Swift beats Scorsese at the box office

NEW YORK — In a movie pairing almost as unlikely as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” Martin Scorsese went up against Taylor Swift in theaters over the weekend. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” is a second-time box office hit, while Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” is off to a strong start in Apple Studios’ first big theatrical gamble.

“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” grossed an estimated $31 million from 3,855 locations over the weekend, following a record-breaking $92.8 million opening weekend, according to AMC Theatres. In an unusual deal, the theater chain is distributing Swift’s concert film and playing it only Thursdays through Sundays.

Many Swifties rushed to see the movie on opening weekend, with a large percentage of sales coming from advance ticketing. Sales dropped a steep 67% in its second weekend; This probably indicates that the “Eras Tour” is predominantly a weekend opening phenomenon.

But the “Eras Tour” still proved to be a cinema event unlike any other. Within days, it became the highest-grossing concert film ever in North America, not counting inflation. 129.8 million dollars were quickly accumulated domestically.

More was starring in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a historical crime drama about a series of murders against the Osage people in the early 1920s. The film, which cost at least 200 million dollars to produce, is Apple Studios’ biggest production ever. The streamer has partnered with Paramount Pictures to release Scorsese’s adaptation of David Grann’s best-selling novel in 3,628 theaters, with plans to later release it on Apple TV+ at an undisclosed date.

“Killers of the Flower Moon” debuted with $23 million, the third-best opening for the 80-year-old Scorsese, behind “Shutter Island” ($41 million in 2010) and “The Departed” ($26.9 million in 2006). happened. Scorsese’s latest work, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro, may have a rocky road to profitability, but it’s a successful debut for a 206-minute, adult-skewing drama. ” has struggled mightily at the box office in recent years.

And with rave reviews, an “A-” CinemaScore from audiences and the backing of a strong Oscar campaign, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is expected to continue doing well in the long run. It added 21 million dollars abroad.

“Killer of the Flower Moon” also holds the distinction of being the best wide release for a film from a streaming company. Netflix (which backed Scorsese’s last narrative film, “The Irishman,” in 2019) has charted a mostly limited approach to theatrical release, while Apple and Amazon, which closed on its MGM acquisition last year, have pursued more expansive theatrical strategies.

Earlier this year, Apple announced plans to spend $1 billion a year making movies that will debut in theaters before hitting the streaming service. Apple is also behind Ridley Scott’s new film “Napoleon,” with Joaquin Phoenix, to be distributed by Sony Pictures on November 22, and is partnering with Universal for Matthew Vaughn’s “Argylle,” due out on February 2. founded.

Paramount had initially signed a deal to produce and distribute “Killers of the Flower Moon,” but reached an agreement with Apple when costs for the project, which was shot during the pandemic, rose.

“If ‘flexibility’ is the new mantra of the motion picture business, then that’s a significant accomplishment; it creates a viable option for companies,” said David A. Gross, principal of film consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “Killers of the Flower Moon” launch.

Although “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” are different, they are also similar in terms of their extended airtime. A double feature of the weekend’s two best movies would take you six hours and 14 minutes, not counting commercials and trailers.

“The Killers of the Flower Moon” also attracted more young moviegoers than you might expect. Paramount said 44 percent of ticket buyers are under 30.

Horror movie “Exorcist: The Believer,” directed by David Gordon Green, came in a distant third place with $6.7 million in its third weekend of release. The Universal, Blumhouse film grossed $54.2 million domestically.

“PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” ranked No. 4 with $4.3 million in its fourth weekend. Coming in fifth place was the re-release of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which grossed $4.1 million 30 years after it first hit theaters.

Estimated ticket sales at U.S. and Canadian theaters from Friday through Sunday, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be announced on Monday.

1. “Taylor Swift: Eras Tour,” $31 million.

2. “The Killers of the Flower Moon” $23 million.

3. “The Exorcist: The Believer,” $5.6 million.

4. “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” $4.5 million.

5. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” $4.1 million.

6. “I Saw X,” $3.6 million.

7. “The Creator,” $2.6 million.

8. “Leo: Bloody Sweet,” $2.1 million.

9. “A Haunted in Venice,” $1.1 million.

10. “Blind,” $1 million.