At $28 million U.S. opening, the $150 million PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING didn't make an impressive U.S. debut, but it made more than the original PACIFIC RIM in the world market, surpassing its budget on the box office. Oddly enough, what the sequel had that the first didn't was no Guillermo del Toro (MIMIC, BLADE II, THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE, HELLBOY, PAN'S LABYRINTH, HELLBOY II) writing or directing. Also, John Boyega (ATTACK THE BLOCK) both acted in the lead and produced this one.

BLACK PANTHER
In its 6th week and with a 460 screen cut, BLACK PANTHER slides to #2. When the final count is done, BLACK PANTHER may be the only movie to ever break the billion dollar box office at an unbroken #1.

BLACK PANTHER Stars Chadwick Boseman (CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR), Michael B. Jordan (FANTASTIC FOUR), Martin Freeman (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ, THE HOBBIT [2012 - all]), Angela Bassett (INNOCENT BLOOD, SUPERNOVA), Forest Whitaker (BODY SNATCHERS, SPECIES, BATTLEFIELD EARTH, PANIC ROOM, PHONE BOOTH, REPO MEN), and Andy Serkis (Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], KING KONG [2005], THE PRESTIGE, RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES [2011 - all], THE HOBBIT [2012 - all]).

YOU BURIED IT

TOMB RAIDER (2018)
Dropping from #2 to #5 in its 2nd weekend. TOMB RAIDER is getting punished in the U.S. market and at just under $44 million, is unlikely to break-even on its budget at the box office, let alone double it to profit. Normally this may be a worry but this TOMB RAIDER is a foreign film and a box office smash in that market. Against a budget of $94 mil. TOMB RAIDER brings in over $213 million worldwide in its first week of release. So yeah, sequels are a given.

Stars Alicia Vikander (EX MACHINA). Dominic West (THE FORGOTTEN, 300, CENTURION, JOHN CARTER), Daniel Wu (2000 AD, EUROPA REPORT, GEOSTORM), Derek Jacobi (UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION). Directed by Roar Uthaug (COLD PREY, THE WAVE).

RED SPARROW
In its 4th weekend, RED SPARROW drops from #9 to #13 this week. Not grabbing the U.S. or foreign box office, it may just squeek into profit before the end of its run. Stars Jennifer Lawrence (HUNGER GAMES [all]).

THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT
In only its 3rd weekend, THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT continues its freefall, dropping right off the top 10 from #8 to #14. No foreign box office at the moment. Stars Christina Hendricks (LOST RIVER, THE NEON DEMON) and Damian Maffei (I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE DOOMSDAY).

DIG IT UP
UNSANE enters the U.S. Box office at #11. This is Steven Soderbergh's first Horror Thriller movie. Over the last 10 years, Soderbergh's movies and TV shows, while remaining critical darlings for the most part, have largely been getting killed in the market, ever since his back to back Che disasters of 2008. Steven could really use a hit and when mainstream directors get desperate, they go Horror.

Written by the team of Jonathan Bernstein & James Greer (Max Keeble's Big Move, Larry The Cable Guy: Health Inspector) and Produced by Joseph Malloch (Paint It Black), who are also making their first attempt at Horror Thriller, UNSANE stars Claire Foy (SEASON OF THE WITCH, VAMPIRE ACADEMY),
Joshua Leonard (THE BLAIR WTICH PROJECT, MADHOUSE, HATCHET, PROM NIGHT (2008), BITTER FEAST, SHARK NIGHT 3D, THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN [2014], BATES MOTEL [TV]), and
Amy Irving (CARRIE, THE FURY, THE RAGE: CARRIE 2, HIDE AND SEEK).

Good luck Steve!

References:
BoxOfficeMojo -
IMDb -
IMPAwards -

Movies like this clearly show how important theaters remain to the motion picture industry.

So far Marvel Studios is the only motion picture company to repeatedly, successfully, present black superhero led movies to the world.

In its 5th weekend, BLACK PANTHER breaks $1billion $100 million!

Suits at Disney must be doing backflips and wracking their brains trying to figure out a BLACK PANTHER theme park ride.

BLACK PANTHER Stars Chadwick Boseman (CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR), Michael B. Jordan (FANTASTIC FOUR), Martin Freeman (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ, THE HOBBIT [2012 - all], CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR), Angela Bassett (INNOCENT BLOOD, SUPERNOVA), Forest Whitaker (BODY SNATCHERS, SPECIES, BATTLEFIELD EARTH, PANIC ROOM, PHONE BOOTH, REPO MEN), and Andy Serkis (Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], KING KONG [2005], THE PRESTIGE, RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES [2011 - all], THE HOBBIT [2012 - all], AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON).

TOMB RAIDER
Opened at #2 this weekend. You didn't give it a huge weekend, but then again, Warner Bros. never tried with this movie. That said, TOMB RAIDER saw plenty of opening screens and, released world-wide, performed nearly 5 times better foriegn than it did in the U.S.

Odd because neither the movie franchise it belongs to or the original video game is particuarly hot, leaving many to wonder why Warner Bros. bothered at all. Is this really all they have for women heroines after WW? Stars Alicia Vikander (EX MACHINA). Dominic West (THE FORGOTTEN, 300, HANNIBAL RISING, PUNISHER: WAR ZONE, CENTURION, THE AWAKENING, JOHN CARTER), Daniel Wu (2000 AD, EUROPA REPORT, GEOSTORM), Derek Jacobi (THE DAY OF THE JACKAL [1973], THE ODESSA FILE, THE MEDUSA TOUCH, THE SECRET OF NIMH, ENIGMA, DEAD AGAIN, THE WYVERN MYSTERY, UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION). Directed by Roar Uthaug (COLD PREY, THE WAVE).

YOU BURIED IT

THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT
This sequel to 2008's THE STRANGERS (which went on to become a Horror classic among audiences), drops in freefall in its second week from #3 to #8 with a 53% drop in ticket sales. Maybe the producers should have brought THE STRANGERS creator, Brian Bertino in on this one. original creator Bryan Bertino. Stars Christina Hendricks (LOST RIVER, THE NEON DEMON) and Damian Maffei (NIKOS THE IMPALER, GHOST LAKE, CLOSED FOR THE SEASON, CHRISTMAS WITH THE DEAD, I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE DOOMSDAY).

RED SPARROW
Also in free fall, RED SPARROW drops from #4 to #9 this week. With a change of -49% this Thriller may still have legs. Stars Jennifer Lawrence (HUNGER GAMES [all], X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, PASSENGERS, MOTHER!).

ANNIHILATION
In only its 4th weekend, ANNIHILATION leaves the top ten moving from #8 to #11. Based on the novel by Jeff Vandermeer, ANNIHILATION and written and directed for the screen by Alex Garland (28 DAYS LATER) this fantasy Horror Thriller never found its audience. Stars Natalie Portman (MARS ATTACKS!, V FOR VENDETTA, BLACK SWAN), Jennifer Jason Leigh (THE HITCHER, eXistenZ), and Oscar Isaac (SUCKER PUNCH, TICKY TACKY).

References:
BoxOfficeMojo -
IMDb -
IMPAwards -

However, it stars Dee Wallace (THE HOWLING, CRITTERS, THE FRIGHTENERS, ABOMINABLE, THE LOST, VOODOO MOON, THE PLAGUE, Rob Zombie's HALLOWEEN, THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL) and that's always a plus.

Movies like this clearly show how important theaters remain to the motion picture industry.

So far Marvel Studios is the only motion picture company to repeatedly, successfully, present black superhero led movies to the world.

In its 4th weekend, BLACK PANTHER crosses the billion dollar box office mark, assuring the audience that there will definitely be more. Stars Chadwick Boseman (CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, MESSAGE FROM THE KING), Michael B. Jordan (CHRONICLE, FANTASTIC FOUR), Martin Freeman (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ, THE HOBBIT [2012 - all], THE WORLD'S END, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, SHERLOCK [2010 TV], GHOST STORIES, CARGO), Angela Bassett (F/X, CRITTERS 4, INNOCENT BLOOD, STRANGE DAYS, VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN, SUPERNOVA, AMERICAN HORROR STORY [TV]), Forest Whitaker (BODY SNATCHERS, SPECIES, BATTLEFIELD EARTH, PANIC ROOM, PHONE BOOTH, THE MARSH, REPO MEN, THE EXPERIMENT [2010], REPENTANCE, ARRIVAL, THE FORGIVEN [2017]) and Andy Serkis (THE NEAR ROOM, FIVE SECONDS TO SPARE, Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS [all], DEATHWATCH, KING KONG [2005], THE PRESTIGE, THE COTTAGE, BURKE AND HARE, RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES [2011 - all], THE HOBBIT [2012 - all], AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON).

THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT
This sequel to 2008's THE STRANGERS (which went on to become a Horror classic among audiences), opens wide against powerful competition at a respectable #3 with a $10 mill. BO. Not bad for newbie mini studio, Aviron. This sequel has nothing to do with original creator Bryan Bertino. He's not even given Executive Producer credit. Stars Christina Hendricks (LOST RIVER, THE NEON DEMON) and Damian Maffei (NIKOS THE IMPALER, GHOST LAKE, CLOSED FOR THE SEASON, CHRISTMAS WITH THE DEAD, I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE DOOMSDAY).

RED SPARROW
Against such stiff competition, Mystery Thriller, RED SPARROW moves from #2 to #4 this week. With a change of -49% this Thriller may still have legs. Stars Jennifer Lawrence (HUNGER GAMES [all], X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, PASSENGERS, MOTHER!).

YOU BURIED IT

ANNIHILATION
This Horror Thriller written and directed by Alex Garland (28 DAYS LATER, DREDD, EX MACHINA) is not finding its audience. Based on the novel by Jeff Vandermeer, ANNIHILATION moves to #8 from last week's #6 in its third weekend with a box office of $26 mil. against a $40 million budget. Stars Natalie Portman (MARS ATTACKS!,V FOR VENDETTA, BLACK SWAN),
Jennifer Jason Leigh (THE HITCHER, eXistenZ),
Oscar Isaac (SUCKER PUNCH, TICKY TACKY).

References:
BoxOfficeMojo -
IMDb -
IMPAwards -

Like any studio they have their highs and lows, although a low Pixar movie - barring their forgettable CARS sequels - soars over the heads of their competition.

The Mexican side of my family is more than pleasently surprised at the respect that lovingly created this movie. Every one of them who have seen it, so far, have been moved to tears.

COCO jests and jokes and satirizes Dia de los Muertos without mockery or cruelty.

It's as if family is enjoying the humor found in its memories.

When it comes to introducing children to Horror Thriller movies, COCO is a great start.

Click the link. Let me tell you why.

/Movie/Coco.

You'll notice, however, that Sony is trotting out its venerable 1984 GHOSTBUSTERS and not the marketing manufactured scandal dud that was 2016 GHOSTBUSTERS.

After a particularly brutal home video opening that guaranteed the movie absolutely did not appeal to "little girls who wanted their own hero", 2016 GHOSTBUSTERS has become GHOSTBUSTERS: ANSWER THE CALL.

Whatevs.

Despite spending decades trying to destroy their cash cow, Sony/Columbia Pictures is finally getting back to treasuring one of the most profitable jewels in their crown. The 1984 original.

Too bad Harold Ramis isn't around to see that.

Exclusive story at Variety.
Ghostbusters Live in Concert Series Set for Fall