Theater counts: Meg 2 and Mutant Mayhem can’t unseat Barbie as widest release

August 3, 2023

After two weeks at the domestic box office, the juggernaut that is Barbie is still piling up impressive numbers on a daily basis, earning the film just short of $400 million in North America alone, while taking in well over $400 million from international markets. Showing in 4,178 movie houses this week, the Greta Gerwig feature faces two newcomers, in the way of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and Meg 2: The Trench, as they hope to add to their respective franchise earnings.

As with Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, Paramount Pictures rolled out their latest film on Wednesday with the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The series reboot is the seventh theatrical installment of the franchise, which to date has diced up $1.16 billion in worldwide box office. Starting out in 3,513 theaters, the film collected $10.2 million on its opening day, and will add 345 venues on Friday, for a total of 3,858.

Also arriving in wide release this weekend is the second film in The Meg franchise with Meg 2: The Trench. Starting out in 3,503 cinemas, the sequel follows a group of scientists who must survive the wrath of the megalodons, after a mining operation threatens their mission. The latest film brings back action star Jason Statham in the lead role of Jonas Taylor and is directed by Ben Wheatley. The original film snagged just over $143 million in 12-weeks at the domestic box office, while scoring $381 million from overseas markets beginning in August of 2018.

Rounding out the top five this week is last week’s newcomer in Haunted Mansion, retaining its count of 3,740 theaters from its opening week. The fourth most widely available film is Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, checking in with 3,612 locations. The former tallied up $24 million during its opening weekend, and currently holds a six-day total of $31.36 million, while the latter has brought in over $194 million in 13-days in North American theaters.

There is an abundance of films opening in limited release this week, including the latest from Roadside Attractions in the biographical drama, Dreamin’ Wild. Available in 402 cinemas, the film follows the life of the Emerson brothers, Donnie and Joe, musicians who were discovered 30 years too late, thanks to the internet. Starting out in 14 locations is the psychological thriller, What Comes Around. The film about a young love affair that becomes a menacing game of cat and mouse stars Summer Phoenix and is directed by Amy Redford.

Looking ahead to next week we see the release of The Last Voyage of the Demeter. The horror film follows the crew of the Demeter, as they attempt to survive the ocean voyage from Transylvania to London, while being stalked by the merciless Dracula.

Theater Counts for August 4

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts