In a remarkable turn of events, Warner Bros. has achieved its third consecutive box office victory, largely attributed to the success of New Line’s highly praised supernatural horror-thriller, Final Destination Bloodlines. The film has taken the top position at the box office, generating an impressive $20.8 million on its opening Friday from 3,523 cinemas, which includes $5.5 million from Thursday previews. With projections estimating an opening weekend total between $46 million and $48 million, this marks a franchise-best performance, successfully reviving a series that first captivated audiences 25 years ago.
The previous installment, Final Destination 5, released in 2011, opened with $18 million (not adjusted for inflation). The latest film, Bloodlines, directed by Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky, has been embraced by both critics and audiences alike. The R-rated film features Kaitlyn Santa Juana as a young woman who uncovers her grandmother's ability to cheat death, saving lives but with dire consequences. The cast also includes Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, Tony Todd, Gabrielle Rose, Brec Bassinger, and Max Lloyd-Jones.
Warner Bros. is not just winning with Bloodlines but is also dominating the upper tiers of the box office chart. Ryan Coogler’s critically acclaimed film, Sinners, now in its fifth weekend, remains a strong contender, closely trailing Disney and Marvel’s Thunderbolts. This superhero film is projected to secure between $15 million and $16 million in its third weekend, pushing its domestic total above $150 million and clearing the $300 million mark globally. Sinners may earn as much as $15 million this weekend, bringing its North American tally to over $240 million.
Additionally, the Minecraft Movie is enjoying a strong hold in its seventh weekend, likely finishing in fourth place with earnings between $5.5 million and $6 million. This video game adaptation remains the highest-grossing film of the year to date, amassing over $900 million worldwide. Rounding out the top five is Amazon MGM Studios’ The Accountant, starring Ben Affleck, which is expected to gross $4.6 million in its fourth outing, contributing to a solid domestic total nearing $60 million.
In contrast, the outlook for Lionsgate and Live Nation’s Hurry Up Tomorrow, a musical psychological thriller featuring Abel Tesfaye (also known as The Weeknd), appears bleak. This companion piece to his studio album is anticipated to open in sixth place with earnings between $3 million and $3.6 million. Co-starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, the film has received harsh criticism and a disappointing C- CinemaScore. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the story follows a fictionalized version of Tesfaye as a musician spiraling into a mental breakdown, drawn into an existential journey by a mysterious stranger.
At the specialty box office, A24’s Friendship is set to expand into 62 locations, projected to earn $2.5 million with a per-theater average of $23,333, marking the best average of the weekend. As the box office landscape evolves, it’s clear that Warner Bros. is making significant strides with its latest releases, particularly with the thrilling comeback of the Final Destination franchise.
