Theater counts: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice repels an inflow of newcomers to remain widest release

September 12, 2024

Last weekend’s highly anticipated arrival of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice surpassed most expectations at the box office, tallying up just over $111 million in domestic receipts, while earning north of $36 million from overseas markets. While a flurry of new arrivals make their theatrical debuts this weekend, none look to be a serious threat to unseat Beetlejuice Beetlejuice from its pedestal.

New to theaters this weekend is the James McAvoy psychological-horror feature, Speak No Evil. The film, a remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name, follows an American family invited to spend the weekend at the country estate of a British family they befriended on vacation, which soon turns into a convoluted nightmare. The James Watkins directed movie will begin its run in 3,375 theaters.

Starting out in 1,517 cinemas is the comedy-documentary, Am I Racist?. The film follows podcaster and documentarian, Matt Walsh, as he goes undercover in the world of DEI, appearing at anti-racism workshops and interviewing experts and others. It marks the first theatrical release by the conservative website, The Daily Wire.

Also opening in wide release this week is The Killer’s Game, featuring Dave Bautista. The movie follows a veteran assassin who takes out a hit — on himself — after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. After the hitmen he hired also target his ex-girlfriend, he must fend off an army of fellow assassins to win back the love of his life. The film will open in 2,623 theaters.

Lastly, making its way into North American theaters is the release of DAN DA DAN: First Encounter. The anime adaptation of the sci-fi manga series encapsulates the first three episodes of the TV series into a theatrical feature. We will update those counts once they become available.

Rounding out the top five this weekend is the aforementioned current box office leader, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, showing once again in 4,575 venues. Occupying the spot as the second widest release this weekend is newcomer Speak No Evil, showing in 3,375 cinemas. Third is Deadpool & Wolverine, available in 3,075 venues, and another newcomer, The Killer’s Game, fills the fourth spot, releasing in 2,623 locations. Finalizing the top five, Reagan, will play in 2,450 theaters.

Looking ahead to next week we see a trio of films making their theatrical debuts, including the latest in the Transformers franchise, with the arrival of Transformers One. The animated feature starring Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry is projected to start out in 3,700 locations. Also opening in wide release next weekend is the thriller Never Let Go, which is projected to open in 2,600 theaters. Lastly, the Demi Moore body-horror, The Substance will release wide next weekend. We will update the theater counts when they become available.

Filed under: Theater Counts, Transformers, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wolverine, Deadpool, Beetlejuice, Chris Hemsworth, James McAvoy, Demi Moore, Matt Walsh, Dave Bautista, Brian Tyree Henry