It: Chapter Two delivered another win for Warner Brothers and New Line with a second consecutive number one finish at the weekend box office.
Pennywise accounted for an estimated $40.7 million, beating newcomer Hustlers by a wide margin, which earned an estimated $33.2 million in second place. Hustlers had the upper hand on Friday (mainly due to Thursday preview sales, which are always included in Friday totals), but that pesky clown scared enough people into the the theater on Saturday and Sunday to take the crown once again.
It: Chapter Two is now up to a robust $153 million in ten days, but the sequel actually trails the original It film by over $65 million in ticket sales. Warner/New Line have nothing to complain about with the numbers Chapter Two is delivering, but the gap does suggest that fans may not be as gaga over It as they were two years ago. As reported last week, the run time of the film may also be curbing some of the profits, as longer films equate to less showtimes in theaters around the country. Overseas, It: Chapter Two has banked over $169 million (with Mexico leading the way with $10 million in tickets sold), for a worldwide total of $323 million in sales.
Next week, It: Chapter Two will see more competition for box office dollars, as Brad Pitt’s sci-fi film Ad Astra opens, along with the big screen debut of Downton Abbey and, believe it or not, Rambo: Last Blood. Horror fans may also choose to spend their time and money on Rob Zombie’s latest film (once again going the Fathom Events route) 3 From Hell, which will screen on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with one showing each night in select theaters.
Check back next week for another box office recap, and a review of Zombie’s aforementioned sequel to The Devil’s Rejects, and don’t forget to consult your handy Horror News Network Fall Horror Movie Guide for all the upcoming releases.
