Current:Home > Invest'The Nun 2' scares up $32.6 million at the box office, takes down 'Equalizer 3' for No. 1 -Capitatum
'The Nun 2' scares up $32.6 million at the box office, takes down 'Equalizer 3' for No. 1
Rekubit View
Date:2025-04-06 12:39:47
Like many horrors before it, bad reviews didn't scare off moviegoers from buying tickets for "The Nun II." The sequel to the 2018 hit topped the box office in its first weekend in North American theaters, earning an estimated $32.6 million.
USA TODAY's Brian Truitt called it "a major improvement on the first 'Nun' " but ranked it fifth of the nine "Conjuring" movies, and audiences gave it a C+ on CinemaScore. It hardly matters: Horror is perhaps the most reliably critic-proof genre, at least when it comes to opening weekend.
The Michael Graves-directed sequel starring Taissa Farmiga and Storm Reid fell far short of the debut for the first film ($53.8 million), but it's still a solid launch. "The Nun" movies are part of the so-called "Conjuring" universe, which has $2.1 billion in box office. The sequel also played well internationally, picking up $52.7 million from 69 markets (Mexico being the strongest with $8.9 million) and boosting its global debut to $85.3 million.
Horror preview:Peep these 20 new scary movies for Halloween, from 'The Nun 2' to 'Exorcist: Believer'
"To have a horror universe is really powerful in terms of the revenue-generating potential," says Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore. "It's a great bet that (Warner Bros.) made on the horror moviegoing experience never waning."
And there are many more scary movies on the calendar through the fall including "Saw X" on Sept. 29 and "The Exorcist: Believer" on Oct. 6.
"The Nun II" bumped Denzel Washington's "Equalizer 3" to second place in its second weekend. "Equalizer" added $12.1 million, bringing its domestic grosses to $61.9 million and its worldwide earnings to $107.7 million.
Third place went to another new film: The third installment of Nia Vardalos's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which arrives 21 years after the first film became a massive sleeper hit earning $369 million against a $5 million production budget. The third film earned an estimated $10 million, overwhelmingly driven by female audiences (71%) who were 25 or older (83%).
Vardalos wrote, directed and stars in "Greek Wedding 3," which brings back John Corbett and takes the gang to Greece. AP's Jocelyn Noveck wrote in her review that the movie, which has gotten mostly poor marks, is "like a thrice-warmed piece of baklava."
The Indian revenge thriller, "Jawan," starring Shah Rukh Khan, opened in fourth place with $6.2 million from only 813 locations. It was released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Khan, a Bollywood superstar, also led another box-office sensation this year, "Pathaan," which has made $130 million worldwide.
"Barbie," which arrives on demand Tuesday, dropped to No. 5 after eight triumphant weeks with $5.9 million. The film has now made $620.5 million domestically.
Final numbers are expected Monday.
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3':Rita Wilson talks surprise ‘phenomenon’ of the original film
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- The Excerpt podcast: Can abandoned coal mines bring back biodiversity to an area?
- Kentucky governor touts rising college enrollments while making pitch for increased campus funding
- Appeal by fired Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker in sex harassment case denied
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Think Bill Belichick is retiring? Then I've got a closet of cut-off hoodies to sell you
- Ozzy Osbourne praises T-Pain's version of Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs': 'The best cover'
- Campaign advocate for abortion rights makes plea for Kentucky lawmakers to relax abortion ban
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- The Cast of Sabrina The Teenage Witch Will Have a Magical Reunion at 90s Con
Ranking
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Tom Brady reacts to Bill Belichick, Patriots parting ways with heartfelt message
- Microsoft briefly outshines Apple as world's most valuable company
- Again! Again! Here's why toddlers love to do things on repeat
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- The US failed to track more than $1 billion in military gear given Ukraine, Pentagon watchdog says
- Number of police officer deaths dropped last year, report finds
- Taiwan prepares to elect a president and legislature in what’s seen as a test of control with China
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Is eye color surgery the new fad? Interest soars as doctors warn of permanent risks.
Who is Crown Prince Frederik, Denmark’s soon-to-be king?
Taiwan's History of Colonialism Forged Its Distinct Cuisine
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
The Pittsburgh Foundation, Known for its Environmentalism, Shares a Lobbying Firm with the Oil and Gas Industry
St. Paul makes history with all-female city council, a rarity among large US cities
Federal appeals court grants petition for full court to consider Maryland gun law