Over the weekend, an intriguing clash of cinematic titans unfolded at the box office as Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" went head-to-head with Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon." While Swift's concert film continued its impressive run, Scorsese's historical crime drama made a robust debut, making for an exciting and diverse weekend in cinema.Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" has been a revelation at the box office. After an outstanding opening weekend that saw it gross an impressive $92.8 million, the concert film continued to draw audiences, collecting an estimated $31 million over the weekend from 3,855 locations, distributed by AMC Theaters. Notably, this movie event was available exclusively on Thursdays through Sundays, thanks to an unconventional deal.
The film's performance reflected the overwhelming enthusiasm of Swift's fan base during its opening weekend, with a significant portion of sales driven by advance ticketing. While sales dropped by 67% in its second weekend, it's clear that "The Eras Tour" had captured the imagination of audiences, becoming the highest-grossing concert film ever in North America, even when adjusting for inflation. Its total domestic earnings now stand at an impressive $129.8 million.
Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" was a significant entry in Apple Studios' ambitious theatrical endeavors. This historical crime drama, chronicling a series of murders against the Osage Nation in the early 1920s, boasted a hefty production budget of at least $200 million. The film, released in collaboration with Paramount Pictures, made its debut in 3,628 theaters, with plans for a later release on Apple TV.
"Killers of the Flower Moon" had an encouraging start, earning $23 million at the box office, marking the third-best opening for the veteran director Scorsese, trailing only "Shutter Island" in 2010 and "The Departed" in 2006. Despite its sizable budget, the film's strong debut suggests that it has the potential to be a long-term success. The movie has garnered rave reviews, boasts an "A-" CinemaScore from audiences, and is supported by a robust Oscar campaign. It also earned an additional $21 million overseas.
This debut is notable as it marks the best wide-release opening for a film from a streaming company. While streaming platforms like Netflix have often favored a limited theatrical release, Apple and Amazon have embraced a more expansive strategy. Apple, in particular, has expressed its commitment to producing movies with theatrical releases before making them available on its streaming service.
Paramount was initially attached to "Killers of the Flower Moon" but transitioned the project to Apple as production costs increased during the pandemic. The film's successful launch reflects the evolving landscape of the theatrical movie business, highlighting the significance of flexibility in distribution strategies.
Despite their differences in genre and style, both "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" and "Killers of the Flower Moon" share one striking similarity: their lengthy run times. A double feature of these two films would have taken over six hours, underscoring the variety of cinematic experiences available to audiences.
In addition to these two standouts, other films made their presence felt at the box office over the weekend. "Exorcist: The Believer," a horror sequel directed by David Gordon Green, secured the third spot with $5.6 million in its third weekend of release. "Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie" claimed the fourth position with $4.5 million in its fourth weekend, while the rerelease of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" rounded out the top five, amassing $4.1 million three decades after its initial release.
The weekend's estimated ticket sales for U.S. and Canadian theaters offer a fascinating snapshot of the cinematic landscape, with a diverse array of films vying for audience attention. The final domestic figures will be released shortly, providing a comprehensive picture of this exciting weekend at the movies.
