ZAMM.COM

MARTIN GROVE’S HOLLYWOOD REPORT FOR 11/10/24:  Hollywood’s been tossing away weekends all year, but the four-day Veterans Day holiday could have sparked some badly needed foot traffic at the multiplexes.

Although TV ad prices spiked because of the election, this weekend was still worth using because it can deliver big boxoffice bucks — like in 2022 when Disney/Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER opened 11/11 to $181.3M.

It won’t be until 11/22, when Universal/Marc Platt Productions’ WICKED opens, that we’ll see the kind of grosses exhibition needs to survive. Hollywood handicappers are buzzing about WICKED debuting to $80M or more. It’s tracking best for first choice with over 25 women (16 points over norm).

The same weekend will also bring Paramount/Scott Free Productions’  GLADIATOR II with what analysts say will be $65M or more in ticket sales. It’s tracking best for first choice with men over 25 (14 points over norm). Nov. 22’s two big openings will pump $145M or more into the boxoffice and exhibs will also have tasty concession stand revenues to help keep the lights on.

More multiplex millions will roll in for Thanksgiving (11/27) with Disney’s MOANA 2, which insiders see nailing $135M or more for five days.

This weekend’s domestic marketplace totaled $70.6M, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, down 4.8% from the prior weekend and down 20% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $6.97B, down 11.2% from $7.85B in 2023. The previous weekend in 2024 was down 11.4% vs. 2023.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: The only live action studio launch this weekend, Lionsgate/Comworld Productions’ PG faith-based family comedy THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, opened in a close race for second place, per Comscore, to $11.1M at 3,020 theatres ($3,675). BEST reportedly cost under $10M to produce. It’s tracking for first choice below norm with all demo groups. Rotten Tomatoes critics like it at 89%, but audiences are cheering at 98%.

A24’s R rated horror thriller HERETIC, starring Hugh Grant, was in a close race for #2 with $11M at 3,221 theatres ($3,420), per Comscore. It’s tracking for first choice below norm with all demo groups. Rotten Tomatoes critics are applauding at 92%, but audiences are less excited at 78%.

Sony/Marvel’s VENOM: THE LAST DANCE held on to #1 in weekend three with $16.2M (-37%) at 3,905 theatres ($4,155). It reportedly cost $120M to produce and has done $114.8M domestic.

Next weekend (11/15): The weekend’s only wide studio opening is Amazon/MGM Studios’ RED ONE. starring Dwayne Johnson & Chris Evans. It’s tracking best for first choice with men over 25 (four points over norm) and next best with women over 25 (one point over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics hate it at 34%.