Current:Home > StocksCharles H. Sloan-‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again -Capitatum
Charles H. Sloan-‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again
Chainkeen Exchange View
Date:2025-04-07 02:35:28
NEW YORK (AP) — “Venom: The Charles H. SloanLast Dance” has been no blockbuster in North American theaters. But in a lethargic fall moviegoing season, even a so-so performing superhero sequel can rule the box office for three straight weeks.
For the third weekend in a row, “Venom: The Last Dance” was the No. 1 movie at the box office, collecting $16.2 million in ticket sales in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It fended off a pair of new challengers in the Hugh Grant horror thriller “Heretic” and the feel-good holiday movie “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
With the election on Tuesday, the major studios opted not to put any new releases into theaters. That allowed Sony Pictures’ “Venom: The Last Dance,” the third entry in the Tom Hardy-led franchise, to hold its position.
While “The Last Dance” hasn’t been a huge hit domestically — opening below expectations in late October — it has thrived overseas, grossing almost triple what it has in North America. The “Venom” sequel has grossed $279.4 million internationally, bringing its global total to $394.2 million.
“Heretic” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” were neck and neck for second place. Counting only Friday-Sunday ticket sales, the edge went to “Heretic,” which debuted with $11 million. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” though, factored in $2.2 million in sneak-peak screenings from last weekend to claim a reported opening gross of $11.1 million.
A24’s “Heretic,” directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, follows two Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who knock on the door of a man (Grant) they’ll regret trying to evangelize to. Though “Heretic” has been critically acclaimed for the darkest turn yet by Grant, audiences were less impressed, giving it a “C+” CinemaScore. Regardless, with a budget under $10 million, “Heretic” will easily turn a profit.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” released by Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, which specializes in Christian entertainment, is about six siblings with a bad reputation who take over the local church pageant. The film, an adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s book directed by Dallas Jenkins, did well with audiences, who gave it a “A” CinemaScore. It, too, was modestly budgeted at about $10 million.
In its seventh week of release, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” continues to show little rust in theaters. It landed in fourth place with $6.6 million, bringing its domestic haul to $130.2 million and its worldwide gross to $292 million.
Sean Baker’s acclaimed “Anora,” starring Mikey Madison as a Brooklyn sex worker, expanded into wide release. The Neon film, an expected best-picture contender, collected $2.4 million in 1,104 theaters. Its four-week total stands at $7.2 million.
The papal thriller “Conclave,” starring Ralph Fiennes, continues to perform exceptionally well for an adult-oriented drama. The Focus Features release, in its third weekend of release, added 487 theaters and dipped a modest 19% to earn $4.1 million. It has collected $21.5 million. Similarly, A24’s “We Live in Time,” starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, has stayed strong, grossing $2.2 million in its fifth weekend for a $21.8 million total.
Overall ticket sales, though, remain sluggish. Box office is running about 11% behind last year, according to Comscore. In the last two weeks, overall ticket sales are down about 50% from the pre-pandemic average, according to David A. Gross, a film consultant who publishes a newsletter for Franchise Entertainment.
The good news for theaters: The next few weeks are lined up for several big new releases, including the Amazon MGM Christmas comedy “Red One” (Nov. 15), Paramount Pictures’ “Gladiator II” (Nov. 22), Universal’s “Wicked” (also Nov. 22) and the Walt Disney Co.’s “Moana 2” (Nov. 27).
“Better late than never is the rule of the day and we can expect some positive success stories coming out of the Thanksgiving corridor, which looks the be on par with some of the biggest such frames over the past many years,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore.
Before opening in U.S. theaters, “Red One,” starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, kicked off in 75 overseas markets, collecting $26.6 million. The film carries a hefty price tag of about $250 million to make.
Final domestic figures will be released Monday. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore, are:
1. “Venom: The Last Dance,” $16.2 million.
2. “Heretic,” $11 million.
3. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” $8.9 million.
4. “The Wild Robot,” $6.7 million.
5. “Smile 2,” $5 million.
6. “Conclave,” $4.1 million.
7. “Anora,” $2.5 million.
8. “Here,” $2.4 million.
9. “We Live in Time,” $2.2 million.
10. “Terrifier 3,” $1.4 million.
veryGood! (8348)
Related
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- For the first time, more money is going into solar power than oil
- First Daughter Ashley Biden Reveals Her Mantra For Dealing with Criticism of Her Family
- Blinken planning to travel to China soon for high-level talks
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- Shop the Best New March 2023 Beauty Launches From Shiseido, Dermalogica, OUAI & More
- Kerry Washington Unveils Memoir Cover and Shares How She Got in Touch With Her True Self
- Jennifer Aniston Teases Twists and Turns in The Morning Show Season 3
- The 'Rebel Ridge' trailer is here: Get an exclusive first look at Netflix movie
- India train accident that killed nearly 300 people caused by signal system error, official says
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Kit Connor’s Fitness Transformation Will Stop Your Heart
- Shop 17 Joanna Buchanan Home Goods That Are Whimsical, Wonderful & Totally You
- Navy releases video of U.S. destroyer's close call with Chinese warship in Taiwan Strait
- IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
- Man killed by 40 crocodiles that pounced on him after he fell into enclosure in Cambodia
- U.S. suspends temporary cease-fire in Sudan, announces new sanctions
- French classic Citroen 2CV car made of wood fetches record price at auction, and it even runs
Recommendation
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
Rwanda genocide fugitive Fulgence Kayishema, accused of killing 2,000 in church massacre, arrested
Killer whales are ramming into boats and damaging them. The reason remains a mystery.
TLC's Jazz Jennings and Gabe Paboga Detail the Beauty and Terror of Being Transgender on TV
Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
Man admits killing French woman in drunken shooting game involving hunting rifle, bullet-proof vest
Why June 2023's full moon is called the strawberry moon — and what it will look like when it lights up the night
Destruction from Russia's war on Ukraine revealed in new before and after satellite images