Veteran's Day weekend was a slow time at the theater this week that saw Midway takes #1 over Doctor Sleep. The film about the Battle of Midway was carried by the right release date and grossed $17.5 million. This is still below expectations that saw the film tracking for $20 million. The film was budgeted at $100 million so it seems unlikely it will be breaking even but a weekend win is a win.
Doctor Sleep is the next film in the "sure to be a hit that failed" folder. After last weeks bombing of Terminator: Dark Fate, Doctor Sleep was expected to open comfortably on top of the box office tracking for $25 million and bringing great reviews. The sequel to The Shining made only $14.1 million leaving studios wondering about the current state of films like Terminator and The Shining. Have they finally reached a point where they are too old to use as source material to get fans to get to the theater?
If there were winners this week it was Playing with Fire and Last Christmas. The comedy starring John Cena was third with $12.8 million and the romantic comedy starring Emilia Clarke was fourth with $11.6 million. This may not be a big opening but weighed against their budgets ($30 million and $25 million respectively) they look like good bets to make profits.
Terminator: Dark Fate dropped to fifth with $10.8 million grossing $48.4 million domestically in 2 weeks.
Next week has Ford v. Ferrari starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon and the reboot no one asked for Charlie's Angels with Kristen Stewart and (checks notes) Patrick Stewart.
1. Midway- $17.5/ $17.5
2. Doctor Sleep- $14.1/ $14.1
3. Playing with Fire- $12.8/ $12.8
4. Last Christmas- $11.6/ $11.6
5. Terminator: Dark Fate- $10.8/ $48.4
6. Joker- $9.2/ $313.4
7. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil- $8.0/ $97.3
8. Harriet- $7.2/ $23.4
9. Zombieland: Double Tap- $4.3/ $66.6
10. Jojo Rabbit- $3.9/ $9.1