|
"Memory," the actor's nth COVID-era caper to
play on the big screen, debuted over the weekend to $3.1 million
from 2,555 North American cinemas. Its eighth-place finish is a
weak result, but one that's close to Neeson's recent theatrical
releases like "Blacklight" ($3.6 million debut), "Honest Thief"
($3.6 million debut) and "The Marksman" ($3.1 million debut).
Since Open Road Films and Briarcliff Entertainment's "Memory" is
the only new nationwide release, last weekend's champion "The
Bad Guys" topped the box office again. In its sophomore outing,
the Universal Pictures animated heist comedy earned $16.1
million from 4,042 locations, bringing its domestic tally to
$44.4 million.
"Mr. Neeson's pre-pandemic crime pics did well, including the
successful 'Taken' series, but audiences are showing little
interest now," says David A. Gross, who runs the movie
consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. At the same
time, there appears to be a very loyal demographic that is
willing to return time and time again to watch the hulking
Neeson avenge someone's death.
Overall, it's been a quiet weekend in theaters as Hollywood
braces for Disney's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of
Madness," which opens in theaters next weekend. The Marvel film,
which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and takes place after the
events of "Spider-Man: No Way Home," is expected to deliver huge
box office ticket sales.
In second place, Paramount's family-friendly "Sonic the Hedgehog
2" added $11.3 million from 3,801 locations. After four weeks on
the big screen, the "Sonic" sequel has grossed $160.9 million at
the domestic box office. That means the film has officially
surpassed its predecessor's $148 million pre-pandemic box office
tally. However, COVID-19 likely cut short the theatrical run for
2020's "Sonic the Hedgehog."
"Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" again took third
place on North American charts with $8.3 million from 3,962
screens. The latest chapter in the "Harry Potter" prequel series
is by far the lowest-grossing of the Wizarding World film
franchise. "The Secrets of Dumbledore" has generated $79 million
to date and faces an uphill battle to cross $100 million
domestically.
Director Robert Eggers' blood-soaked Viking epic "The Northman"
and A24's "Everything Everywhere All at Once" took spots four
and five on domestic box office charts.
"The Northman" fell 49% from its $12 million debut, bringing in
$6.3 million from 3,284 theaters. It has grossed $22 million so
far.
In its sixth weekend of release, "Everything Everywhere All at
Once" added $5.5 million from 2,200 cinemas, boosting its North
American tally to $35 million.
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
