With Halloween now two weeks away, Sony has released its second monster-themed family film in as many months.Goosebumps, a live action/CGI adaptation of the best-selling book series byR.L. Stine, won’t come close to the $48.4 million debut of September’sHotel Transylvania 2, but it should prove strong enough to knockThe Martianout of its first place orbit.
Goosebumpsearned an estimated $7.35 million from 3,501 locations on its first day in theatres. That indicates an opening weekend of $25 million, though some projections put it a bit higher. Exactly where the PG-rated pic falls will depend on how strongThe Martianproves in its third frame. Yesterday, the Fox hit earned an estimated $6.3 million, trailingGoosebumpsby just over $1 million. For the three-day weekend the two-time box office champ should add another $22 million to its domestic total.
Three additional new releases hit theatres on Friday, each targeting a different demographic.Bridge of Spies, an early Oscar contender directed bySteven Spielbergand starringTom Hanks, opened in third place. The cold war thriller earned an estimated $5.3 million from 2,811 locations, putting it on track for $16 million through Sunday. That’s a bit higher than some projections had the film opening, though it falls below the $21 million that Spielberg’s last feature,Lincoln, collected on its first weekend in wide release. On a more positive note,Bridge of Spiesreceived an ‘A’ rating from CinemaScore audiences, which should translate into strong multiples in the weeks to come.
Not fated to fare as well in the long run, at least based on its ‘B-’ CinemaScore, is Universal’sCrimson Peak. The R-rated gothic horror pic from directorGuillermo del Toroopened with an estimated $5.2 million from 2,984 locations yesterday, but is expected to taper off (in the time-honored tradition of many horror films) as the weekend progresses.Crimson Peakshould gross $13 million in its first three days – just a bit below the $15 million that Universal expected.
Friday’s final new release wasWoodlawn, a faith-based sports drama from indie distributor Pure Flix.Woodlawnopened in eighth place with an estimated $1.5 million yesterday and is expected to top $4 million through Sunday. That would be a big win for this low budget pic playing in just 1,500 locations.90 Minutes in HeavenandCaptive, the last faith-based films to hit the box office, have reached totals of just $4.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, after multiple weeks in theatres.
Here’s Friday’s top five chart:
Goosebumps
$7,350,000
The Martian
$6,325,000
Bridge of Spies
$5,347,000
Crimson Peak
$5,270,000
Hotel Transylvania 2
$3,350,000
