Martin Scorsese’s crime epic “Killers of the Flower Moon” has made a strong debut at the box office, earning a remarkable $23 million from North American theaters and $21 million from international territories. This marks Scorsese’s best start since 2010’s “Shutter Island” and the third-best start of his career, an impressive achievement considering the film’s stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro were unable to promote it due to an ongoing actors strike.
Despite its lengthy runtime of three-and-a-half hours, “Killers of the Flower Moon” has received rave reviews from both audiences and critics alike. It boasts an “A-” CinemaScore and an impressive 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The positive reception is a testament to Scorsese’s impeccable storytelling and the captivating performances of the cast.
With a budget of $200 million, the film represents a significant theatrical bet for streaming service Apple. In fact, it is the widest release ever for a movie backed by a streaming service. This demonstrates Apple’s commitment to the theatrical experience and its confidence in Scorsese’s ability to draw audiences to the big screen.
Industry analysts predict that the film’s strong start, combined with positive word-of-mouth and potential awards nominations, will contribute to a successful theatrical run. It is evident that the involvement of a streaming service has added another layer of interest to the box office performance of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” While a debut in the low $20 million range might be considered disappointing for traditional studios, streaming services view ticket sales as a valuable way to raise the film’s profile before its streaming release.
Apple is currently testing this model with two other high-profile films, “Napoleon” and “Argylle,” to explore new opportunities for streaming platforms in the exhibition space. The success of “Killers of the Flower Moon” could pave the way for more collaboration between streaming services and theaters, potentially revolutionizing the film industry.
Despite its strong debut, “Killers of the Flower Moon” couldn’t surpass Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” which remained in first place at the box office, grossing an impressive $31 million. “The Eras Tour” has made history as the first concert film to top the box office for two consecutive weekends. It has already surpassed $100 million at the domestic box office, cementing its status as a massive success.
Additionally, Universal’s horror sequel “The Exorcist: Believer” earned $5.6 million in its third weekend, bringing its North American total to $54.2 million and its global total to $107 million. Paramount and Nickelodeon’s animated film “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” landed at number four, earning $4.3 million in its fourth weekend. It has grossed an impressive $55.9 million domestically and $148 million worldwide, surpassing the success of its predecessor.
Lastly, Disney’s re-release of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” rounded out the top five with $4.1 million. The re-release is a seasonal favorite, providing additional support for exhibitors during the Halloween season.
Overall, the box office continues to thrive with the success of “Killers of the Flower Moon” and the other top-grossing films. With the evolving landscape of streaming services and the theatrical experience, the industry is witnessing exciting changes that could shape the future of filmmaking.
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