The latest box office battle saw the indie horror Terrifier 3 taking the lead in its early previews, while Joker: Folie à Deux experienced a modest first-week performance. Here’s a breakdown of the highlights and how other recent releases are faring.
Terrifier 3 Hits Impressive Preview Numbers
Terrifier 3, a slasher film by Cineverse, earned $2.6 million during its Thursday previews. The unrated horror film, which cost Cineverse under $5 million in total, looks set to potentially overtake Joker: Folie a Deux this weekend with a projected $11 million or more in box office earnings.
Audience Reception
- Rotten Tomatoes Scores:
- 94% Audience Score
- 78% Critics’ Score
- PostTrak: Audience exits for Terrifier 3 were not captured.
Cineverse’s CEO, Chris McGurk, expressed delight over the early success, noting that Terrifier 3’s strong start showcases the power of a quality indie film to hold its own against major studio productions.
Joker: Folie a Deux First-Week Performance
Despite its hype, Joker: Folie à Deux ended its first week with a total of $44.55 million after earning $1.1 million on Thursday—a 12% drop from Wednesday. Compared to other recent releases:
- The film trailed behind The Marvels, which brought in $54.8 million during its opening week.
- However, it outperformed Furiosa, which grossed $38.9 million in its first week.
Box Office Comparison
- The Marvels: Had a 72% drop in its second week, ultimately earning $84.5 million domestically.
- Furiosa: Dropped by 60% in its second week and finished with $67.4 million.
Other Thursday Preview Releases
A few other notable releases hit theaters on Thursday night:
Piece by Piece: Pharrell Williams LEGO Documentary
- Revenue: $450K from 1,500 theaters
- Weekend Projection: $3 million – $9 million
- Reception:
- 60% definite recommend
- 4.5 stars on PostTrak
- 86% on Rotten Tomatoes
My Hero Academia: You’re Next by Toho International
- Revenue: $413K from previews
- Theater Count: 1,845 locations
- The previous My Hero Academia film opened to $6.2 million and finished with $12.2 million.
Saturday Night: SNL Origins Film by Sony
- Revenue: $370K from previews
- Weekend Projection: $3 million – $5 million
- Reception:
- 92% audience score
- 84% positive on PostTrak
- 80% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes
The Apprentice: Trump Documentary by Briarcliff Entertainment
- Revenue: $150K from previews
- Reception:
- 2.5 stars on PostTrak
- 45% definite recommend
- 79% on Rotten Tomatoes
Looking Ahead
As Terrifier 3 continues to impress, its success may inspire more indie films to challenge major studio releases. Meanwhile, Joker: Folie a Deux and other recent releases will aim to stabilize their box office numbers as audiences weigh in.
For additional information, visit Cineverse, Rotten Tomatoes, and PostTrak for updated ratings and weekend projections.