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This weekend’s best new movie wasn’t playing in theatres.

DISNEY+’s documentary MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS started streaming 11/1 with no theatrical runs. It did, however, have an AFI Fest special screening in Hollywood with Steven Spielberg introducing the film and saluting the legendary composer.

WILLIAMS, directed by Laurent Bouzereau (FAYE), scored a 100% rating with Rotten Tomatoes critics. We’ll never know how theatrical audiences would have responded to this docu where filmmakers like Spielberg, George Lucas, Ron Howard, James Mangold & Chris Columbus discuss the impact of Wiliams’ music on their movies.

Williams’ 400+ composing credits include such scores as JAWS, STAR WARS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, SUPERMAN, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, HOME ALONE — and too many more to list here.

Exhibitors also struck out this weekend on playing Clint Eastwood’s PG-13 thriller JUROR #2, from WB/Malpaso Productions. J2, starring Nicholas Hoult, was only in 35 cinemas and the buzz is it did well with about $270K. It reportedly cost $30M to produce. WB didn’t  release any boxoffice numbers and insiders say it’s not planning an Oscar campaign. Rotten Tomatoes critics love J2 at 92% Certified Fresh.

This weekend’s domestic marketplace totaled $73.6M, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, down 23.2% from the prior weekend, but up 15% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $687.B, down 11.4% from $7.75B in 2023. The previous weekend, 2024 was also down 11.4% vs. 2023.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: The weekend’s only wide studio opening, Sony/Miramax’s HERE opened #5, per Comscore,  to $5M at 2,647 theatres ($1,889). For Sony it’s a domestic distribution deal.

Hollywood handicappers expected a $7M debut for the PG-13 drama, which reportedly cost $45-50M to produce. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (FORREST GUMP), it stars Tom Hanks & Robin Wright. It’s tracking for first choice below norm with all demo groups. Rotten Tomatoes critics are a grim 36% and audiences hate it at 57%.

Sony/Marvel’s VENOM: THE LAST DANCE was #1 again in weekend two with $26.1M, down only 49%, at 4,131 theatres ($6,318), per Comscore. It’s done $90M domestic and $317.1M. V3 reportedly cost $120M to produce.

Universal/Dreamworks Animation’s family audience hit THE WILD ROBOT was #2 in weekend six with $7.6M — up an amazing 11% — at 3,231  theatres ($2,337). WILD’s done $121.5M domestic and $269.1M worldwide.

Next weekend (11/8): The only live action big studio launch is Lionsgate’s PG family comedy THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER at about 2,750 theatres. It’s tracking for first choice below norm with all demo groups. Rotten Tomatoes audiences are cheering at 99%!