The box office has been relatively quiet lately due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. However, this weekend, we have three wide releases that are hoping to liven up the movie theaters. “The Creator” from New Regency/20th Century Studios/Disney, “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” from Paramount and Spin Master, and “Saw X” from Lionsgate are all expected to make around $45M at the box office. While all three films are vying for the top spot, it seems that the real competition will be between “PAW Patrol 2” and “The Creator” as both movies have had extensive marketing campaigns. Let’s take a closer look at these releases and analyze their potential success.
Both “PAW Patrol 2” and “The Creator” have generated a lot of buzz leading up to their release. “PAW Patrol 2” is the first family animated movie since “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” in early August, which gives it an advantage in attracting young audiences. On the other hand, “The Creator” is a sci-fi film with a high production budget of $80M. However, it is concerning that “The Creator” only earned $1.6M during its previews, especially considering the various premium ticket options it offers. The fact that the previews included Wednesday shows, which are typically well-attended, is also worrisome. In comparison, “Saw X” performed slightly better with $2M during its previews, which is a positive sign for the horror sequel.
“Saw X” is the latest installment in the long-running “Saw” franchise, and it seems to be continuing the tradition of success. The previous movie, “Spiral,” had a disappointing opening with only $8.75M, but “Saw X” is already surpassing that figure. In fact, the previews for “Saw X” had a higher turnout compared to the previous two films in the franchise. This is a promising start and indicates that there is still interest among fans for the “Saw” series. Additionally, the film has received positive critical reviews with an 85% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated film in the franchise. With a wider release in 3,262 theaters, “Saw X” could potentially be a contender for the top spot at the box office.
While the focus has been on the top three releases, it is worth mentioning that Sony’s “Dumb Money” is also expanding this weekend. However, it is expected to perform poorly, only making single-digit earnings. This indicates that the film has limited appeal and is unlikely to make a significant impact at the box office.
As the weekend box office approaches, all eyes are on “PAW Patrol 2,” “The Creator,” and “Saw X.” While “PAW Patrol 2” has the advantage of being a family animated film, “The Creator” has a high production budget and extensive marketing. However, the disappointing preview earnings for “The Creator” raise concerns about its potential success. On the other hand, “Saw X” seems to be defying expectations with its strong preview performance and positive critical reception. Time will tell how these films will perform over the weekend, but it is clear that audiences are eager to return to the big screen after a period of limited releases.