Theater counts: Joker repels an onslaught of newcomers to remain widest release

October 10, 2024

The opening weekend turned out to be less inspiring than originally expected for Joker: Folie á Deux, as Monday final tallies reported the film making $2.3 million less than originally projected over its opening three-day frame. Despite those projections, the sequel nevertheless easily dominated the domestic box office, securing nearly $38 million from 4,105 locations, which it retains for its second weekend. As the film begins its sophomore session, it will have to fend off a flurry of new wide releases, including another sequel poised to make Joker a one and done at the top of charts.

One of those new arrivals is Terrifier 3, set to debut in 2,514 theaters. The Christmas slasher film, directed by Damien Leon, follows two previous installments, which have combined to earn nearly $16 million, mostly on the legs of the second chapter. While the previous killer-clown features were low-budget productions, the original film was made for $35,000 and the second installment was made for $250,000, Terrifier 3 has reportedly upped both the gore and the budget to the tune of $2 million.

Also opening in wide release this weekend is the animated biographical film about the life of artist Pharrell Williams. Starting out in 1,863 theaters, Piece by Piece transports audiences into a LEGO world where anything is possible. Lending their voices to the film are fellow singer/songwriters, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, and Snoop Dogg, among others.

Just behind in 1,740 venues is another biographical film, this one about former President Donald Trump and his rise as a real estate mogul in 1970’s and 1980’s New York. The Apprentice dives into the underbelly of the American empire. It charts a young Donald Trump’s (played by Sebastian Stan) ascent to power through a Faustian deal with the influential right-wing lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn.

Opening in three phases beginning on September 27, Saturday Night expands into nearly all markets this weekend, available in 2,309 cinemas. The Sony Pictures release follows a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers who changed television forever with the launch of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975. The movie has accumulated over $731,000 in its preceding two weeks, opening in five locations before expanding into 21 last weekend.

Rounding out the top five this weekend is our second-place finisher at the weekend box office, with The Wild Robot also placing as the second widest release this weekend, showing in 3,848 locations. Next is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, entering its sixth weekend, playing in 3,408 theaters. And lastly, occupying the fourth spot as the widest release is Transformers One, still available in 2,758 venues.

Looking ahead to next weekend, we see two wide releases make their theatrical debuts. Smile 2 is projected to begin in approximately 3,400 locations. We will update the count for Michael Keaton’s Goodrich when it becomes available.

Filed under: Theater Counts, DC Extended Universe, Terrifier, Snoop Dogg, Michael Keaton, Sebastian Stan, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams