20th Century Studios’ Kenneth Branagh starring and directed, A Haunting in Venice, has scared up $1.2M in previews. The weekend outlook for the feature take of the Agatha Christie novel Hallowe’en is $12M+, similar to what Branagh’s feature take on the author’s Death on the Nile did back in 2022 in its first weekend, $12.8M.
Comps for the expected older female skewing, A Haunting in Venice includes, 2019’s Doctor Sleep which did $1.4M on its Thursday before a $14M opening weekend, the Jennifer Lawrence Russian spy flick Red Sparrow ($1.2M Thursday previews and $17M opening), Ticket to Paradise ($1.1M previews, $16.5M opening) and Death on the Nile ($1.1M previews).
As we mentioned, working in A Haunting in Venice‘s favor is that it’s the best reviewed of Branagh’s Hercule Poirot movies at 77% certified fresh to Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile’s 61% on Rotten Tomatoes. The downside is that Venice isn’t tricked up with stars like Murder was; the only big names here outside Branagh being Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and 30 Rock‘s Tina Fey.
A Haunting in Venice could win the weekend if New Line’s Nun 2 takes an enormous tumble deeper than -60%.
Venice is booked at 3,305 theatres and also has the benefit of Imax and PLF ticket upcharges. Previews are comprised of Imax Wednesday fan screenings as well as showtimes that began yesterday at 6PM.
Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express earned B CinemaScores, so we’ll see how Branagh’s latest comes in. The third movie here, given its less starry cast, cost a reported $60M before P&A versus Death on the Nile‘s $90M.
The Nun 2 ends her first week at 3,728 theaters with $41.7M after a $1.7M Thursday, -15% from Wednesday.
Sony’s Equalizer 3 at 3,965 ends week 2 with $16.6M after a $936K Thursday, -14% from Wednesday for a running total of $66.4M.
Focus Features’ My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 at 3,650 ends week one with $13.8M after a $735K Thursday, -11%.
Warner Bros’ Barbie booked at 3,281 theaters, saw an eighth week of $7.5M (and it’s on PVOD and digital sell through now), after a $390K Thursday, -16% and running total of $622.1M. This weekend she takes over The Avengers ($623.3M) as the 11th highest grossing movie ever at the domestic box office.
Yash Raj’s Jawan saw a Thursday of $367K, -20%, bringing its first week to $8.3M and a running total of $9.7M.