Scary Movie Tops the Weekend Box Office with Franchise Best as Masters of the Universe Doesn’t Have the Power

Scary Movie won the weekend box office with a $55 million domestic gross. Internationally, the film came close to matching that with $50.5 million for a worldwide debut of $105.5 million.
The R-rated film delivered a franchise best domestically having debuted 26 years ago and 13 years since the last entry in the franchise. With a $12.7 million improvement from the series’ high, it’s debut, and almost $41 million improvement from its last release, this continuation/reboot/requel, has breathed new life into the franchise. It’s also the latest of film franchises to see new releases see a domestic boost after some time off.
The film has a 24% critic reception and only 69% from audiences, so there’s a good chance it’ll see a quick drop. The lack of “controversy” as well after a lot of hype of not being “woke” also makes you wonder if there was a rush to see what the film would make fun of which leads to a first weekend front load and quick drop off after.
It’ll be interesting to see how this new film does, but there’s a good chance it could outperform the original film a franchise best. And, if it does well, coupled with The Naked Gun reboot success, we might be seeing more of the franchise and more of this type of film.
| Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Worldwide | |
| Scary Movie (2000) | $42,346,669 | $157,019,771 | $278,023,280 |
| Scary Movie 2 (2001) | $20,503,356 | $71,308,997 | $141,220,678 |
| Scary Movie 3 (2003) | $49,700,000 | $110,003,217 | $220,673,217 |
| Scary Movie 4 (2006) | $40,222,875 | $90,710,620 | $178,262,620 |
| Scary Movie 5 (2013) | $14,157,367 | $32,015,787 | $78,378,744 |
Masters of the Universe came in second place with $29.3 million domestically and $25 million internationally for an anemic $54.3 million worldwide. No matter how the studio attempts to spin it, the film’s gross is rough with a budget reported to be between $160 and $200 million. Using the 2x the budget to determine financial success, the movie is unlikely to get there. But… this might be a film that does well in streaming and with so many tie-ins, it’s possible the film does “turn a profit” as a franchise.
Kevin Wilson, the domestic distribution chief with Amazon MGM called it a “solid start” and that the PostTrak polls had kids under 12 giving it a good rating with 96% “definite recommend.” In the same comment from Wilson, he hinted a “holistic distribution strategy” which builds awareness and engagement beyond the theatrical release. The film is currently at a 67% critic review and 88% from audiences. So, Amazon MGM is absolutely looking at the bigger picture, or at least has the infrastructure to say they are and try to put a positive spin on it all.
Backrooms dropped to third place after debuting in first last week adding $25.9 million to its total which is now $135.1 million. Internationally, it added $41.1 million over the week to bring that to $77.6 million and $212.7 million worldwide. The movie also saw an addition of 123 theaters from the previous week showing a demand from audiences and faith from movie theaters in it.
Obsession came in fourth after being in second place last week adding $25.6 million domestically to bring that gross to $152.1 million. The international gross had a massive boost, over double the week. It gained $50.7 million to bring its international total to $72.7 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $224.8 million.
The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act debuted in fifth place with $11.6 million over the weekend for a total gross of $19.5 million domestically and no international gross.
In comic related movies…
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu already dropped from the top five coming in sixth place this weekend. The movie grossed an estimated $10 million over the weekend to bring its domestic gross to $155.8 million. Internationally, the movie grossed about $28.6 million over the week to bring that to $137.8 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $293.6 million after three weeks.
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe added about $60,000 domestically which is now $1.2 million and the international gross remained at $17.3 million for $18.4 million worldwide.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea remained at $1.4 million domestically and internationally it grossed $1.5 million to lift its total to $5.9 million internationally. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $7.4 million.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie – Infinity Castle is at $137 million domestically. Internationally, the movie has grossed $606.3 million. Its worldwide gross is $743.3 million.
All You Need Is Kill remained at $695,290 domestically and internationally gained a little and is at $46,328 for a worldwide gross of $741,618.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution remained at $16.6 million domestically. Internationally, it also sits at $27.9 million for a worldwide gross of $44.5 million.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc remained at $43.4 million domestically. Internationally, the movie added a little and has grossed $119.3 million. Worldwide, the movie has grossed $162.7 million.
Numbers have 24 movies grossing $180,429,016 from 34,292 theaters for an average of $5,261.55. That is compared to last week’s 62 movies grossing $181,609,355 from 34,358 theaters for an average of $5,285.80.
