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AAA says nearly 44M people traveled 50 miles or more from home over Memorial Day weekend — but very few of them drove to the multiplexes to see FURIOSA.

The violent apocalyptic action adventure appealing only to older men wasn’t a holiday destination for most moviegoers, fizzling with $25.55M for three days. Hollywood handicappers expected a sizzling $40-45M. It’s the lowest grossing first place Memorial weekend opening since CASPER’s $22.1M for four days in 1995.

FURIOSA, which reportedly cost $168M, is the latest nail in Hollywood’s summer movie coffin. Although it finished first for three days, the real victory on a holiday weekend is for four days. FURIOSA & GARFIELD were running neck & neck for four days at $31M Sunday morning — per Sony for GARFIELD and media analysts for FURIOSA since WB isn’t releasing a number until Monday.

Comscore said the marketplace totaled $101.04M for three days, up 2.8% from the prior weekend and down 38% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $2.56B, down 22% from $3.26B in 2023. Last weekend, 2024 was down 21% vs. 2023.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: WB’s R rated sci-fi action adventure FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA’s $25.55M for three days was at 3,804 theatres ($6,717).

“The film earned $33.3M this weekend internationally,” per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, “plus $25.55M domestically for a global weekend of $58.85M in 76 markets total.”

Going into the weekend it was tracking well for first choice with men over 25 (nine points over norm), but no other demos wanted to see it. Rotten Tomatoes critics, however, are cheering at 89% and audiences are happy at 91%.

Sony/Alcon Entertainment’s PG animated comedy adventure THE GARFIELD MOVIE opened #2, Comscore said, with $24.78M for three days at 4,035 theatres ($6,140). Media pundits were figuring $35M. It reportedly cost just $60M.

“Overseas markets made $14.0M this weekend,” Comscore’s Dergarabedian said, “for a cume of $66.3M to push the global total through Sunday to $91.075M.”

It’s tracking best for first choice with women under 25 (three points over norm). Men under & over 25 are okay with two points over norm apiece. RT critics are appalled at 37%, but audiences are applauding at 83%.

As for next weekend: Expect a very quiet post-Memorial Day weekend at cinemas with two low profile openings and no powerful holdovers.

Roadshow Attractions PG-13 comedy SUMMER CAMP will debut at about 1,000 theatres. It stars Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates & Alfre Woodard. No RT scores yet. It’s tracking below norm with all demos. Pundits are buzzing about a $10-12M kick off.

Disney’s PG bio drama YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA, starring Daisy Ridley, is swimming into limited release. No tracking data or RT scores.