IT opens to a record-breaking $179.2 million worldwide
New Line Cinema‘s IT is a monster, earning an incredible $117.2 million this weekend from 4,103 domestic theaters, an average of $28,552 per location. The long list of records for this impressive opening include: it’s the largest opening ever for a horror movie; the largest 3-day opening weekend for an R-rated movie; the 3rd-largest opening in 2017; the largest opening for a September movie (beating Hotel Transylvania 2‘s $48.5 million); the largest IMAX opening weekend ($7 million) for a movie in September and a horror movie; the largest number of locations for an R-rated movie; and it’s the largest opening weekend ever for New Line. The $13.5 million IT earned at Thursday previews was the largest Thursday pre-show ever for a horror movie, the largest for an R-rated movie (beating Deadpool‘s $12.7 million), the largest pre-show for a September release, and the biggest for New Line.
IT cost about $35 million to make and received a B+ CinemaScore from audiences. Approximately 175 theaters are closed this weekend in Florida due to Hurricane Irma. Florida typically represents about 5.5 – 6.5% of the domestic gross.
Internationally, IT earned has earned $62 million from 10,665 screens in 46 markets, which is the biggest opening ever for a horror film. The worldwide total is already at $179.2 million. The top international markets were the UK with $12.3 million, Russia with $6.7 million, Australia with $5.9 million, Brazil with $5.6 million, Korea with $4.3 million and Spain with $3.1 million.
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. Muschietti is expected to return, but he hasn’t signed a deal yet.
Opening in second place domestically was Open Road Films romantic comedy Home Again, starring Reese Witherspoon. Written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, the film earned $9 million at 2,940 theaters, for an average of $3,071 per location. Home Again received a B CinemaScore and cost $15 million to make.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard (Lionsgate) dropped two spots to third place with $4.9 million. Directed by Patrick Hughes and starring Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, the action comedy has grossed $64.9 million after four weeks. The film was made for $30 million.
New Line’s Annabelle: Creation took in $4 million its fifth weekend for a total of $96.3 million. It cost just $15 million to make. Directed by David F. Sandberg, Annabelle: Creation stars Stephanie Sigman, Talitha Bateman, Lulu Wilson, Philippa Coulthard, Grace Fulton, Lou Lou Safran, Samara Lee, Tayler Buck, with Anthony LaPaglia, and Miranda Otto. The film cost just $15 million to make.
Wind River (The Weinstein Company), starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, rounded out the top five with $3.2 million. Written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, the film has grossed $25 million and was made for just $11 million.
Also of note is Spider-Man: Homecoming (Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures), which earned an impressive $70.8 million in China this weekend to push its overseas total to $495.3 million. With the $327.7 million grossed domestically, Spider-Man: Homecoming has passed the $800 million mark worldwide for a total of $823 million. The film is the most profitable of the franchise (it cost $175 million to make) and has passed Spider-Man (2002) to become the second-highest grossing Spidey film behind Spider-Man 3 ($890.9 million). Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Homecoming stars Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Tyne Daly, Bokeem Woodbine, with Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr.