This time a year ago, Apple’sArgyllesent the marketplace plummeting with its disappointing debut. But the domestic box office is eyeing around $90 million this weekend, thanks to theunexpected over-performance of Universal’sDog Man. If one thing has become clear in the last few years, it’s that horror movies aren’t as reliable as they once were, and animated movies are still incredibly bankable. This trend unfolded in real-time this weekend, withDog Manearning over three times as much as fellow newcomer, the horror filmCompanion.
Produced byZach Cregger, who burst onto the scene with the hit filmBarbariana few years ago,Companionis written and directed byDrew Hancock. The film starsSophie ThatcherandJack Quaid, both of whom broke into the big leagues after appearing in the hit television showsYellowjacketsandThe Boys, respectively. The movieearned an estimated $9.5 million in its first weekend, which could go either way.Companionopened to positive reviews, and currently holds a “fresh” 94% rating on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes. Somewhat unusually for the horror genre, themovie has earned an exceptional response from audiences. It holds a 91% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a B+ CinemaScore.
Dog Man, on the other hand,leaped to a $36 million opening weekend haul, despite minimal marketing. This marksthe second-biggest January debut for an animated filmand the third number-one debut in a row for DreamWorks. Based on the children’s comic book series byDav Pilkey, the movie earned mostly positive reviews, and currently sits at a “fresh” 76% rating onRotten Tomatoes. Family audiences appear to have huge appetites, seeing as they just feasted on films such asMoana 2,Sonic the Hedgehog 3, andMufasa: The Lion King.
Overall Business Nearly Hit the $90 Million Mark this Weekend
At number three,Mufasaearned another $6.5 million in its seventh weekend, taking its running domestic total to $230 million. What’s remarkable about the film’s run is that it made around $35 million in its first weekend, when it clashed withSonic the Hedgehog 3. Both movies are now neck-and-neck, despiteSonic 3having a $25 million head start after the opening weekend. The fourth spot was claimed by Sony’s comedy filmOne of Them Days, which made around $6 million in its second weekend. StarringKeke PalmerandSZA, the film has now made nearly $35 million domestically.
The top five list was rounded out by last weekend’s number one film,Flight Risk. StarringMark Wahlbergand directed byMel Gibson, the movie grossed around $5.5 million this weekend, taking its running domestic total to $20 million. Elsewhere,A Complete Unknownpassed the $65 million mark, whileDen of Thieves 2: Panteraneared the $35 million milestone after debuting on PVOD. Meanwhile,Steven Soderbergh’sPresencefell by a huge 72% in its second weekend, grossing a little over $1 million.
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