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411 Box Office Report: Don’t Worry Darling Claims Top Spot, Avatar Scores $10 Million

September 25, 2022 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas
DON'T WORRY DARLING Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Don’t Worry Darling rode all the gossip about it to the top of the box office this weekend. Olivia Wilde’s psychological thriller took the #1 spot with a $19.2 million opening. That’s slightly above the $17 million that the studio was expecting, though a tough below the $20 million to $24 million most predicted it would do. It was the best opening since since Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero won the weekend with $21.2 million five weeks ago.

Don’t Worry Darling came into the weekend amidst a ton of stories over the last few weeks regarding the reportedly “troubled” production. Those kinds of stories can be a crap shot in terms of how they effect box office; while they can raise visibility, they can also contribute to negative buzz and warn people off. It seems to have done neither in this case, as the film performed largely as expected considering the promotion and reviews. The film has not been a hit with critics, coming in at a 36% Rotten Tomatoes aggregated score, though audiences have been more warm to it with an 80% audience rating on RT and an acceptable B- CinemaScore.

The film is right on target to make a profit at this point. That’s due to the fact that despite Warner Bros’ giving it the profile of a more expensive film, it only cost $19 million. In addition, the domestic opening was supplemented by $10.2 million overseas for a $30 million worldwide start. The week-to-week holds will matter regarding how much profit it makes, but at this point it should at least be able to bring in $50 million during its stateside run.

Viola Davis’ The Woman King held on fairly well in its second weekend, as it slipped 42% to bring in $11.1 million. The historical action drama is doing moderately well thus far, with $36.3 million domestically and $37.6 million worldwide. That international gross will build as the movie expands to other markets, and domestically it looks to be still on track for around $60 million to $65 million.

Avatar saw a return to theaters as Disney prepares to bring audiences back for the sequel this winter. The 2009 James Cameron blockbuster garnered $10 million, at the high end of weekend estimations. That’s very good for the film all things considered. Disney removed the film from streaming a few weeks ago in a canny move.

In most cases, this would be pretty much pure extra profit, but Disney actually gave this a solid marketing spend to let people know it was returning. But it doesn’t matter if this rerelease makes a profit because it is essentially more marketing for Avatar: The Way Of Water. Amidst its various re-releases, Avatar has grossed $770.5 million domestically and $2.878 billion worldwide.

Barbarian had a very good hold in its third weekend as it continues to bring in the profit. The 20th Century Studios horror film scared up another $4.8 million, off just 26% from last weekend. The movie is now up to 28.4 million domestically and $29.9 million, great numbers considering the film cost just $4.5 million to make. It’s already a box office win and should be able to make it to $35 million to $40 million before it exits theaters.

Pearl also had a solid hold, down just 39% in its second weekend to $1.9 million. The X prequel is set for a tidy little profit for A24, even with marketing, as the production budget was only $1 million. Pearl is up to $6.7 million and while it may not top X’s $11.8 million, A24 will be happy regardless. A $10 million total seems likely.

Searchlight Pictures’ See How They Run was down a solid 37% in its second weekend, bringing in $1.9 million. The crime comedy is doing fairly well considering its profile with $6.1 million domestically and $12.3 million worldwide. Still no word on its budget, but like Pearl it should hit around $10 million.

Bullet Train was down 29% in its eighth weekend, hacking up another $1.8 million. The Brad Pitt-led action comedy now has $99.2 million domestically and $230.1 million worldwide, profitable against its $85 million budget. It should be able to close out its domestic run at just over $100 million.

DC League of Super Pets had the best hold in the top 10, down just 19% to bring in $1.8 million. The animated film has grossed $90 million domestically and $185.8 million worldwide, putting it at a likely profit point even against a $90 million budget. $95 million remains its likely endgame in the US.

Top Gun: Maverick dropped 30% $1.6 million in its 18th week. The action sequel now has $711.6 million domestically and $1.472 billion worldwide and is obviously a hit against its $170 million budget. It should finish off around $715 million.

Minions: The Rise of Gru was down 25% in its 13th weekend with $1 million. The animated prequel/sequel has $365.5 domestically and $919.3 million worldwide. It should be able to just top Despicable Me 2’s $368.1 million to become the biggest domestic film in the franchise. The budget was $80 million.

Next weekend will see another new #1 as horror film Smile and gay romcom Bros arrive. Smile is most likely to take the weekend with $15 million, while Bros should be in the low teens.

BOX OFFICE TOP TEN (Three-Day Domestic Numbers)
1. Don’t Worry Darling – $19.2 million ($19.2 million total, $30 million WW)
2. The Woman King – $11.1 million ($36.3 million total, $37.6 million WW)
3. Avatar – $10 million ($770.5 million total, $2.878 billion WW)
4. Barbarian – $4.8 million ($28.4 million total, $29.9 million WW)
5. Pearl – $1.9 million ($6.7 million total, $6.7 million WW)
6. See How They Run – $1.9 million ($6.1 million total, $12.3 million WW)
7. Bullet Train – $1.8 million ($99.2 million total, $230.3 million WW)
8. DC League of Super-Pets – $1.8 million ($90 million total, $185.8 million WW)
9. Top Gun: Maverick – $1.6 million ($711.6 million total, $1.471 billion WW)
10. Minions: The Rise of Gru – $1 million ($365.5 million total, $919.3 million WW)