This weekend, two iconic murderous clowns will vie for dominance at the box office as “Terrifier 3” and “Joker: Folie à Deux” aim for the number one position on domestic charts.
Early projections suggest a significant decline in ticket sales for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” expected to drop between 60% to 65% in its second weekend, potentially earning between $13 million and $15 million. However, box office analysts predict a more pessimistic scenario, with estimates ranging from a 70% to 75% drop, which could see revenues plummet to as low as $9 million to $11 million. The sequel to the acclaimed 2019 film, which debuted with a disappointing $37.6 million, has struggled with unfavorable reviews and negative word-of-mouth.
In light of these projections, “Terrifier 3” may capitalize on “Joker 2’s” misfortunes. The third installment of the “Terrifier” franchise is anticipated to earn between $10 million and $13 million from 2,514 theaters in its opening weekend, marking a strong start for the low-budget, ultra-gory slasher film.
Additionally, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” is also in contention for the top spot, expected to generate $12 million to $13 million in its third weekend. So far, the family-friendly film has accumulated $65.4 million domestically and $102 million globally.
The “Terrifier” series has come a long way since the original film, which opened to just $123,957 and concluded its run with $419,000 in 2016. The franchise gained traction with its sequel, “Terrifier 2,” which opened to $805,000 and grossed an impressive $10 million domestically and $15.7 million worldwide. Directed once again by Damien Leone, “Terrifier 3” features the terrifying Art the Clown returning to wreak havoc on a small town, this time waiting until Christmas to unleash his carnage. The film has received unexpectedly positive reviews for a slasher, boasting an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Distributed by Iconic Releasing, the film has yet to receive a rating from the Motion Picture Association.
Conversely, “Joker: Folie à Deux” has faced a shocking downturn, especially given the success of its predecessor, which earned over $1 billion and won multiple Oscars. The original “Joker” was produced on a budget of around $60 million, while the sequel carries a hefty price tag of $200 million due to high compensation for director Todd Phillips and stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. For “Folie à Deux” to break even, it needs to earn at least $450 million, according to industry insiders.
Meanwhile, several new nationwide releases are expected to aim for modest earnings. Sony’s “Saturday Night,” focusing on the debut broadcast of “Saturday Night Live,” is projected to earn between $3.5 million and $5 million from 2,300 theaters. After two weekends in limited release, the $30 million-budgeted film, directed by Jason Reitman, has grossed $629,000.
The documentary “Piece By Piece,” which tells Pharrell Williams’ life story using Lego animation, is targeting $5 million to $7 million from 1,851 locations. This $16 million-budgeted film is directed by Morgan Neville, known for acclaimed documentaries like “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and “20 Feet From Stardom.”
Lastly, “The Apprentice,” a biographical drama starring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump, is expected to earn between $1 million and $3 million from 1,740 theaters. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, traces Trump’s rise in business and his relationship with the notorious New York prosecutor Roy Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong. Trump has publicly criticized “The Apprentice,” with his camp threatening legal action, asserting that the film is “pure fiction” that sensationalizes previously debunked lies.
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