Scary Movie 6 signs the best start of the entire franchise at the US box office

On the other hand, Masters of the Universe is struggling, while the two indie horror phenomena of the moment are holding up well.

The return of the Wayans brothers is a triumph.

Twenty-five years after launching the saga, they take back control of Scary Movie 6and the parody comedy has the best start in the history of the franchise in the United States.

The film launched to $56 million in its first American weekend. It thus erases the old record held by Scary Movie 4which opened to $49.7 million in 2006. An excellent performance for the horror force with a contained budget of 30 million. Globally, the film has already grossed $105.5 million in 53 markets.

In second place we find Masters of the Universe. Travis Knight’s blockbuster, which will not be released in cinemas in France and will be offered directly on Prime Video (on a date still unknown), collected just under $30 million over the weekend. A rather timid start considering its budget estimated at 200 million (not counting the marketing budget). It will need solid sustainment capacity to justify its price, knowing that cinema operators receive around 50% of box office revenue.

But in a statement, Kevin Wilson, director of US distribution for Amazon MGM, insists that their criteria for success are different from those of their competitors: “Director Travis Knight, along with the entire film crew and cast, have produced a truly exceptional body of work, and this initial success is precisely the kind of pivotal moment that validates our overall distribution strategy: generating audience interest and engagement well beyond theatrical release.” Understandably, box office success is only one variable in their notion of success.

Behind these two new releases, the horrific phenomena of the moment continue to impress.

In third place, Backrooms shows a drop of 70% for its second weekend. A significant drop in appearance, but one that still translates to an impressive additional $25.9 million from 3,565 theaters. Thanks to its colossal start last week, the film has now earned $135 million in North America and $212.6 million worldwide. A score which allows it to become the biggest global success in the history of A24, ahead of Marty Supreme and its 191 million dollars.

In fourth position, Obsession continues to achieve a completely extraordinary journey. The horror thriller dedicated to the dangers of love obsession fell only 7% for its fourth weekend and added another $25.6 million to its prize pool. The phenomenon is all the more impressive as the film had already seen its attendance increase during its second and third weekends, an extremely rare performance. Produced for a pittance, Obsession has now grossed $152.1 million in North America and is expected to cross the $200 million mark worldwide this weekend. A true miracle for Focus Features.

And Star Wars in all this? The Mandalorian and Grogu already falling to 6th position. For its third week across the Atlantic, the film had to make do with 10 million dollars and totaled 155 million in North America. Baby Yoda has not yet passed the $300 million mark worldwide.