The Oscars weekend includes “Scream VI” in theaters, as the horror sequel earned a best-ever domestic ticket sales of $44.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The joint production of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group exceeded past expectations, easily surpassing the previous series’ high of $32 million that opened “Scream 2” in 1997. The film’s solid debut, coming as Hollywood prepares to gather for the 95th Academy Awards, This is Another reminder of horror being one of the industry’s top box office hits.
After lying dormant for more than a decade, the “Scream” franchise, previously directed by Wes Craven and released by Dimensi Films, has found a ripe revival with a young cast led by the stars of “Wednesday” Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera.
Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have brought back the meta storyline of the 27-year-old series slasher and serial killer Ghostface, and it’s paid off. Last year “Scream V” grossed $137 million worldwide on a production budget of $24 million. In the latest chapter, Courtney Cox returns as reporter Gale Weathers, as well as Hayden Panettiere, a veteran of “Scream IV.” But this is the first “Scream” movie without Neve Campbell.
“Scream VI,” quickly greenlit after the success of “V,” has also done well with critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a fresh rating of 75%. Moviegoers gave it a “B+” CinemaScore, a decent grade for a horror movie.
Last week’s top movie, “Creed III,” slid to second after an above-expected release. Michael B. Jordan’s MGM “Rocky” spinoff, starring him and Jonathan Majors, earned $27.1 million in its second weekend. It has quickly crossed $100 million in US and Canadian theaters.
Columbia Pictures’ “65,” a science fiction thriller starring Adam Driver as a space explorer stranded on prehistoric Earth, opened in third place with an estimated $12.3 million from 3,405 locations. That might be better than expected, for a movie that got bad reviews from critics. (It counts only 35% fresh in Rotten Tomatoes.) But “65” reportedly did the production budget restored around $90 million, not accounting for tax rebates.
Bobby Farrelly’s “Champions,” starring Woody Harrelson as a disgraced coach trying to lead a basketball team to the Special Olympics, opened with $5.2 million at 3,030 locations. Audiences (CinemaScore “A”) are more likely than reviewers (53% on Rotten Tomatoes).
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