Jolting the domestic box office back to life in a major way, New Line’s The Conjuring: Last Rites topped Friday’s chart with a huge $34.5 million, including a record $8.5 million in Thursday previews.
That is by far the best opening day in the history of the franchise, yet another win for Warner Bros.’ film empire, as well as the best showing of the year so far for any Hollywood horror title.
Last Rites is the seventh consecutive Warner Bros. release to open north of $40 million this year, a first for any Hollywood studio and one of the numerous milestones achieved this year by the once-struggling studio.
The news only gets better from there as the R-rated film is showing no signs of slowing down as its projected domestic opening continues to climb.
On Friday afternoon, it looked like it was headed for a record $65 million-plus bow.
Now, it is on course to open to $75 million from 3,802 theatres, including a lion’s share of higher-priced Imax and other premium large-format screens, which are a boon for the film in accounting for 40 percent of its total gross so far.
While New Line/Warners is sticking with $75 million, some rivals show it earning anywhere from $77 million to $80 million.
Either way, even $75 million would be more than double the $35 million projection provided by New Line and parent company Warner Bros. heading into the weekend, although other box pundits thought north of $50 million was more likely.
Overseas, Last Rites is also coming in well ahead of an expected $50 million opening from more than 60 markets.
Source : Hollywood Reporter
