Claiming the runner-up spot at the ticket counters this weekend is “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training.” This latest cinematic installment of the immensely popular anime saga has achieved a notable debut with an expected opening weekend haul of $10.8 million, having amassed $5.5 million on Friday across 1,949 theaters.
The phenomenon of “Demon Slayer” was evident with the stunning box office returns of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train” back in 2020, which garnered a whopping $453 million globally and secured the position of the year’s number two highest-grossing release, amidst an industry hampered by the pandemic. The bulk of that revenue was generated in Japan, the anime’s country of origin, though it’s evident that “Demon Slayer” enjoys a significant fanbase within the United States as well, a fact underscored by the opening figures for “To the Hashira Training.”
Third place in this weekend’s box office race goes to “Ordinary Angels,” a drama that draws its narrative from real-life events, featuring performances by Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson. It’s a film rooted in faith—distinct in its preference for humanistic over spiritual themes, as Indiewire remarks—and films of this niche have steadily built a reliable audience in North America, with “Sound of Freedom” being the most significant recent success. The audience response has been overwhelmingly positive, with “Ordinary Angels” earning an impeccable A+ CinemaScore from moviegoers and an anticipated box office return of $6.5 million in its debut weekend.
However, “Drive-Away Dolls,” the latest addition to the genre of black comedy crime by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, is anticipating a less-than-stellar opening, with projections of a modest $2.5 million from an extensive 2,250 theater count. It’s likely to land in fifth place, trailing behind the underwhelming second-week performance of “Madame Web,” which Deadline anticipates will see a substantial 64% decline, rounding out to about $5.56 million for the weekend.
FAQs
Q: How much is “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training” expected to make on its opening weekend?
A: “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training” is expected to make $10.8 million on its opening weekend.
Q: How successful was “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train” at the box office?
A: “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train” made $453 million worldwide and was the second-highest grossing release of 2020.
Q: What is the movie “Ordinary Angels” about?
A: “Ordinary Angels” is a true story-inspired drama that places its faith in people rather than a higher power.
Q: How much is “Drive-Away Dolls” projected to make, and how many theaters is it showing in?
A: “Drive-Away Dolls” is on track to make $2.5 million in its opening weekend, showing in 2,250 theaters.
Conclusion
The box office landscape continues to showcase a wide array of cinematic offerings drawing audiences to theaters for diverse entertainment experiences. With “One Love” surpassing the impressive $100 million mark in a mere 10 days, it signifies not just a win for the film in question, but a healthy sign of audience engagement and the continuing allure of the movie-going experience. While some films soar to commercial success, others face the challenge of finding their audience, reminding us of the ever-volatile nature of the film industry. Nonetheless, each of these movies contributes to the rich tapestry of film culture, offering stories and experiences that resonate with viewers across the spectrum.