“The Exorcist: Believer” emerged victorious at the North American box office, garnering $27.2 million during its opening weekend for Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions. While it faced minimal competition from new releases, the film’s earnings, although commendable, failed to completely astonish industry experts.
Box Office Rundown
The recent addition to the long-standing demonic series managed to outperform other films over the weekend. In comparison, the next three films’ collective earnings fell short of the new Exorcist’s intake. Nevertheless, despite the film’s promising start, industry eyebrows raised slightly as the earnings for “The Exorcist: Believer” were somewhat muted given that Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions shelled out $400 million in 2021 for rights to a fresh trilogy.
“Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” last week’s frontrunner, followed with $11.8 million, taking its two-week total to $38.9 million for Paramount Pictures. Another sequel, the horror film “Saw X,” secured the third spot with an earning of $8.2 million, bringing its two-week total to $32.6 million.
The Evergreen Lure of Horror
The allure of horror films appears to remain timeless, with four out of the top 10 box office films belonging to this genre. As the Halloween season looms closer, horror films may continue to experience an uptick in numbers. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst, aptly noted that the desire for horror films seems insatiable and is perfect for group theater viewings.
Legacy and Reception
Directed by David Gordon Green, known for his expertise with sequels, “The Exorcist: Believer” hit theaters nearly half a century after the original horror sensation’s release. Starring Leslie Odom Jr. and featuring Lidya Jewett as his daughter, the film’s timing coincides with the recent passing of the original “The Exorcist” director, William Friedkin. Although critics had mixed reactions, with a mere 23% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s performances and direction garnered some appreciation.
Upcoming Competition
The film’s initial release date was shifted forward by a week to avoid clashing with the highly anticipated concert film, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which is predicted to have a monumental opening.