Weekend box office: The Meg takes a bite out of Mission: Impossible – Fallout
I’m not sure whether or not THE MEG’s $40 million opening at the weekend box office is a surprise or if it’s what we should expect from a cheesy shark movie with a legitimate cast. JAWS aside, I’ve never understood the appeal of the shark movie, at least not in theaters. But audiences can’t get enough and that was proven by a strong international showing for THE MEG as well as an easy win at the domestic box office. But THE MEG wasn’t the only newcomer. We also got the horror film, SLENDER MAN, which did surprisingly well with nearly $12 million. That’s not a bad haul for a movie that doesn’t seem to have gotten much marketing. The other new movie was Spike Lee’s BLACKKKLANSMAN, which is flirting with $10 million. The film is getting great reviews and should have a nice run.
Next week sees the reteaming of star Mark Wahlberg and director Peter Berg in MILE 22. You can almost picture Mark Wahlberg praying the film is successful enough to merit a franchise. Unfortunately for him, I don’t think it will be as it looks like something we’ve seen before. But Wahlberg’s name should be enough to compete with THE MEG. However, I think both of them will be chasing CRAZY RICH ASIANS as the film sold out its sneak peeks and is getting good early reviews. I’m not sure the film could be considered a “sleeper hit”, but it reminds me of movies like MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING or even the first MAMMA MIA in that I think it will catch people by surprise with how good it is and how successful it’s going to be. Note: the numbers below will be updated as they become final.
1. The Meg $40m
2. Mission: Impossible – Fallout $19.2m
3. Christopher Robin $12.6m
4. Slender Man $11.8m
5. Blackkklansman $9.9m
6. The Spy Who Dumped Me $6.4m
7. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again $5.4m
8. Hotel Transylvania 3 $5.1m
9. Equalizer 2 $5.1m
10. Ant-Man and the Wasp $4.2m
(Deadline)
[fbcomments]