It’s been seven years sinceTom Hanks’Robert Langdonappeared on the big screen withAngels & Demons. It seems that absence may not make the heart grow fonder in this case, sinceTom Hanks' new Robert Langdon filmInfernoopened in second place with a measly $15 million, behind repeat winnerBoo! A Madea Halloweenwith $16.6 million. The opening weekend figure is the lowest in franchise history, and it remains to be seen whether this franchise will continue after this disappointing opening.
Box Office Mojoreports thatInfernoopened in 3,576 theaters for a middling $4,195 per-screen average, which is by far the lowestbox office debutin this franchise.The Da Vinci Codeopened in 3,757 theaters back in May 2006 with an impressive opening weekend tally of $77 million. It would go on to earn $217.5 million domestically and $540.7 million internationally for a worldwide total of $758.2 million. It’s 2009 follow-upAngels & Demonsopened at $46.2 million domestically, going on to earn $133.3 million domestically, $352.5 million internationally and $485.9 million worldwide.Infernowasn’t a big hit with critics either, scoring just a 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
This new adventure finds the famous symbologist (Tom Hanks) on a trail of clues tied to the great Dante himself. When Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones), a doctor he hopes will help him recover his memories. Together, they race across Europe and against the clock to stop a madman from unleashing a global virus that would wipe out half of the world’s population.
Academy Award winnerRon Howardreturns to direct the latest bestseller in Dan Brown’s billion-dollar Robert Langdon series, Inferno. The film’s screenplay is written byDavid Koepp, based upon the novel by Dan Brown, withBrian GrazerandRon Howardserving as the producers. The supporting cast forInfernois rounded out byIrrfan Khanas Harry Sims, a.k.a. The Provost,Omar Syas Christoph Bruder andSidse Babett Knudsenas Dr. Elizabeth Sinskey, the head of the World Health Organization.Ben Fosteris playing the villain Bertrand Zobrist, a scientist trying to unleash a global plague that will solve the world’s problem with overpopulation.
We reported last week thatInfernois already off to a good start at theinternational box office, picking up $50 million in its overseas debut, and its international total has now grown to $132.7 million from a $75 million budget. After Sony hosted the world premiere screening in Florence, Italy last week, Italy became the top international market forInferno, earning $5 million from 676 screens, while Germany and Russia both pulled in $4.4 million apiece. The film earned $3.8 million in the U.K., followed by $2 million in Spain and $1.2 million in the Netherlands.Infernoalso launched in 11 Latin American markets for a combined total of $9 million. Brazil lead the way among the Latin American debuts with $4 million, followed by Mexico ($2.6 million). Southeast Asia generated $6 million in seven markets, led by Taiwan with $1.7 million, India with $1.3 million and Indonesia with $ 1 million. Australia launched with $1.8 million and the UAE took in $1 million.
The top 5 is rounded out byJack Reacher: Never Go Backwith $9.5 million,The Accountantwith $8.4 million andOuija: Origin of Evilwith $7 million. The top 10 will be rounded out byThe Girl on the Train($4.2 million),Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children($3.9 million),Keeping Up with the Joneses($3.3 million),Kevin Hart: What Now?($2.6 million) and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil ($2.1 million). Also debuting in limited release is Magnolia’s documentaryGimme Danger, which earned $44,025 from three theaters for a $14,675 per-screen average. No box office data was released for Argentum’s romanceNew Lifeand Paladin’s horror-thrillerThe Unspokenwill debut in limited release.
Last weekend,Moonlightearned $402,075 from four theaters, for an astounding $100,519 per-screen average. That per-screen average was the highest of any movie released this year, and the second best in the past two years, behind onlyThe Revenant, which earned $474,560 from four theaters last year for a per-screen average of $118,640 last December. The critics are already raving aboutMoonlight, which has an astounding 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with just one “rotten” review out of 79. This weekend, the film expanded to 36 theaters, earning an impressive $900,826 for a $25,023 per-screen average. The film is set for a nationwide expansion set for November 4, going up againstDoctor Strange. Depending on how wide the expansion is, and ifMoonlightcan continue to post impressive numbers this weekend, it may be able to sneak into the top 10.
Looking ahead to next weekend, Marvel’s highly-anticipatedDoctor Strangewill go up against Lionsgate’sHacksaw Ridgeand DreamWorks Animation’sTrollsin wide release, although no theater counts have been given yet. Also opening in limited theatrical release is Magnolia’s documentaryHarry Benson: Shoot First, Focus Features' dramaLovingand another Magnolia documentary,Peter and the Fire. The Orion Pictures' horror-comedyTrash Firewill also open in limited release on Wednesday, November 2. Take a look at the box office estimates for the top 10 below, for the weekend of October 28.
