By Jake Coyle, Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller "Split" blew away box-office expectations, earning $40.2 million in ticket sales over inauguration weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Though many were focused on Friday's presidential inauguration and Saturday's nationwide women's marches, "Split" doubled forecasts to easily lead all films. The Universal Pictures release again brings together Shyamalan, director of "The Sixth Sense," with the low-budget horror experts of Blumhouse Productions.
The PG-13-rated "Split," starring James McAvoy as a man with split personalities, cost less than $10 million to make.
"This is an unusual weekend in our society and a lot of things have been going on that would otherwise divert our attention," said Nick Carpou, head of distribution for Universal. "A film like this based on the elements that it brings and the audience that it attracts, I think can take some advantage of that either as a relief to current events or perhaps as an adjunct to them."
It's the second collaboration between producer Jason Blum and Shyamalan, whose fluctuating career has recently found a lucrative home at Blumhouse. They previously combined for 2015's breakout horror hit "The Visit."
The Vin Diesel action sequel "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage" opened in second place, with $20 million. It's the third film in the trilogy and first installment in 12 years. Though a modest start for a film designed to recharge a dormant franchise, it is faring better overseas. It took in $50.5 million internationally over the weekend.
Last weekend's top film, the stirring mathematician drama "Hidden Figures," held on well, sliding to third place with an estimated $16.3 million.
Despite the weekend's political events, the North American box office was up 29.2 percent from the same weekend last year, according to comScore.
"You would think that those events would suck the air out of the room, but that didn't happen," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore. "The movie theater experience with the right content is irresistible no matter what is going on in the outside world, and in fact may even benefit from so much going on in the outside world. To have your wits scared out you is one of the greatest escapes."
A pair of other new releases had more difficulty rounding up audiences. The Weinstein Co.'s "The Founder," a biopic about Ray Kroc of McDonald's starring Michael Keaton, launched in 1,100 theaters but gathered only $3.8 million. It will be hoping for an Oscar nomination on Tuesday to help it stand out of the adult-skewing releases.
Oscar favorite "La La Land" is still going strong with $8.4 million in its seventh week.
Bombing altogether was the Christian drama "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone," which took in $1.4 million from 1,000 theaters.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers also are included. Final four-day domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "Split," $40.2 million ($5.8 million international).
2. "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage," $20 million ($50.5 million international).
3. "Hidden Figures," $16.3 million ($731,000 international).
4. "Sing," $9 million ($8.3 million international).
5. "La La Land," $8.4 million ($16.6 million international).
6. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," $7 million ($9 million international).
7. "Monster Trucks," $7 million ($2.4 million international).
8. "Patriots Day," $6 million.
9. "The Founder," $3.8 million.
10. "Sleepless," $3.7 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to comScore:
1. "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage," $50.5 million.
2. "La La Land," $16.6 million.
3. "Passengers," $13.4 million.
4. "Moana," $12.9 million.
5. "The King," $10.5 million.
6. "Arrival," $9.8 million.
7. "Assassin's Creed," $9.2 million.
8. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," $9 million.
9. "Sing," $8.3 million.
10. "Confidential Assignment," $6.5 million.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More