IT dominates box office with a second weekend of $120.3 million globally
New Line Cinema‘s IT dominated the box office a second straight weekend, grossing $60 million domestically for a two-week total of $218.7 million. That makes IT the largest-grossing film ever in September for North America. Internationally, the film opened in 10 additional markets and earned $60.3 million from 15,375 screens in 56 markets. This brings the overseas total to $152.6 million and worldwide sum to $371.3 million. The top international markets this weekend were Mexico ($13.8 million), the UK ($8.2 million), Australia and Russia ($4 million), and Brazil ($3.4 million). IT cost about $35 million to make.
Directed by Andrés Muschietti, IT stars Bill Skarsgård as the story’s central villain, Pennywise the clown. An ensemble of young actors also star in the film, including Jaeden Lieberher (Midnight Special), Jeremy Ray Taylor (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip), Sophia Lillis (37), Finn Wolfhard (TV’s Stranger Things), Wyatt Oleff (Guardians of the Galaxy), Chosen Jacobs (upcoming Cops and Robbers), Jack Dylan Grazer (Tales of Halloween) and Nicholas Hamilton (Captain Fantastic). A sequel to IT is already in the works with Gary Dauberman writing the script.
CBS Films and Lionsgate’s American Assassin opened in second place domestically with $14.8 million from 3,154 locations, an average of $4,692 per theater. American Assassin took in $6.2 million from 41 international markets as well. Made for $33 million, the action thriller received a B+ CinemaScore from audiences. American Assassin was directed by Michael Cuesta and stars Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Taylor Kitsch, Sanaa Lathan, and Shiva Negar.
Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller mother!, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer, debuted in the third spot with $7.5 million from 2,368 theaters, an average of $3,167. Internationally, the Paramount Pictures release grossed $6 million in 16 markets this weekend. Made for $30 million, mother! received the dreaded F CinemaScore from audiences, which means word of mouth will probably kill this one off quickly.
Dropping two spots to fourth was Open Road Films’ romantic comedy Home Again, starring Reese Witherspoon. The film added $5.3 million this weekend and has grossed $17.1 million in two weeks. Written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, Home Again cost just $12 million to make.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard (Lionsgate) rounded out the top five with $3.5 million and a total of $70.4 million after five weeks. Produced for $30 million, the Patrick Hughes-directed action comedy stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson.
Also of note was War for the Planet of the Apes‘ China release. The film earned an impressive $62.3 million from 30,000 screens in the middle kingdom, which means the international total climbs to $287.9 million. Domestically, the 20th Century Fox release has earned $145.8 million and worldwide it’s at $433.7 million, which is still below Rise of the Planet of the Apes ($481.8 million) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes ($710.6 million).