts with $10 million from 3,204 theatres for Sony Pictures, nabbing an impressive 86% on the Tomatometer for Director Eli Roth.
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S rounds out the Top Five with $3.5 million, a total $132 million grossed over four weekends for Universal Pictures.
FRIDAY NIGHTS AT FREDDY‘S has a record-smashing debut this weekend, primed right for Halloween next week. This sets a record for best Halloween weekend opening ever, easily surpassing 2011’s PUSS IN BOOTS which opened with $34 million. This Video Game adaptation from Blumhouse, gets $78 million from 3,550 theatres for Universal Pictures, which is even more impressive considering it also already is streaming on American streaming service, Peacock. While Critics didn’t love it with 26% on the Tomatometer, moviegoers are loving it with an A- CinemaScore.
In second is TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR with $16.5 million from 3,773 theatres, taking it to $151.1 million for AMC/Cineplex Pictures.
Third is KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON with $11 million in its second weekend, a tally of $43.6 million for Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures.
Documentary AFTER DEATH gets a $6.1 million opening for Angel Studios in its debut, good enough for fourth.
THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER rounds things out with $3.7 million for Universal Pictures, a total $60 million in its domestic run.
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