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The Nun II Box Office Shocker
Much like the classic horror tales of the past, negative reviews failed to deter eager moviegoers from securing their tickets for “The Nun II.” This sequel to the 2018 hit, distributed to 3,728 theaters by Warner Bros., triumphantly claimed the top spot at the North American box office during its debut weekend, raking in an estimated $32.6 million, as reported by the studio on Sunday.
In the world of film criticism, AP’s Mark Kennedy didn’t pull any punches, offering a solitary star in his review and even suggesting that this installment might finally lay to rest the once-thriving franchise.
Despite such criticisms, audiences handed “The Nun II” a decent C+ CinemaScore. Yet, it’s worth noting that the horror genre seems impervious to the opinions of critics, especially when it comes to the all-important opening weekend.
While this Michael Graves-directed sequel, featuring Taissa Farmiga and Typhoon Reid, fell short of the first film’s spectacular $53.8 million debut, it still marked a solid release.
The “The Nun” movies are a part of the enormous Conjuring Universe, which has produced nine pictures and has amassed astounding global box office receipts of $2.1 billion. Notably, the sequel also performed admirably on the international stage, amassing $52.7 million across 69 markets, with Mexico emerging as the standout, contributing $8.9 million to the global debut, which now stands at an impressive $85.3 million.
Looking ahead, the autumn calendar promises a slew of chilling films, including “A Death in Venice,” set to open next week, followed by “Saw X” on September 29, and “The Exorcist: Believer” on October 6.
“The Nun II” managed to oust Denzel Washington’s “Equalizer Three” from its second-place position during its second weekend in theaters. The total domestic and foreign revenue for this Columbia Pictures production climbed by $12.1 million and now stands at $61.9 million and $107,7 million, respectively.
Claiming the third spot was a new entrant, the third installment of Nia Vardalos’s “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” a surprising return to the franchise 21 years after the original film became an unexpected sleeper hit, grossing a remarkable $369 million against a modest $5 million production budget.
Released by Focus Features in 3,650 theaters, the third installment earned an estimated $10 million, with the overwhelming majority of the audience being female (71%) and aged 25 or older (83%). Vardalos not only starred in the film but also wrote and directed it. Some critics were less than impressed, with AP’s Jocelyn Noveck likening it to “a thrice-warmed piece of baklava.”
In fourth place, the Indian revenge thriller “Jawan,” headlined by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, opened with $6.2 million from a limited 813 locations. The film was released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu and follows Khan’s previous box office sensation, “Pathaan,” which grossed a stunning $130 million internationally this year.
Finally, “Barbie,” which has held its own for eight consecutive weeks, slid to the fifth spot with $5.9 million from 3,281 locations. The Warner Bros. production has now amassed an impressive $620.5 million domestically.
These are the estimated ticket sales for the weekend at theaters in the United States and Canada, according to Comscore, with final figures set to be released on Monday.2. “The Equalizer 3,” $12.1 million.3. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,” $10 million.
1. “The Nun II,” $32.6 million.
2. “The Equalizer 3,” $12.1 million.
3. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,” $10 million.
4. “Jawan,” $6.2 million.
6. “Blue Beetle,” $3.8 million.
7. “Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story,” $3.4 million.
8. “Oppenheimer,” $3 million.
9. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” $2.6 million.