This weekend, the cinematic landscape is dominated by a fierce competition as Him, produced by the acclaimed Jordan Peele, vies for the title of the weekend's box office champion. However, it faces tough rivalry from the enduring anime sensation, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie Infinity Castle. Released by Universal in collaboration with Peele's production company, Monkeypaw, Him managed to secure $6.4 million on Friday and is projected to conclude the weekend with an estimated total of $15 million.
On the other hand, Demon Slayer continues to impress audiences globally, having set a remarkable record with a staggering $70 million opening in the U.S. just last weekend. Despite experiencing a significant drop of 77 percent in ticket sales, it is still anticipated to emerge victorious at the box office, with projections placing its weekend earnings around $16 million. Hailing from the Sony-owned Crunchyroll, this anime phenomenon has already amassed an impressive $419.2 million worldwide, solidifying its status as a global blockbuster.
While Demon Slayer thrives, the weekend has not been as kind to other projects under the Sony umbrella. The highly anticipated romantic fantasy film, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, is projected to end its opening weekend with a disappointing $3.8 million, landing it in sixth place. This film follows the story of a man and a woman as they relive pivotal moments from their lives, but it has struggled to resonate with audiences, earning a B- CinemaScore and receiving lukewarm reviews.
Interestingly, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey marks Margot Robbie's first leading role following the success of Barbie, which revitalized box office numbers two years ago. The film was directed by Kogonada, based on a script from Seth Reiss. Unfortunately, the film's underperformance reflects the challenges faced by new releases in the current box office climate.
Similarly, Him has received mediocre reviews, indicating that it may struggle to maintain ticket sales as well. The film stars Tyriq Withers as a promising NFL quarterback prospect whose life takes a tragic turn when he is blindsided by an attacker, resulting in severe brain trauma. In a bid for redemption, he finds hope in the form of Marlon Wayans' character, a legendary quarterback known as the GOAT, who offers to mentor him at his private facility. Directed by Justin Tipping, Him has also not fared well with audiences, achieving a C- CinemaScore.
As the weekend unfolds, the battle for box office supremacy continues, with Demon Slayer appearing poised to maintain its reign despite steep competition from Him. Meanwhile, other films, like A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, highlight the unpredictable nature of the film industry and the challenges new releases face in capturing audience interest.
