After a couple of slow weekends to start 2022 for new releases, business looks to pick up over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. The ghostface killer is back in Scream [SCRM5], the fifth film in the R-rated horror franchise. Neve Campbell reprises her lead role in a sequel that doesn’t want to be called a sequel. The new Scream arrives 11 years after Scream 4, which also came out 11 years after the previous installment. Scream 4 debuted with $18.7 million, a disappointment considering Scream 3’s $34.7 million opening. Based on Scream’s advance ticket sales, the fanbase are apparently eager to return to Westboro. Dialing up 3661 theaters, Scream could ring in $29 million over the 4-day weekend.
After 4 weeks at the top, Spider-Man: No Way Home [SPID8.BW] will settle for second place at around $18 million.
Despite being available on VOD, Sing 2 [SING2] should still have a decent performance over the holiday weekend with about $8.5 million.
The Japanese anime Belle [BELE] is the weekend’s second wide opener. The PG-rated film has earned rave reviews since premiering at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and became last year's third-highest grossing film in Japan. Buzz and anticipation are high among anime fans. Two years ago, GKIDS opened Weathering with You in 486 theaters to $2.2 million over the MLK long weekend with an additional $3 million from Wednesday and Thursday. Advance ticket sales for Belle are strong especially for higher-priced IMAX screenings, which began on Wednesday and are likely to be rolled into the weekend box office. Booked in 1300+ theaters, Belle could clear $5 million.
After a poor start, The 355 [355] will likely face a steep decline with a sophomore session around $3 million through Monday.
The King’s Man [KTSS3] will continue its strong hold during its fourth weekend and earn $2.5 million over the 4-day weekend.
That's the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): SCRM5, SING2, BELE, 355, KTSS3