ZAMM.COM

It was a Livelier weekend than expected.

Hollywood buzz-ards originally anticipated a $25-35M launch for Sony’s PG-13 romantic drama IT ENDS WITH US, starring Blake Lively (also a producer) & Justin Baldoni (also the director). Those estimates increased to $40-45M before soaring to $50M, per Comscore, at 3,611 theatres ($13,847).

That puts US #2 and solidly on track to profitability with its modest $25M budget. Also boosting US’s success are international ticket sales of $30M, bringing its worldwide cume to $80M.

US is tracking best and equally well for first choice with women under & over 25 (each four points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics may be soft at 59%, but audiences love it at 94%.

Lively’s success in bringing Colleen Hoover’s character Lily Bloom to life will also breathe new life into romantic movies as a theatrical genre. US is also helping exhibitors by pumping up the already healthy August boxoffice, which has benefitted bigtime from DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, starring Lively’s superstar husband, Ryan Reynolds, and their bestie Hugh Jackman!

Driven by both D&W and US, this weekend’s domestic marketplace totaled $158.6M, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, down 8% from the prior weekend, but up 34% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $5.25B, down 16% from $6.24B in 2023. The previous weekend, 2024 was down 16% vs. 2023.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: Disney/Marvel’s DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE stayed #1 in weekend three with $54.2M (-44%) at 4,330 theatres ($12,512), per Comscore. D&W, which reportedly cost $200M to produce, has done $494.3M domestic and $1.03B worldwide.

Universal/WB/Amblin Entertainment’s PG-13 action adventure thriller “TWISTERS” was #3 with $15M (-34%) in weekend four via Universal at 3,611 theatres ($4,094). TWISTERS, which reportedly cost $155M to produce, has done $222.3M domestic and $310.1M worldwide.

Lionsgate’s PG-13 BORDERLANDS, based on the hit video game, opened #4 to $8.8M at 3,125 theatres ($2,816). BORDERLANDS, whose all-star cast is led by Cate Blanchett & Kevin Hart, reportedly cost $115M to produce. Lionsgate reportedly reduced its financial exposure significantly via international pre-sales.

Rotten Tomatoes critics are deadly at 9% and audiences are unhappy at 50%. It’s tracking best for first choice with men under & over 25 (each equal to norm). Hollywood handicappers expected $20-25M.

As for next weekend: Disney/20th Century Studios has the weekend’s only new wide studio release — Scott Free Productions’ ALIEN: ROMULUS. It’s a reboot of producer Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi classic.

Pundits are projecting a $35-40M opening at about 3,500 theatres. It’s tracking best for first choice with men over 25 (two points over norm) and next best with women over 25 (equal to norm).