Box Office Weekend Highlights

As of Monday evening, the final box office figures for Warner Bros./New Line’s 'The Conjuring 2' have confirmed its impressive opening weekend, matching Sunday morning estimates at $40.4 million.

Industry insiders credit the film's success to the dedicated fanbase of director James Wan. He has once again demonstrated his talent, delivering a sequel that stands up to its predecessor. Warner Bros. effectively generated buzz for the film through advance screenings and a prominent feature at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

One studio executive remarked on Warners' ability to cultivate a strong reputation for 'The Conjuring 2' ahead of its release.

Looking ahead, projections indicate that the sequel may experience a decline of around 50% in its second weekend, estimated at $20.2 million, slightly more than the original's 47% drop.

An industry observer highlighted that the almost comparable opening weekend sales to the first film can be attributed to the practice of hiring accomplished directors for sequels. The shift in focus from lesser-known directors could be why audiences remain interested in sequels, rather than a lack of enthusiasm for them.Universal and Legendary's 'Warcraft' may have made headlines with its impressive $150 million opening in China, but not everything is as it seems.

Reports indicate that the actual production costs, including rebates and partnerships, are around $160 million, coupled with a substantial $110 million for marketing and distribution.

In its opening weekend, 'Warcraft' earned $24.1 million domestically. It's worth noting that compared to other video game adaptations, such as the 'Resident Evil' series, which has lower budgets— the last film in that franchise was produced for $65 million before marketing costs.

Though 'Warcraft' attracted 53% of its audience from gamers, some industry insiders suggest that the direction could have been better. One agent commented that Sam Raimi would have been a more suitable choice to direct, potentially widening the film’s appeal.

Gamers, while a dedicated audience, do not tend to revisit theaters as comic book fans do. Additionally, the film’s release was not timed with peak interest in the franchise, which further hindered its box office performance.

The marketing materials for 'Warcraft' leaned heavily into the game's aesthetics, aiming squarely at die-hard fans rather than broader demographics. As the box office landscape shifts with upcoming releases like 'Finding Dory' and 'Central Intelligence', 'Warcraft' is projected to see a sharp decline in its second weekend, with estimates around $9.6 million, bringing its domestic total to approximately $60 million.

Meanwhile, Lionsgate's 'Now You See Me 2' opened to $22.4 million, which is 24% lower than the original's debut. Projections indicate a 45% drop for its second weekend, leading to questions about its profitability, especially given its higher production costs compared to the first film.

On a brighter note, Disney and Marvel's 'Captain America: Civil War' will soon surpass the $400 million mark domestically, making it the 23rd film to achieve this milestone.

The total weekend ticket sales were approximately $152 million, reflecting a 45% decrease from the same period last year, when 'Jurassic World' dominated the box office. Current figures for Summer 2016 show a total of $1.2 billion, a decline from last year’s $1.6 billion and a notable drop from the record-setting 2013 summer.

Upcoming releases like 'Jason Bourne' and 'Suicide Squad' could potentially boost ticket sales as the season progresses.

Here are the top 20 films for the weekend of June 10-12:
1. The Conjuring 2 (WB): $40.4 million
2. Warcraft (Uni/Leg): $24.1 million The weekend box office results show a competitive landscape for film releases.

'Now You See Me 2' topped the charts with an impressive $22.4 million over three days, performing well across 3,232 theaters, which translates to an average of $6,925 per location.

In second place, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2' grossed $14.4 million but saw a significant 59% drop from its previous weekend, operating in 4,071 venues and averaging $3,534.

'X-Men: Apocalypse' followed closely with $9.92 million, down 57%, from 3,585 locations, averaging $2,766 per theater.

'Me Before You' brought in $9 million this weekend, marking a 52% decrease, across 2,762 theaters with an average of $3,272.

The 'Angry Birds Movie' continued its flight with $6.55 million, down 36%, in 3,083 locations, averaging $2,125.

'Alice Through the Looking Glass' earned $5.6 million, dropping 50%, from 2,898 theaters, for an average of $1,948.

'Captain America: Civil War' added $4.3 million, with a 45% decrease, across 2,101 theaters, averaging $2,053.

'The Jungle Book' continues to attract crowds, grossing $2.76 million, down 38%, from 1,496 locations with an average of $1,846.

'Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising' earned $2.1 million, down 56%, in 1,581 theaters, averaging $1,341.

'The Nice Guys' took in $1.96 million, a 43% decrease, from 1,147 locations, averaging $1,709.

Lastly, 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping' struggled with $1.68 million, reflecting a 64% drop from its previous weekend, across 2,313 theaters, averaging $726.

These figures highlight the fierce competition in the box office and the varying performance levels of sequels and new releases alike.Love & Friendship (RSA/AMZN) reported $1.4 million over the weekend, reflecting a 34% decline across 826 locations, with an average of $1,700 per location. Its total earnings now stand at $9.42 million after five weeks.

The Lobster (A24) generated $988,000 in the same period, down 32%, from 560 locations, averaging $1,764 per venue, bringing its total to $5.55 million in week five.

Money Monster (Sony) faced a significant drop of 62%, earning $701,000 from 731 locations, averaging $959, and accumulating a total of $39.8 million after five weeks.

In contrast, Maggie's Plan (SPC) saw an impressive increase of 337%, earning $623,000 from 311 locations with an average of $2,004, totaling $1.07 million in its fourth week.

Zootopia (DIS) earned $557,000 this weekend, down 26% from 319 locations, with an average of $1,746, reaching a cumulative total of $338.2 million in its fifteenth week.

Meanwhile, A…AA (Blue Sky) plummeted 72%, making $345,000 from 96 locations at an average of $3,597, totalling $2.3 million in its second week.

Te3n (REL) had a modest debut of $256,000 from 104 locations, averaging $2,481, with a total cume of $258,000 in its first week.

In a notable update, Warner Bros. announced that its R-rated sequel, Conjuring 2, is set to open at $40.35 million. This figure marks only a 4% decrease compared to its predecessor's opening of $41.9 million from three years ago. Excluding the openings of Batman v. Superman and Captain America: Civil War, which both surpassed their prior films, Conjuring 2 has one of the strongest holds for a sequel this year, especially in light of many franchises experiencing significant declines.In the realm of horror film debuts, 'Conjuring 2' has secured its place as the third highest opening, trailing only behind the original 'Conjuring' and the 2009 'Friday the 13th' which grossed $40.6 million.

Remarkably, it has set a new record for June releases in the horror genre, surpassing 'The Purge' which opened to $34.1 million.

On its second day, 'Conjuring 2' earned $14 million, reflecting a 15% decline from its opening day figure of $16.4 million.

This drop is an improvement compared to the 2013 installment, which experienced an 18% decrease and a Saturday gross of $13.9 million.

Other studios are aligning their expectations for 'Conjuring 2' with those of Warner Bros, with CinemaScore suggesting the film’s domestic earnings could ultimately fall between $102 million and $144 million.

For context, the original film had a domestic total of $137.4 million, yielding a profit exceeding $161 million.

How can a horror film achieve remarkable box office success without a strong social media presence or elaborate marketing stunts?

Traditionally, horror studios engage in eye-catching promotions like haunted houses at theaters or viral online campaigns, much like Lionsgate did with "The Last Exorcism" six years ago, featuring a ghost on Chatroulette.

Despite competitors accusing Warner Bros. of overspending to secure top box office positions, the numbers tell a different story for "Conjuring 2." According to ispot.tv, Warner Bros. invested around $14.7 million in television advertising, significantly less than Universal's $22.3 million for "Warcraft" and Lionsgate's $17.5 million for "Now You See Me 2."

The marketing strategy for "Conjuring 2" effectively centered on the film's protagonists, the Warrens, likening them to contemporary versions of Mulder and Scully. One industry executive initially viewed this approach as risky but later acknowledged Warner Bros.' success in making it resonate with audiences. Additionally, the absence of major horror releases in recent times likely benefited the film.

Domestic distribution chief Jeff Goldstein highlighted the importance of a strong narrative, crediting director James Wan for his storytelling prowess and dedicated fan following. RelishMix echoed this sentiment, noting that Wan's previous promotional efforts had gained traction online. They also pointed out that the true events inspiring "Conjuring 2" have sparked viewer curiosity, leading fans to explore the Enfield case further and share their findings in discussions.

Goldstein emphasized the broader appeal of this genre, comparing it to "The Exorcist," which captivated a wide audience due to its compelling nature.In a recent update, Universal Pictures has reported that Duncan Jones' film, Warcraft, secured a second-place finish at the box office with earnings of $24.4 million.

This performance aligns with the studio's expectations for the film, which features an epic clash between humans and orcs.

However, the real potential for this $160 million project, which also incurred an additional $110 million in promotional costs, lies in the international market.

Currently, its global box office total has reached $286.1 million, with an impressive 55% of that revenue coming from China.

Industry insiders suggest that for Warcraft to break even, it will need to accumulate around $500 million worldwide. Projections for its domestic box office run estimate earnings between $57 million and $81 million.

Nick Carpou, Universal's domestic distribution chief, highlighted a significant trend: “We are observing a shift towards the globalization of films. This does not diminish the importance of the U.S. market but emphasizes the need for movies to cater to a global audience, acknowledging various strengths across different regions.”

While we've seen smaller films targeting overseas viewers, Warcraft represents a pivotal moment for large Hollywood productions, especially those that look to China for financial success.

Looking ahead, STX Entertainment is preparing to release The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Martin Campbell, which may follow a similar path.

In its marketing strategy, Universal focused on engaging World of Warcraft subscribers. Exit polls indicated that 53% of the audience were fans of the video game, with that number rising to 65% among younger male viewers.

Additionally, 58% of attendees under 17 enjoyed the film, while 54% of those under 30 expressed their love for it.

Among fans, there was a preference for watching the movie in 3D, with 45% choosing that format, and 18% opting for IMAX 3D.

According to RelishMix, Blizzard Entertainment's involvement, along with its World of Warcraft gaming pages, significantly boosted the film's word-of-mouth marketing.

Blizzard boasts a social media following of 3.5 million, which played a crucial role in promoting the film.

Additionally, popular YouTuber PewDiePie paid homage to the game, garnering 3.3 million views on his tribute video.

Fans took to Twitter to voice their displeasure over critical reviews, while actress Paula Patton and director Duncan Jones actively promoted Warcraft to their substantial social media audiences.

Meanwhile, Lionsgate anticipates a $23 million opening for Now You See Me 2.

In comparison to its predecessor, the sequel's performance is viewed positively, with only a 22% decline from the original's $29.4 million debut.

Lionsgate's co-president of domestic theatrical distribution, Richie Fay, shared insights on the sequel's performance, noting,
"The original film performed strongly in home entertainment, which helped broaden our audience. We are targeting a younger demographic this time around. The success of the film is influenced by various factors, but quality plays a significant role."

In an interesting twist, some speculate that the addition of Daniel Radcliffe, known for his role in Harry Potter, contributed to attracting his fanbase to "Now You See Me 2."
RelishMix reported that the trailers and promotional clips had a distribution ratio of 4:1, a stark contrast to the usual 10:1.
The social media landscape showed significant engagement from stars like Sanaa Lathan (9.4 million followers) and Mark Ruffalo (7.6 million followers) across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

When combined with international earnings, "Now You See Me 2" debuted with a total of $45.8 million.
Cinemascore forecasts a final domestic box office range between $63 million and $88 million, indicating a potential drop of 25% to 46% compared to the original's $117.7 million in domestic revenue.
The film saw a solid performance on Saturday, pulling in $8.2 million, a slight decrease of just 2%.
The audience demographics reflected a similar trend to the first film, with 54% of viewers being women and 55% over the age of 25, as reported by Cinemascore.

Despite these positive aspects, there are critics who argue that the sequel does not represent a major triumph for Lionsgate.
Sources suggest that the production budget for "Now You See Me 2" reached $120 million before marketing and advertising costs, with foreign revenue accounting for 65% of that before tax credits.
Lionsgate's internal figures maintain that the production cost was around $100 million.
While the sequel's results are not as disastrous as "Gods of Egypt," which had a $140 million budget and only $142 million in global earnings, there remains a sense of nostalgia for the more lucrative days of franchises like "The Hunger Games" and "Twilight."

The studio's estimated figures for the weekend of June 10-12 indicate the ongoing complexities surrounding the film's financial narrative.

Box Office Overview and Trends

The latest box office results show a competitive landscape among new releases and returning favorites.

'Conjuring 2' led the pack in its opening weekend, grossing $40.4 million across 3,343 theaters.

Its Friday earnings were $16.4 million, which included $3.4 million from previews.

The film experienced a 15% drop on Saturday, bringing in $14 million, followed by a 30% decrease on Sunday with $9.8 million.

In second place, 'Warcraft' debuted with a total of $24.4 million from 3,400 theaters.

It opened with $10.7 million on Friday, including $3.1 million from previews, but saw a significant 27% decline on Saturday to $7.8 million, and a 25% drop on Sunday to $5.86 million.

'Now You See Me 2' also made its entry, earning $23 million from 3,232 theaters.

The film's Friday earnings stood at $8.4 million with $1.75 million from previews, followed by a slight decrease on Saturday to $8.2 million, and a drop to $6.4 million on Sunday, marking a 22% fall.

In a further analysis, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows' continued to struggle in its second week, pulling in $14.8 million from 4,071 theaters, which represents a 58% decline from its previous week, totaling $61 million so far.

'X-Men: Apocalypse's performance dropped to $10 million this weekend across 3,585 theaters, reflecting a 56% decline, with a total cume of $136.4 million after three weeks.

'Me Before You' garnered $9.2 million in its second week from 2,762 theaters, down 51%, and has accumulated a total of $36.8 million.

Lastly, 'The Angry Birds Movie' earned $6.7 million in its fourth week, with a total of $98.2 million, while 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' rounded off the list with $5.5 million and a total of $62.4 million after three weeks.1) In its sixth week,
‘Captain America: Civil War’
held strong in 2,101 theaters,
experiencing a drop of 983 venues.
The film earned $1.1 million on Friday,
$1.9 million on Saturday,
and $1.2 million on Sunday,
bringing its weekend total to $4.3 million,
a 45% decline.
Its overall box office now stands at $396.9 million.

2) Meanwhile,
‘The Jungle Book’ continues to thrive,
though it also saw a decrease,
playing in 1,496 theaters,
down by 494.
The film grossed $736k on Friday,
$1.1 million on Saturday,
and $816k on Sunday,
resulting in a three-day total of $2.7 million,
which is a 39% drop,
with a cumulative total of $352.6 million after nine weeks.

3) ‘Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising’
suffered a larger decline,
now in 1,581 theaters,
down 836 from last week.
It made $673k on Friday,
$860k on Saturday,
and $602k on Sunday,
for a weekend total of $2.1 million,
a staggering 56% decrease.
The total earnings have reached $53.1 million in its fourth week.

4) ‘The Nice Guys’ also saw a dip,
showing in 1,147 theaters,
down 741.
It earned $550k on Friday,
$940k on Saturday,
and $610k on Sunday,
resulting in a weekend total of $2.1 million,
down 39% with a total of $32.6 million after four weeks.

5) In its second week,
‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’
remains in 2,313 theaters,
with a minor increase of 2.
The film generated $498k on Friday,
$716k on Saturday,
and $502k on Sunday,
totaling $1.7 million for the weekend,
a significant 64% drop,
and bringing its overall total to $8.3 million.

6) ‘Love & Friendship’ is in 826 theaters,
with a slight gain of 7.
It collected $394k on Friday,
$644k on Saturday,
and $482k on Sunday,
resulting in a three-day total of $1.52 million,
a 29% decrease,
with a cumulative total of $9.5 million after five weeks.

7) Lastly,
‘The Lobster’ remains steady in 560 theaters,
with no change.
It earned $238k on Friday,
$419k on Saturday,
and $335k on Sunday,
totaling $991k for the weekend,
a 32% decline,
with an overall box office of $5.55 million after five weeks.This weekend, the trend of sequel fatigue appears to be less pronounced compared to recent releases such as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass."

Warner Bros. and New Line's "Conjuring 2" has surpassed expectations, earning approximately $38.3 million from 3,343 theaters, as updated this morning. Although this figure represents a 9% decline from the $41.9 million debut of its predecessor in 2013, it stands out as the best retention rate for a sequel this year, particularly when compared to other sequels released earlier, like "Captain America: Civil War" and "Batman v. Superman."

Meanwhile, Lionsgate's "Now You See Me 2" is projected to open at around $23.3 million from 3,232 theaters, marking a 21% decrease from the original's $29.4 million debut. Both films have garnered positive word of mouth, with "Conjuring 2" and "Now You See Me 2" both achieving an A- CinemaScore, similar to their 2013 counterparts.

The production budget for "Now You See Me 2" is estimated to be between $90 million and $100 million, not including prints and advertising costs. This figure represents a more than 25% increase compared to its predecessor. Lionsgate has invested heavily in this heist film, causing some industry insiders to question the decision, as it lacks the established brand recognition of franchises like "The Hunger Games" or "Twilight."

Despite this, Lionsgate has already committed to a third installment, retaining director Jon M. Chu. At the recent CinemaCon event, the film was given a significant spotlight, including a magic performance by David Copperfield prior to the screening. However, an unexpected incident involving a suspicious item at the Caesars Palace Colosseum theater led to a brief evacuation. Fortunately, this did not impact the film’s future prospects.

Similar to its predecessor, "Now You See Me 2" attracted an older demographic, with women making up 54% of the audience and 55% of viewers aged 25 and older. The ensemble cast, featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Daniel Radcliffe, Dave Franco, and Woody Harrelson, accounted for 20% of ticket sales. Additionally, 63% of those attending were fans of the original film.

On the other hand, "Conjuring 2," directed by the esteemed James Wan, has proven to be a worthy sequel in the horror genre. The first film, released in 2013, had a production budget of $19.5 million and grossed $318 million globally, resulting in a substantial profit of over $161 million from various revenue streams, including television and home entertainment.

The sequel, which carries a production cost of $40 million, has a modest advertising budget of around $30 million, showing New Line's expertise in reaching horror enthusiasts effectively. "Conjuring 2" recently debuted at the Los Angeles Film Festival, with audience demographics mirroring those of the first film: 52% female and 57% aged 25 and older. A remarkable 71% of the viewers identified as horror fans.

Notably, actors Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson have seen increased audience engagement, pulling in 20% and 26% of the viewership, respectively, which is a significant rise from their 3% and 2% figures in the original movie.The buzz surrounding 'Warcraft' has cooled, with projections now estimating an opening weekend of $25.7 million, landing it in second place across 3,400 theaters.

This figure is disappointing for a film that had a hefty budget of $160 million.

However, the Universal-Legendary collaboration aimed to recoup most of its expenses from the Chinese market, which boasts nearly half of the game's 5.6 million fans.

As of today, the film has ignited a strong response in China, raking in $145 million over a four-day period.

Sources suggest that 'Warcraft' could potentially finish its run in China with earnings between $200 million and $250 million.

Overall, a global total of around $500 million would be necessary for this grand tale of humans versus orcs to break even.

To mitigate any negative impact domestically, Universal and Legendary opted for an international rollout first, as a poor performance in the U.S. often dampens overseas earnings.

The question arises: why hasn't 'Warcraft' performed better at the box office in the U.S.?

Its struggle to connect with audiences cannot merely be attributed to its peculiar promotional materials, which seem to blend elements of 'Braveheart' and 'Green Lantern's Kilowog.'

The franchise appears to have run out of steam.

Introduced in 1994, the game was acquired by Legendary a decade ago, during a surge of 'World of Warcraft' subscriptions that skyrocketed from 1.5 million in 2005 to 7 million in 2006.

The peak was reached in 2010 with 12 million subscribers, but numbers have steadily declined since then.

Legendary recognized the potential of this fan-favorite property and took considerable care in its development.

When they acquired the rights, video game adaptations were all the rage; Universal and Fox had previously invested $5 million against 10% of the gross for the 'Halo' game adaptation.

In late 2009, Sam Raimi expressed interest in directing 'Warcraft,' with 'Saving Private Ryan' scribe Robert Rodat attached to write.

Initially slated for a 2009 release, the project faced delays after Raimi's exit, compounded by Blizzard's apprehensions that the human vs. orc narrative was too reminiscent of 'The Lord of the Rings.'

By 2011, 'Warcraft' was pushed to treatment status.

It wasn't until 2013 that Duncan Jones stepped in as director, convincing Blizzard that the film should focus on a shared humanity between orcs and humans.

He collaborated closely with Charles Leavitt on the script.

Filming took place in Vancouver from January to May 2014, and in April of that year, China Film Co. Ltd. made a significant equity investment in the project.

According to recent data from Comscore’s PostTrak, 'Warcraft' successfully attracted a significant portion of gamers, who made up 31% of the audience on its opening day.

The film garnered a B+ CinemaScore, which is a better rating than other video game adaptations and sequels like 'Resident Evil', 'Tomb Raider', and 'Hitman'.

Despite concerns about the influence of Rotten Tomatoes on box office performance, one non-studio executive believes that 'Warcraft' is insulated from criticism due to its established fan base, even with its 27% rating on the site.

Interestingly, the audience under 18 represented only 9% of the total, but they awarded 'Warcraft' an A-.

The demographic breakdown revealed that 64% of viewers were male, with a majority (64%) over the age of 25.

In a surprising twist, the over 50 demographic, typically more critical of such films, rated the Ben Foster and Paula Patton feature a B+.

Notably, 66% of attendees were there due to their familiarity with the video game franchise.

On its first day, 'Warcraft' earned $10.7 million, with projections of $8.6 million for Saturday and $6.4 million for Sunday, indicating a front-loaded box office performance, similar to that of 'Conjuring 2'.

As for the overall box office for June 10-12, the estimates indicate:

• 'Conjuring 2' (Warner Bros/New Line) in 3,343 theaters, earned $16.4 million on Friday (including $3.4 million from previews) for a 3-day total of $38.3 million in its first week.

  
  

• 'Warcraft' (Universal/Legendary), in 3,400 theaters, brought in $10.7 million on Friday (including $3.1 million from previews) for a 3-day total of $25.7 million in its first week.

  
  

• 'Now You See Me 2' (Lionsgate), across 3,232 theaters, made $8.4 million on Friday (including $1.75 million from previews) with a 3-day total of $23.3 million in its first week.

  
  

• 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows' (Paramount), in 4,071 theaters, collected $4 million on Friday (down 68%) with a 3-day total of $13.9 million (a drop of 61%) bringing its total to $60.1 million after its second week.

  
  

Box Office Performance Overview

1) X-Men: Apocalypse (Fox) saw a drop as it played in 3,585 theaters, losing 568 venues.
On Friday, it earned $2.7 million, a decline of 58%.
For the weekend, it accumulated a total of $9.5 million, marking a 58% decrease overall.
Its total earnings now stand at $135.6 million after three weeks.

2) Me Before You (MGM/New Line/WB) performed in 2,762 theaters, gaining 58 additional screens.
It brought in $3.1 million on Friday, down 60%.
The weekend tally was $9.3 million, a 50% drop.
Its overall gross has reached $36.8 million in its second week.

3) The Angry Birds Movie (Sony/Rovio) played in 3,083 theaters but lost 401 screens.
It generated $1.8 million on Friday, down 32%.
The three-day total was $6.8 million, reflecting a 33% drop.
Its cumulative earnings now rest at $98.3 million after four weeks.

4) Alice Through the Looking Glass (Disney) was shown in 2,898 theaters, losing a significant 865 venues.
On Friday, it earned $1.6 million, which was a 50% decline.
The weekend brought in $5.8 million, down 49%.
Its total gross so far is $62.7 million in its third week.

5) Captain America: Civil War (Disney) was featured in 2,101 theaters, shedding 983 screens.
It made $1.1 million on Friday, seeing a 48% drop.
The three-day total stood at $4.3 million, a decrease of 45%.
Its total earnings have reached $396.8 million after six weeks.

6) The Jungle Book (Disney) was shown in 1,496 theaters, losing 494.
It earned $731,000 on Friday, down 34%.
For the weekend, it totaled $2.7 million, a 39% decrease.
Overall, it has grossed $352.6 million in nine weeks.

7) Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (Universal) played in 1,581 theaters, losing 836.
It brought in $658,000 on Friday, a decline of 56%.
The three-day total was $2.1 million, down 57%.
Its cumulative earnings stand at $53.1 million after four weeks.

8) The Nice Guys (Warner Bros) was showcased in 1,147 theaters, losing 741.
It earned $547,000 on Friday, down 43%.
The weekend total came to $1.97 million, also a 43% drop.
Its total gross stands at $32.5 million after four weeks.

9) Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (Universal) was in 2,313 theaters, with a slight increase of 2 screens.
It earned $492,000 on Friday, reflecting a significant drop of 72%.
For the weekend, it totaled $1.5 million, a 68% decrease.
Its overall earnings have reached $8.1 million in its second week. 14.) Love & Friendship (Amazon/Roadside Attractions)
- Added 7 theaters, now showing in 826 locations
- Friday earnings: $397k (down 35%)
- Weekend total: $1.4m (down 33%)
- Overall total to date: $9.4m after 5 weeks

The Lobster (A24)
- No change in theater count, still at 560 locations
- Friday earnings: $237k (down 41%)
- Weekend total: $867k (down 40%)
- Overall total to date: $5.4m after 5 weeks

Here’s a breakdown of notable films and their box office performance during the opening weekend:

• Te3n : Debuted in 105 theaters, earning $74,000 on Friday, with a total of $237,000 by the end of the weekend.

  
  

• Genius : Released in 16 theaters, it made $26,000 on its first Friday, accumulating a weekend total of $86,000.

  
  

• De Palma : Showed in 3 theaters, garnering $11,000 on Friday, leading to a total of $35,000 for the weekend, with a per theater average of $12,000.

  
  

• The Music of Strangers : Also in 3 theaters, this film brought in $6,000 on Friday, resulting in a weekend total of $20,000, averaging $7,000 per theater.

  
  

• Diary of a Chambermaid : With a release in 2 theaters, it achieved $3,000 on Friday and a total of $10,000 over the weekend, averaging $5,000 per theater.

  
  

Update on Friday at noon:

Don't overlook the momentum building around Universal-Legendary's $160 million production, Warcraft.

This film, adapted from the Blizzard Entertainment gaming franchise, has shown promise in early matinee showings, potentially positioning itself for a weekend total of around $31 million.

In comparison, Warner Bros./New Line's The Conjuring 2 is projected to earn between $33 million and $35 million.

Heading into the weekend, there were concerns that interest in Warcraft had diminished from its peak in 2010, when it boasted over 12 million subscribers, now down to 5.6 million.

However, one studio executive argues that among this weekend’s three major releases, Warcraft demonstrates the strongest fan engagement and brand loyalty.

According to Comscore’s PostTrak early surveys, 31% of Warcraft viewers consider themselves serious gamers, with male audiences making up 72% of the attendance.

For Warcraft to break even, given its $110 million marketing and $160 million production budget, it needs to gross approximately $500 million globally, rather than the previously suggested $400 million or $450 million.

Foreign estimates suggest that the film could potentially generate between $200 million and $250 million from China alone throughout its run.

By the end of Sunday, the international box office total for the Duncan Jones-directed film is expected to be between $250 million and $270 million.

As always, these projections may fluctuate based on Friday’s matinee performances.

The key questions remain: How front-loaded are the box office numbers for both The Conjuring 2 and Warcraft?

Is Warcraft's current performance being boosted by pre-sales?

Some analysts predict Warcraft might only reach $27 million for the weekend, but the film has always been aimed primarily at international markets, with China showing the most enthusiasm for the game.

The Conjuring 2 is anticipated to pull in around $14 million on Friday, while Warcraft's opening day earnings are estimated to be between $11 million and $13 million.Recent PostTrak data indicates that 'Conjuring 2' is attracting a male audience, with 54% of viewers identifying as men, compared to 51% women for the original film.

The sequel boasts a solid 74% positive rating overall, with a 53% definite recommendation from viewers.

In contrast, early feedback for 'Warcraft' reveals a higher total positive score of 78%, along with 56% of viewers giving it a definite thumbs up.

Lionsgate's sequel, "Now You See Me 2," is projected to earn between $20 million and $25 million over the weekend.

With a Friday gross of $8.5 million, if it lands at the higher end of expectations, it would be one of the stronger sequel performances this year, showing only a 16% decline from the original's $29.3 million debut in 2013.

Audience reactions, according to PostTrak data, are reportedly as positive as they were for the first installment.

On the other hand, Paramount's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" is struggling against tough competition aimed at male audiences.

It's anticipated to drop around 60% in its second weekend, bringing in approximately $14 million, resulting in a total of $60.3 million over ten days.

Meanwhile, MGM/New Line's "Me Before You" is facing a more significant decline in its second weekend, expected to fall by 50% to 55%, translating to earnings between $11.5 million and $12.8 million.

In its third weekend, 20th Century Fox's "X-Men: Apocalypse" aims for around $10 million, which would lead to a total of $136.4 million after 17 days.

As of the latest update on Friday morning, the box office battle involves supernatural entities, a menacing orc-like character, and a cadre of cunning magicians.

Warner Bros. has reported that "The Conjuring 2" made an impressive $3.4 million during its Thursday night previews, drawing audiences from around 2,700 theaters.

Predictions suggest that the sequel could open in the low $30 million range, setting it up to claim the top spot at the box office.

This result marks the best preshow performance for a horror film since the original "The Conjuring" earned $3.3 million back in 2013.

The first installment was a major success, debuting with a remarkable $41.9 million and eventually amassing a total of $137.4 million domestically and $318 million globally.

Directed by James Wan, the original film received an A- CinemaScore, a rarity in the horror genre, where a B+ is often considered a strong score.

Critics praised the first "Conjuring" with an 86% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while the sequel has garnered a 74% rating.

The target demographic for "The Conjuring 2" appears to be women, following the trend of the first film, which attracted 53% female viewers, with 59% of its audience over the age of 25.

While many industry experts believe "The Conjuring 2" will meet its initial weekend expectations, a segment of analysts is cautious.

They worry that some horror fans might perceive the sequel as a third installment, especially considering the mixed reception of the 2014 spinoff "Annabelle."

Despite its strong opening of $37.1 million, "Annabelle" struggled to maintain momentum, finishing with a 2.3 multiplier and a total of $84.3 million domestically, although it was still profitable given its modest $6.5 million production budget.

Universal has announced that Legendary's film adaptation of the renowned video game, Warcraft, earned $3.1 million during its opening night across 2,632 theaters.

Industry analysts predict that the film will open domestically with figures around the low $20 million range.

Warcraft has already made a significant impact internationally, breaking records in China with an impressive $90 million earned in just two days.

Additionally, it has amassed nearly $80 million from various overseas markets, bringing its total international earnings to approximately $170 million.

The film is set to screen in 3,396 venues, including IMAX and 3D formats.

Who is the primary audience for Warcraft? One distribution executive described it succinctly: “It’s a videogamer’s movie.”

When comparing Thursday's earnings to other films, Warcraft's $3.1 million surpassed the $2.1 million from Paramount’s Hercules, which ultimately grossed $29.8 million.

However, it fell short when placed alongside World War Z and Pacific Rim, both of which had $3.6 million preview nights and went on to earn $66.4 million and $37.3 million, respectively.

The film, co-financed by Universal and Legendary, had a production budget of $160 million and a worldwide marketing spend of approximately $110 million.

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