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It was a SWIFT boxoffice victory for AMC Theatres Distribution.

Unfortunately for AMC/Variance Films and other exhibitors playing TAYLOR SWIFT: THE OFFICIAL RELEASE PARTY OF A SHOWGIRL, it’s just a dead-end one weekend run.

Nonetheless, SWIFT’s bonus launch to $33M (per Comscore) helped sell lots of popcorn, candy & soda at 3,702 locations ($8,914). The 89 minute event film’s theatrical release was timed to promote Swift’s new album “The Life of a Showgirl.” It also did $13M internationally for a worldwide cume of $46M. Rotten Tomatoes audiences are dancing in the aisles at 98%.

The unexpected SWIFT competition — Swift only announced its release 9/19 on her social media — helped derail A24’s R rated bio-drama THE SMASHING MACHINE, by taking away many of its premium large format screens.

Directed by Benny Safdie (GOOD TIME), MACHINE stars Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt. It opened #3 to $6M, per Comscore, at 3,345  theatres ($1,794). Its soft landing follows a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival that received a 15 minute standing ovation and saw Safdie win the Silver Lion best directing award.

MACHINE’s tracking best for first choice with under-25 men (two points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics are a blah 74% and audiences are a so-so 78%. BUDGET BUZZ: $50M to produce.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: The one-week 3D reissue of James Cameron’s 2022 PG-13 action adventure fantasy AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, from 20th Century Studios/Lightstorm Entertainment, opened #7  to $3.2M at 2,140 theatres ($1,493), per Comscore.

Domestic ticket sales this weekend were $82.3M, according to Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian. That’s up 6.7% from the prior weekend and down 8% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2025 at $6.67B, up 3.98% from $6.42B in 2024. The prior weekend showed 2025 up 4.21% vs. last year. Back on 6/8, Comscore had 2025 up 26.08%.

Next weekend (10/10) 🐝🐝🐝🐝: Disney’s PG-13 sci-fi action adventure TRON: ARES is opening at about 3,800 theatres. It’s tracking best for first choice with men over 25 (11 points over norm).

Directed by Joachim Rønning (MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL), ARES stars Jared Leto.

The PG-13 crime bio-drama ROOFMAN, from Paramount/Hunting Lane Films, is opening at about 3,100 theatres. It’s tracking for first choice below norm for all demos. Rotten Tomatoes critics are thumbs up at 82%.

Directed by Derek Cianfrance (THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS), it stars include Channing Tatum & Kirsten Dunst.

Sony/Branded Pictures Entertainment’s PG bio-drama SOUL ON FIRE is opening at about 1,300 theatres. Directed by Sean McNamara (SOUL SURFER), its stars include William H. Macy & John Corbett. SOUL’s tracking for first choice below norm for all demos.