A Haunting in Venice uncovers $1.2M in previews at the Thursday box office

The third film in Kenneth Branagh’s re-imagined Hercule Poirot series, A Haunting in Venice, earned $1.2M at Thursday Preview screenings. The spooktacular adaptation of Agatha Christie‘s Hallowe’en novel could perform similarly to other chapters of Branagh’s Poirot films, with a weekend gross of roughly $15M.

While the numbers barely move the needle compared to 2023’s other box office barn burners, it’s worth noting that A Haunting in Venice is Branagh’s best-reviewed Poirot film with a 77% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Poirot’s latest case might not pack the star power of 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express or 2022’s Death on the Nile. Still, it includes Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh and multi-talented funny gal Tina Fey. If A Haunting in Venice plays its tarot cards right, it could send The Nun II to the back of the pews after a 60%+ dip in attendance.

A Haunting in Venice delivers a scary mystery in 3,305 theaters, including Imax and PLF screenings, which charge more for big screens and sound luxury.

A Haunting in Venice is set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve. It is a terrifying mystery featuring the return of the celebrated sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.

Kenneth Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot, with Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Kelly Reilly, Kyle Allen, Jude Hill, Emma Laird, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ali Khan, Tina Fey, and Camille Cottin leading the cast.

Branagh also produced A Haunting in Venice with Judy Hofflund, Ridley Scott, and Simon Kinberg. Louise Killin, James Prichard, and Mark Gordon serve as executive producers. Hildur Guđnadóttir, who provided the Oscar-winning score for Joker, has also composed the score for this film.

Do you think A Haunting in Venice can defeat The Nun II at the box office this weekend? Are you digging the spooky vibes of Poirot’s latest case? Is the palazzo haunted, or is this a Scooby-Doo situation? You can find out this weekend now that the film is in theaters!