‘Halloween Ends’ Tops Box Office, Horror Genre Continues To Slash Competition

With Halloween right around the corner, it was yet another very strong weekend for the horror genre. Halloween Ends, the final film in the new David Gordon Green Halloween trilogy, topped box office scores this weekend, raking in $41.2 million. The Blumhouse, Miramax, and Universal picture was produced on a relatively modest budget of $30 million. And with an additional $17.7 globally, it was able to easily turn a profit in its first weekend.

Still, opening weekend did not go as hot as the studios hoped for. The slasher film, which features Jamie Lee Curtis returning one last time in her iconic role as Laurie Strode, was expected to at least hit the $50 million mark domestically, like its predecessor Halloween Kills did last year. The movie launching simultaneously on Peacock likely ate into its box office profit.

Meanwhile, Paramount can still be happy about their horror flick: Smile. The psychological thriller put up yet another strong showing, finishing with $12.3 million – for a total of 71.2M. Now in its third weekend, it took only a 33 percent dip from its surprise hold last weekend and has become the biggest surprise of October.

Amsterdam has reason to fear as it had another weak weekend finishing in fifth. It earned a tepid $2.9 million bringing its gross total to $12M domestically, for a movie with a $80 million budget. After costly film delays and an expensive marketing campaign, New Regency stands to lose up to $100 million on the quirky period piece.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile came in third after bringing in $7.4M in its second weekend. That is a 35 percent fall for the family friendly musical. In fourth, The Woman King earned Sony another $3.7M this weekend. That brings its total to $59.7M domestically and $76.5M worldwide after a string of five solid weekends.

Award seasons hopeful Tár entered into its second limited release weekend, grossing $360,000 in 36 theaters. Cate Blanchett plays a world renowned classical music composer embroiled in scandal in the critically acclaimed Todd Field drama. Another much anticipated drama, Till, hit $240,000 in its limited release. The historical drama follows Emmitt Till’s mother as she pursues justice after her son’s lynching. It opened in 16 theaters in five cities and will be expand to between 150 and 200 theaters next week. How both these movies do will be strong indicators of box office trends as we creep into awards season.

1. Halloween Ends 41.2M
2. Smile 12.4M
3. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile 7.4M
4. The Woman King 3.7M
5. Amsterdam 2.9M
6. Don’t Worry Darling 2.2M
7. Barbarian 1.4M
8. Bros 920K
9. Terrifier 2 850K
10. Top Gun Maverick 685K