Kicking off Halloween early, Sony's family entry Goosebumps is succeeding in scaring off the competition at the North American box office, winning Friday with an estimated $7.4 million from 3,501 theaters for a projected $25 million debut.
That should be enough to topple Ridley Scott's blockbuster The Martian and claim the weekend crown. The Martian took in $6.3 million Friday from 3,701 locations for estimated weekend earnings of $22 million and a stellar domestic total of $144 million through Sunday.
Goosebumps, based on the bestselling children's book series, stars Jack Black as the famous writer whose literary characters — a collection of ghouls and ghosts — escape from his books and wreak havoc on the world. The 3D horror-comedy, directed by Rob Letterman and adapted by Scott Alexander, also stars Dylan Minnette and Odeya Rush.
The film, rated PG and grabbing an A CinemaScore, cost $58 million to produce. Heading into the weekend, the major tracking services predicted that Goosebumps would open to $20 million-$24 million.
To say the marquee is crowded this weekend is an understatement. Guillermo del Toro's R-rated gothic romance Crimson Peak and Steven Spielberg's Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks, also open this weekend, while the specialty box office sees a flurry of new entries, including Truth and the expansion of Steve Jobs.
In a surprise twist, Bridge of Spies will beat Crimson Peak and come in No. 3 with a projected $16 million weekend after earning on estimated $5.3 million on Friday from 2,811 theaters. The DreamWorks and Participant Media title cost $40 million to make, and is hoping for a long run throughout awards season after scoring stellar reviews and an A CinemaScore.
Bridge of Spies, inspired by true events, follows Brooklyn insurance lawyer James B. Donovan (Hanks), who was plucked from his ordinary existence to represent Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. That led to being tasked with helping negotiate the release of Francis Gary Powers, whose U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960.
Del Toro's Crimson Peak is looking like another disappointment for Legendary Pictures after falling off quickly Friday. Early in the day, it appeared headed for a $17 million-$19 million weekend, but now is projected to come in around $13 million-$14 million from 2,984 theaters after taking in $5.2 million Friday and getting slapped with a B- CinemaScore. If so, it will mark del Toro's lowest studio opening.
The R-rated film stars Mia Wasikowska as a young author and newlywed who soon discovers that her charming husband's crumbling mansion is filled with menacing, other-worldly entities that her groom (Tom Hiddleston) and his sister (Jessica Chastain) try to hide. Charlie Hunnam also stars.
Crimson Peak was produced and financed for $55 million by Legendary and is being released by Universal.
At the specialty box office, Steve Jobs is projected to gross $1.7 million as it expands into a total of 60 theaters for a location average of $28,700. This weekend will pose a key test for Danny Boyle's film in terms of how much the subject matter appeals outside of New York and Los Angeles, where Steve Jobs scored one of the highest opening location averages of all time last weekend. Jobs expands nationwide Oct. 23.
As awards season heats up, new limited offerings include Lenny Abrahamson's Room, which is eyeing a solid location average of roughly $33,000 as it opens in four theaters in Los Angeles and New York. Adapted by Emma Donoghue from her book of the same name, the A24 title stars Brie Larson as a young mother trapped in a windowless room with her young son (Jacob Tremblay).
One high-profile title that's off to a poor start is Truth, starring Robert Redford as ousted CBS Evening New anchor Dan Rather and Cate Blanchett as disgraced 60 Minutes producer Mary Mapes. The Sony Pictures Classics release, going out in six theaters in New York and Los Angeles, is looking at a weekend location average in the $10,000 range.
Beasts of No Nation, the first original movie from Netlfix, is likewise faring poorly in its limited day and date theatrical debut. The African war drama, starring Idris Elba and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, stands to earn roughly $52,000 from 27 theaters for a location average of $1,677. The movie was always going to be a tough sell since it is simultaneously available on the streaming service.
Bridge of Spies, Room, Beasts of No Nation and Steve Jobs are all critical darlings, while Truth has earned mix reviews.
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