The latest weekend at the North American box office saw 'Venom: The Last Dance' maintaining its top position with an impressive $26.1 million in ticket sales. The Sony release starring Tom Hardy has been a crowd favorite, showcasing its staying power in the midst of a relatively quiet weekend for movie theaters leading up to the presidential election.
Other big studio holdovers like 'The Wild Robot' and 'Smile 2' also made their mark on the charts, while the reunion film 'Here' failed to resonate with audiences, opening to a disappointing $5 million despite its star-studded cast.
'Venom 3' experienced a modest 49% drop in its second weekend, a noteworthy achievement for a superhero film. The movie has already crossed the $90 million mark domestically and surpassed $300 million globally, solidifying its success.
Meanwhile, Universal and Illumination's 'The Wild Robot' continued to attract moviegoers even in its sixth week, securing the second spot with $7.6 million. The animated film has garnered over $121 million in North America and $269 million worldwide, impressing industry analysts.
Despite the underperformance of 'Here,' other films like 'Conclave' and two Indian debuts, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' and 'Singham Again,' managed to crack the top 10. 'Conclave' held its ground with $5.3 million, showcasing a mere 20% drop from its debut weekend.
Looking ahead, the box office is gearing up for a boost with holiday movie releases such as 'Gladiator II' and 'Wicked.' Industry experts anticipate a more competitive landscape in the coming weeks, with a diverse range of films vying for audience attention.
Notable mentions include the successful limited release of 'A Real Pain,' which garnered significant per-screen averages and is set for a nationwide expansion. Additionally, several high-profile films chose not to report full grosses, including 'Juror #2,' 'Blitz,' and 'Emilia Pérez,' reflecting the evolving distribution strategies in the industry.
Final domestic figures for the weekend will be released soon, providing a comprehensive overview of the box office performance. Despite challenges, the film industry remains resilient, with a promising lineup of releases set to captivate audiences in the upcoming holiday season.
