Credit: Andrew Eccles/Universal Pictures(NEW YORK) — Halloween topped the box office, delivering an estimated $77.5 million in its opening weekend, slashing a franchise record. The direct sequel to John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, beat the franchise record opening of $26 million, previously held by the 2007 Rob Zombie reboot.
The film, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her role as Laurie Strode — also recorded the second best October opening ever — behind Venom, with $80 million — and could surpass it when the final numbers are in. Halloween also posted the second largest opening for an R-rated horror film trailing last year’s It, which opened with $123.4 million. Internationally, Halloween nabbed $14.4 million.
A Star Is Born held on to second place for the third straight week since its release, pulling in an estimated $22.8 million. It earned and additional $22.8 million overseas, pushing it past the $200 million mark worldwide.
Venom, in its third week of release, fell to third place after topping the box office for the past two weeks. The sci-fi action thriller earned an estimated $18.1 million. The film continued its domination overseas though, grabbing an estimated $32.3 million.
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween took fourth place with an estimated $9.7 million, followed by First Man, rounding out the top five with an estimated $8.565 million.
Mid90s, written by Jonah Hill and marking his directorial debut, delivered an estimated $249,500 from just four locations, for a hefty $62,375 per-theater average. It expands nationwide next weekend.
Can You Ever Forgive Me, starring Melissa McCarthy in her first dramatic role, posted an impressive debut, earning $150,000 from five theaters.
Here are the top 10 movies from Friday through Sunday, with estimated domestic box office earnings:
1. Halloween, $77.5 million
2. A Star Is Born, $19.3 million
3. Venom, $18.1 million
4. Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, $9.7 million
5. First Man, $8.565 million
6. The Hate U Give, $7.5 million
7. Smallfoot, $6.6 million
8. Night School, $5 million
9. Bad Times at the El Royale, $3.3 million
10. The Old Man and the Gun, $2.05 million
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