logo
'Weapons' battles to top of North American box office

'Weapons' battles to top of North American box office

eNCA2 days ago
LOS ANGELES - "Weapons," a new horror film about the mysterious disappearance of a group of children from the same school class, opened atop the North American box office with $42.5-million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday.
"This is an outstanding opening for an original horror film," analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research said of the Warner Bros. movie starring Julia Garner ("Ozark") and Josh Brolin ("Avengers: Infinity War").
Debuting in second place was Disney's "Freakier Friday" starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2003 family film in which body-switching leads to amusing hijinks, at $29-million, Exhibitor Relations said.
"This is an excellent opening. The estimated weekend figure is well above average for a comedy follow-up sequel, and it's also well above the first film's opening 22 years ago," Gross said.
"The Fantastic Four: First Steps," Disney's debut of the rebooted Marvel Comics franchise, dropped to third place at $15.5-million. Its overall take in the United States and Canada stands at $230.4-million.
Actor-of-the-moment Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Emmy-winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn star as the titular team of superheroes, who must save a retro-futuristic world from the evil Galactus.
Universal's family-friendly animation sequel "The Bad Guys 2," about a squad of goofy animal criminals actually doing good in their rebranded lives, dropped to fourth, earning $10.4-million.
Finishing out the top five was Paramount's reboot of "Naked Gun," a slapstick comedy starring Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr, son of the bumbling police lieutenant from the original 1980s movie and related television series "Police Squad!"
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Weapons' battles to top of North American box office
'Weapons' battles to top of North American box office

eNCA

time2 days ago

  • eNCA

'Weapons' battles to top of North American box office

LOS ANGELES - "Weapons," a new horror film about the mysterious disappearance of a group of children from the same school class, opened atop the North American box office with $42.5-million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday. "This is an outstanding opening for an original horror film," analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research said of the Warner Bros. movie starring Julia Garner ("Ozark") and Josh Brolin ("Avengers: Infinity War"). Debuting in second place was Disney's "Freakier Friday" starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2003 family film in which body-switching leads to amusing hijinks, at $29-million, Exhibitor Relations said. "This is an excellent opening. The estimated weekend figure is well above average for a comedy follow-up sequel, and it's also well above the first film's opening 22 years ago," Gross said. "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," Disney's debut of the rebooted Marvel Comics franchise, dropped to third place at $15.5-million. Its overall take in the United States and Canada stands at $230.4-million. Actor-of-the-moment Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Emmy-winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn star as the titular team of superheroes, who must save a retro-futuristic world from the evil Galactus. Universal's family-friendly animation sequel "The Bad Guys 2," about a squad of goofy animal criminals actually doing good in their rebranded lives, dropped to fourth, earning $10.4-million. Finishing out the top five was Paramount's reboot of "Naked Gun," a slapstick comedy starring Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr, son of the bumbling police lieutenant from the original 1980s movie and related television series "Police Squad!"

Jamie Lee Curtis defends 'Freakier Friday' after scathing review
Jamie Lee Curtis defends 'Freakier Friday' after scathing review

The South African

time2 days ago

  • The South African

Jamie Lee Curtis defends 'Freakier Friday' after scathing review

Jamie Lee Curtis has spoken out against the harsh review of Freakier Friday , the sequel to the 2003 hit Freaky Friday. The film, starring Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reprising their roles, has been mostly well-received. It holds a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an even stronger 94% audience score. However, Time magazine's review was sharply critical, calling the film a 'cash-grab' with 'ugly costumes' and 'humiliating scenarios', according to Screen Rant. Curtis responded on Instagram, calling the review 'a tad harsh' and adding, 'SOME people LOVE it. I'm one.' Her reaction shows her strong support for the film and the hard work behind it, despite mixed criticism. Freakier Friday continues the story more than two decades later. Anna, now a mother and soon-to-be stepmother, experiences a complicated family adventure through a four-way body swap. The film balances comedy with heartfelt moments, appealing to both fans of the original and new viewers. Fans might appreciate that the film has had a strong global opening, making about $45 million (roughly R 900 million), matching its production budget. This suggests it resonates well with families seeking fun, relatable entertainment. Jamie Lee Curtis summed it up well: 'Nobody sets out to make a bad movie. Even films that don't work involve a huge amount of hard work. While the review stings, it shouldn't overshadow the positive response.' Her words remind us that film enjoyment is subjective and that the overall warm reception outweighs the negative voices. For those wanting a light-hearted, nostalgic comedy, Freakier Friday is a charming return to a beloved franchise. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Robert Pattinson returns as Batman in highly anticipated sequel
Robert Pattinson returns as Batman in highly anticipated sequel

The South African

time6 days ago

  • The South African

Robert Pattinson returns as Batman in highly anticipated sequel

The highly anticipated sequel, The Batman 2 , is set to begin production on January 1, 2026, at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in London. The original film, starring Robert Pattinson and released worldwide in 2022, was a major success. It grossed approximately R14.8 billion globally (equivalent to $772.3 million). Fans have eagerly awaited this follow-up, which promises to dive deeper into Gotham's recovery from the catastrophic flood caused by the Riddler in the first film. Director Matt Reeves, who co-wrote the script with Mattson Tomlin, described the new film as exploring a 'more complex and greyer world'. It tackled themes such as societal division, power struggles, and moral ambiguity. This indicates that the story will be darker and more intense, raising the stakes for both the characters and the plot's tension. MATT REEVES' GRITTY STORYTELLING Reeves aims to deliver a character-driven narrative with compelling visual storytelling. This can enhance the gritty atmosphere that cinema lovers have come to appreciate in international blockbusters. The main cast will return, including Robert Pattinson as Batman, Colin Farrell reprising his role as The Penguin, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon. Reports say Barry Keoghan is expected to reprise his performance as the Joker. However, Warner Bros. has yet to confirm this casting officially, according to Super Hero Hype. James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, addressed fans' concerns over delays, emphasising the importance of quality and patience. Gunn said, 'Matt is committed to making the best film he possibly can. People should get off Matt's nuts and let him write the screenplay in the amount of time he needs. It's going to come out when he feels good about the screenplay.' This statement underlines the emphasis on craftsmanship over rushing the production. This is something many film enthusiasts can respect, given the local industry's emphasis on quality storytelling. Pre-production is actively ramping up in London. Key departments like production design, stunt coordination, costume, makeup, and VFX are already hiring to prepare for the shooting schedule. Warner Bros. Pictures has scheduled the film for release on 1 October 2027. For fans, this means there is plenty to look forward to in nearly two years. The Batman 2 will begin filming in early 2026 with a strong cast and creative team returning. The film's darker, more complex narrative will explore Gotham's recovery and deeper societal issues. It promises an intense cinematic experience for fans when it releases in late 2027. WHICH CHARACTER'S RETURN ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 'THE BATMAN' 2? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store