The eagerly-awaited horror follow-up, “The Nun 2,” directed by Michael Chaves, achieved its opening weekend target with earnings of $32 million. Although this figure is 39% less than the $53.8 million made by “The Nun,” various factors involving its main actors influenced the production’s event-wise debut. The sequel’s budget before P&A amounted to $38.5 million. Despite the lower earnings in comparison to its predecessor, “The Nun 2” still managed to make a significant impact, with the performances of its lead actors garnering positive reviews from critics and the audience alike. Furthermore, the film is expected to generate additional revenue in the coming weeks, invariably offsetting the discrepancies in its production costs and opening weekend earnings.
Year-Over-Year Box Office Boost Fueled by Horror Film Success
In comparison to the previous year when Disney launched a 20th Century/Regency horror film with a disappointing overall weekend box office totaling $43.1 million, Warner Bros. has contributed to a stronger marketplace performance. Currently, this weekend is predicted to reach $88 million, representing a 104% increase compared to a year earlier. This significant boost can be attributed to the success of Warner Bros.’ recent releases, capturing the attention of audiences and driving them to theaters with high-quality content. Moreover, the growing interest in the horror genre and effective marketing strategies have played a major role in bringing about this impressive surge in box office earnings.
The Nun 2 Commands Over a Third of Weekend’s Attendance
EntTelligence reported that “The Nun 2” had 2.3 million viewers over three days, accounting for over one-third of the weekend’s attendance. This impressive viewership indicates the high demand and interest for the sequel to 2018’s horror hit, “The Nun.” Furthermore, the film’s success has boosted overall box office returns, positively impacting the industry.
Social Media Buzz Boosts Anticipation and Box Office Success
Prior to the opening, social media analytics firm RelishMix noted that the movie’s social media presence was just under 150 million across various platforms, positioning it in line with other horror follow-ups. Following its release, the film continued to gain momentum online, attracting audiences and generating buzz within the horror community. This impressive social media presence led to increased anticipation and ultimately, contributed to the movie’s box office success.
Critics Note Improvements in Plot and Character Development
The film was rated C+, slightly better than the original and on par with the average horror movie. Critics have noted that the sequel’s improvements include a more cohesive plot and engaging character development. However, some argue that the scare factor could have been heightened to differentiate it from its predecessor and truly elevate the experience for horror enthusiasts.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Earns $3.7 Million on Friday
In addition, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” by Focus Features, directed by Nia Vardalos, earned $3.7 million on Friday and held steady on Saturday for a total of 3,650 openings, ranking it in third place. The romantic comedy, which boasts an engaging ensemble cast, has been warmly received by audiences and critics alike, further solidifying Vardalos’ reputation as a versatile writer, director, and actor. With its stellar performance at the box office this weekend, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” seems set to become another beloved installment in the popular franchise.
Fierce Competition as Films Vie for Top Spot
This puts the film behind Sony’s “The Equalizer 3” during its second weekend, which made $12.1 million. In comparison, the action-packed “The Equalizer 3” managed to maintain a strong audience response, thereby solidifying its position in the box office. This demonstrates the fierce competition among the film industry, as movies constantly vie for the top spot in terms of revenue and popularity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did “The Nun 2” make during its opening weekend?
“The Nun 2” made $32 million during its opening weekend, which is 39% less than the $53.8 million made by “The Nun.”
What improvements did critics note in “The Nun 2” compared to the original?
Critics have noted a more cohesive plot and engaging character development as improvements in “The Nun 2” compared to the original.
How did social media impact the performance of “The Nun 2”?
A strong social media presence, with just under 150 million followers across various platforms, contributed to increased anticipation and the overall box office success of “The Nun 2.”
What was the total weekend box office for the previous year?
The total weekend box office was $43.1 million for the previous year when Disney launched a 20th Century/Regency horror film.
How much did “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” make on its opening day?
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” earned $3.7 million on its opening day, with a total of 3,650 openings, ranking it in third place.
How did “The Equalizer 3” perform in comparison to “The Nun 2”?
“The Equalizer 3” made $12.1 million during its second weekend, outperforming “The Nun 2” and solidifying its position in the box office.
First Reported on: deadline.com
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Faria; Pexels; Thank you!
