Timothee Chalamet and “Wonka” topped the box office charts for the third time in its four weekends in theaters. Warner Bros.’ family-oriented musical added US$14.4 million in ticket sales according to studio estimates Sunday, bringing its total domestic grosses to US$164.7 million.
But 2024 is getting off to a slower start than last year, down around 16%, with the Universal/Blumhouse horror “Night Swim” as the only major new offering in theaters. The movie stars Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon as a couple with a sinister, supernatural swimming pool.
“Night Swim” drew in an estimated US$12 million in its first weekend in 3,250 theaters in North America against a reported US$15 million production budget. Including international showings in 36 markets, “Night Swim” is heading towards a US$17.7 million global debut.
“Not only did it perform really well at the box office, but it’s going to make us look at every swimming pool with a little more trepidation,” said Jim Orr, Universal’s head of domestic distribution.
Horror movies are largely critic-proof, but with fairly negative reviews and a C CinemaScore rating, it’s unlikely to repeat the viral success of last year’s demon doll movie “M3GAN.”
Warner Bros. and Universal placed third and fourth on the charts as well. Warner Bros.’ DC superhero movie “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” earned US$10.6 million in its third weekend, bumping its domestic tally just over the US$100 million mark. Universal’s animated “Migration” added US$10.3 million, bringing its running domestic total to US$77.8 million.
Sony’s Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney romantic comedy “Anyone But You” landed in fifth place with US$9.5 million, up 9% from last weekend. The movie has grossed US$43.7 million to date.
