James Gunn’s Superman is exhibiting a relatively modest decline in its second weekend at the box office, with Deadline predicting a remarkable $57 million for its sophomore frame. This represents a decrease of approximately 54%, which is slightly higher than our earlier forecasts. These predictions were based on the film’s robust word-of-mouth buzz circulating online. Nevertheless, this drop is significantly healthier compared to recent high-grossing blockbusters; for instance, Thunderbolts experienced a 56% fall after a lackluster opening, and Captain America: Brave New World faced a steep 68% decline. The strong performance of Superman highlights its appeal among audiences, maintaining interest well into its second weekend.
Superman has already surpassed the impressive milestone of $200 million in domestic earnings, showcasing its popularity among moviegoers. However, international figures are still under wraps following what many industry analysts deemed a soft debut in overseas markets. The film’s performance raises questions about its potential to capture a broader global audience, especially as competition heats up with other releases. Overall, the domestic success indicates a solid fanbase, but the international reception will be crucial for its overall profitability and franchise potential.
Unfortunately, the box office landscape isn’t entirely positive this weekend.
Paramount’s highly anticipated Smurfs reboot, which was heavily marketed as a potential family blockbuster, is floundering significantly. It’s projected to open with a disappointing $12 million, a far cry from expectations. This outcome is particularly harsh given the film’s star-studded cast, which features Rihanna voicing Smurfette and contributing to the film’s soundtrack. With a summer that has seen family films like Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon outperforming expectations, audiences clearly did not show the same enthusiasm for the return of the Smurfs.
Additionally, another nostalgic revival, I Know What You Did Last Summer, is set to debut with a mere $13 million—an opening performance that falls short of the original film’s debut back in 1997. This is an alarming trend for the franchise, especially given the film has received a disappointing C+ CinemaScore. Our own critic, Tyler Nichols, echoed this sentiment, labeling it a significant letdown in comparison to its predecessors.
The horror genre, in general, is struggling this summer. Films like Bring Her Back, M3GAN 2.0, and 28 Years Later have all underperformed at the box office, possibly indicating that audiences are experiencing genre fatigue. As horror films have dominated the market in previous years, this shift may suggest a need for fresh ideas and innovative storytelling to reignite interest among viewers.
In a surprising turn, Ari Aster’s divisive film Eddington appears on track to open with less than $5 million, despite featuring a star-studded cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Roberts, and Austin Butler. The film’s polarizing nature may have contributed to its lackluster anticipation, showing that even high-profile projects can struggle to capture audience interest.
Stay tuned as we provide a comprehensive box office analysis tomorrow, diving deeper into the trends and performances of this weekend’s releases!
