Of all the DC movies that have been hitting theaters over the last few years, Shazam! may be the least recognized character to get his own solo movie, but it looks like he will have no problem lighting up the box office this weekend. The latest movie in the DC universe hits theaters everywhere today, and prospects are looking great for a victorious opening weekend after earning $5.9 million from its first Thursday night showings.
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To that Thursday total we can add the early Amazon Prime screenings that were held on March 23, and with just over $3 million there the superhero flick is at over $9 million going into the weekend. That Thursday preview total comes in a tad under the $9 million last December’s AQUAMAN was able to net ($13 million including Amazon screenings), but that movie also had the holiday frame to work in. SHAZAM!’s frame is more than other recent Warner Bros. hits like READY PLAYER ONE (3.7 million) and THE NUN (5.4 million), hinting it should have an opening weekend in the $50-60 million range.
With a solid opening weekend frame, the movie should have no trouble getting to $100 million and beyond before the massive AVENGERS: ENDGAME likely takes away all of the remaining business. Always expected to be a modest hit compared to WONDER WOMAN and AQUAMAN, SHAZAM! had a much lower production cost (grand total about $100 million, per Deadline), which means making back a profit should be easy for WB – which along with the stellar reviews looks good for a prospective sequel.
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Another anticipated movie hitting theaters this week is the Stephen King adaptation PET SEMATARY, which opened to about $2.3 million for its Thursday previews. That obviously pales in comparison to the amount IT made for its Thursday ($13.5 million), but that’s solid for a horror movie and teases about $20-30 million for the opening weekend. Reviews have been solid for the new take on the King tale, though audiences seem to be splitting with critics, as it already has a poor 48% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the 70% from critics.
So, did any of you lend your cash to either of these movies last night. I went and saw SHAZAM! and had a really fun time with it, as did the crowd, who were laughing hysterically in more than several parts. It should be a big hit in the coming weeks with audiences who want some simple, enjoyable blockbuster excitement, and I wouldn't even be surprised if it went past expectations this weekend and beyond.
SHAZAM! starring Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer and Mark Strong is in theaters now, and so is PET SEMATARY with Jason Clarke and John Lithgow.