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Between them, this weekend’s three openings pumped just $24M into the multiplexes.

It was another blah frame for exhibitors eager to see signs of life at the boxoffice. Hollywood handicappers are buzzing that it could start 5/3 with Universal/87North’s PG-13 action comedy drama directed by David Leitch (JOHN WICK) and starring Ryan Gosling & Emily Blunt. It’s tracking best for first choice with under-25 males (two points over norm). Some pundits have it opening to $60M or more at about 4,000 theatres.

This weekend’s overall marketplace, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, totaled $65.4M, down 14.4% from the prior weekend and down 49% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $1.98B, down 19% from $2.43B in 2023.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: A24’s controversial R rated action thriller CIVIL WAR held on well to first place in weekend two with $11.1M
(-56.43%) at 3,929 theatres ($2,832). It’s done $44.9M domestic.

Universal/Project X Entertainment’s R rated horror thriller ABIGAIL opened #2 to $10.2M at 3,384 theatres ($3,014). It’s tracking best with women under 25 (three points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics are happy at 83% and audiences are loving it at 88%. It reportedly cost $28M to produce.

As for the other openings: Lionsgate/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ R rated action war drama THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE opened #4 to $9M at 2,845 theatres in the U.S. ($3,163). Amazon will distribute it in Canada. It’s tracking below norm with all demos. Rotten Tomatoes critics are a soft 73%, but audiences are cheering at 94%, which should mean good word of mouth. It reportedly cost $60M to produce.

Sony/Crunchyroll’s PG-13 anime action comedy SPY X FAMILY CODE: WHITE was fifth with $4.9M at 2,009 theatres ($2,427). It’s tracking best with men under 25 (three points over norm) and below norm with all other demos. It’s a huge hit, however, on Rotten Tomatoes with critics at 96% and audiences at 99%.

As for next weekend: There’s a 45th anniversary reissue of ALIEN from Disney/20th Century and a 25th anniversary reissue of THE MUMMY from Universal.

MGM/Amazon Studios’ R rated romantic drama CHALLENGERS is  directed by Luca Guadagnino and stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor & Mike Faist. It’s opening at about 3,000 theatres. It’s tracking best for first choice with women under 25 (two points over norm) and below norm with all other demos. It’s a hit with Rotten Tomatoes critics at 95% Certified Fresh.

Lionsgate’s R rated action thriller “BOY KILLS WORLD” is opening at about 2,500 theatres. It’s tracking below norm for first choice with all demos. It’s a weak 71% with Rotten Tomatoes’ critics. No audience score yet.

Lionsgate’s PG faith based family drama “UNSUNG HERO” is opening at about 2,600 theatres. It’s tracking below norm for first choice with all demos. No Rotten Tomatoes scores yet.