LOS ANGELES: Universal’s blockbuster “Halloween Ends” got off to a strong start this weekend, topping the North American box office with an estimated $41.3 million, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said on Sunday. Reported.The film, apparently the last in a long line of profitable “Halloween” films, once again stars Jamie Lee Curtis in a tale of throat slitting, suffocation, a fatal fall and a mysterious masked sewer dweller.
Analysts had predicted a slightly higher number: $50 million or more. But given the film’s simultaneous release on the Peacock streaming service and its production cost of just $30 million, its take was “brilliant,” said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.The weeks leading up to Halloween always bring smiles to horror movies — and another scary movie this weekend, Paramount’s “Problem,” finished second with $12.4 million. Susie Bacon stars as a therapist whose grip on reality is shaken by a terrifying event.In third place for the Friday-to-Sunday period, down one spot from last weekend’s release, was Sony’s live-action/computer-animated musical comedy “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” with $7.4 million. Javier Bardem, Shawn Mendes and Constance Wu star.Another Sony film, the history-inspired “The Woman King,” finished fourth with $3.7 million in ticket sales. Viola Davis serves as the leader of an all-female army of African warriors.And in fifth place, down two spots, was the 20th-century comedy thriller “Amsterdam,” with $2.9 million. It stars Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington.The top 10 included:”Don’t Worry Darling” ($2.2 million)”Barbarian” ($1.4 million)”Bros” ($920,000)”Terrifier 2″ ($850,000)”Top Gun: Maverick” ($685,000).
