Weekend Box Office: Scary Movie Reboot Breaks Franchise Record

The Scary Movie reboot earned an estimated $55 million domestically in its opening weekend, setting a new franchise record and surpassing the $49.7 million debut of Scary Movie 4 in 2006.

Multiple new films opened at the domestic box office this weekend, with Paramount and Miramax's Scary Movie reboot leading all releases and setting a franchise record for opening weekend gross.

'Scary Movie' Performance

The Scary Movie reboot, directed by Michael Tiddes, earned an estimated $7.5 million to $7.7 million in Thursday previews that began at 2 PM. The film's opening Friday gross was reported as $24.7 million from 3,490 theaters. Projections for the three-day weekend range from $40 million to $56 million, which would surpass the franchise's previous opening weekend record of $49.7 million set by Scary Movie 4 in 2006.

One source reported a domestic opening gross of $55 million and a global total of $105.5 million, including $50.5 million from international markets.

The film's production budget is reported as $30 million, financed by Miramax.

Major International Markets

Audience and Critical Reception

The film holds a 29% critics' score and a 68% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Audience demographics reported by one source indicate:

• 37% Latino and Hispanic, 36% Caucasian, 21% Black, 6% other
• 78% under age 35
• 88% described themselves as franchise fans; 90% had seen a previous Scary Movie film

The film recorded 3.76 million admissions in the U.S., with 41% of Saturday's business occurring after 8 PM.

Cast and Crew

The cast includes Anna Faris as Cindy Campbell, Regina Hall as Brenda Meeks, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Kenan Thompson, Dave Sheridan, Lochlyn Munro, Carmen Electra, Kim Wayans, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, and Heidi Gardner.

The script was co-written by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, and Rick Alvarez. This marks the first involvement of the Wayans family in the franchise since Scary Movie 2 (2001).

The film parodies recent horror films including Terrifier, Smile, Wednesday, Get Out, Scream, Long Legs, Sinners, M3GAN, and Weapons.

Trailer Performance

The first trailer debuted exclusively in theaters ahead of Scream 7, generating over 300 million views. The official launch delivered over 410 million views in the first seven days, reported as the second-biggest trailer debut in Paramount history.

'Masters of the Universe' Performance

Amazon MGM Studios' Masters of the Universe earned approximately $4 million to $4.4 million in Thursday previews beginning at 2 PM. The film opened in second place with $11.7 million on Friday from 3,677 screens, projecting a $30 million to $35 million opening weekend.

One source reported a domestic gross of $29.3 million and a global total of $54.3 million against a production budget reported as either $170 million or $200 million.

The film holds a 71% critics' score and an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film is directed by Travis Knight and stars Nicholas Galitzine, Idris Elba, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, and Jared Leto. It is based on 1980s toys and a cartoon series.

Audience demographics reported by one source indicate the largest demographic was ages 45-54 at 29%. Kids under 12 represented 5% and ages 13-17 represented 6% of the audience.

Other Weekend Releases

'The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act'

Fathom Entertainment and Glitch Productions' The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act earned $7.8 million in Thursday previews, the highest of any new release. It is based on a YouTube web series and is reported to represent Fathom's highest pre-sales ever.

The film debuted in fifth place with $4.6 million on Friday from 2,221 theaters, projecting $14.1 million for the full weekend. It is directed by Gooseworx and features voice actors Lizzie Freeman, Michael Kovach, Amanda Hufford, and Marissa Lenti.

'Backrooms'

A24's Backrooms placed third with $7.9 million on its second Friday, projecting $25 million for the weekend. This represents a 69% drop from its $81.5 million opening. The film, directed by Kane Parsons (age 20), was produced for approximately $10 million.

'Obsession'

Focus Features' Obsession took fourth place with $7.4 million on its fourth Friday, projecting $24 million for the weekend. Its domestic total is expected to reach $151 million; the film was made for under $1 million.

Box Office Comparisons

Scary Movie's previews were higher than Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($5.875 million previews) and close to Scream 7 ($7.8 million previews). Masters of the Universe's previews were slightly below Ghostbusters: Afterlife ($4.5 million previews) and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire ($4.7 million previews).