[Editor’s note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly encourage individuals to check with the recommendations of public health officials andCDC safety guidelinesbefore seeing a movie in a theater.]
It has been a little over five months since we lastreported on box office newsas the U.S. has grappled with the global pandemic. The months-long shutdown has sent the theatrical exhibition side of our industry into a downward spiral, with financial woes consistently visiting theater chains including AMC and Regal Cinemas. Now, the final week of August is serving as a grand reopening of sorts, with 20th Century Studios’The New Mutantsreceivinga theatrical releasein a limited number of domestic picture houses across the country now opening their doors to returning theatergoers.
20th Century Studios reportsThe New Mutantsbrought in a total of $7 million domestic in its opening weekend. TheX-Menspinoff starringAnya Taylor-Joy,Maisie Williams,Charlie Heaton,Blu Hunt, andHenry Zagawas shown in 2,412 locations across the country.The New Mutantskicked off its opening weekend with $750,000 domestic earned in Thursday night early screenings, eventually rising to $3.1 million by Saturday. Currently, only 62% of the domestic market is currently open for business, with major cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and New York City still closed down and thus making a big impact onNew Mutants' earnings as well as any other movie showing stateside.
Overseas,The New Mutantsearned $2.9 million from 10 territories, resulting in a $9.9 million global total for theJosh Boone-directed flick. Key territories include France ($1.1M), Spain ($0.5M), Taiwan ($0.4M), and Thailand ($0.3M). Additional markets opening in the first weekend of September include (but are not limited to) Italy, UK, Russia, Australia, Mexico along with Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, and Israel.
Coming in second place this weekend is theRussell Croweroad-rage thrillerUnhinged, which earned $2.6 million in its second weekend, bringing its domestic total up to $8.8 million. At number three is theCollider-approved threequelBill & Ted Face the Music. The new movie seesKeanu ReevesandAlex Winterreprise their roles as BFFs Bill and Ted, now grown up but still in charge of saving the world with their music.Bill & Ted Face the Musicsimultaneously debuted in select theaters and drive-in locations and digitally. It earned $1.06 million domestically from 1,007 screens while the digital earnings remain unclear.
Coming in fourth place is theDev Patel-ledThe Personal History of David Copperfield, a wry adaptation of theCharles Dickenstale from directorArmando Iannucci.David Copperfield’s first weekend in U.S. theaters saw the movie open on 1,360 screens total and pocket $520,000. Fingers crossed the Patel-Iannucci picture will get a box office boost when it adds 1,000 screens over Labor Day weekend. Finally, behindDavid CopperfieldisWords on Bathroom Walls, the teen drama starringCharlie PlummerandTaylor Russell. The Roadside Attractions feature, originally released on August 21, earned a little over $453,000 domestic through Sunday from 1,356 locations.
Next weekend will be an even bigger weekend at the box office.Christopher Nolan’sTenetfinally makes its domestic debut after numerous release date delays and Disney’sMulangets a digital release on Disney+. Keep your eye on this space because anything can happen as the box office gets back on its feet in the coming weeks.
The New Mutantsis now showing in theaters. For more, please seeCollider’s official statement on covering moviesreceiving a theatrical release during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Allie Gemmill is the Weekend Contributing Editor for Collider. you may follow them on Twitter@_matineeidle.
