“Venom: The Last Dance” is set to energize the October box office this weekend, projecting a domestic debut of $65 million and $100 million internationally, despite indications that the third installment may record the lowest opening for Sony’s popular antihero series.
The inaugural “Venom” film launched with $80.2 million in 2018, establishing a record for October releases. This record was surpassed the following year by “Joker,” which earned $96.2 million.
The sequel, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” premiered in October 2021 with $90 million in ticket sales, significantly boosting theater revenues during the post-pandemic recovery and marking a major success for Sony.
“Venom: The Last Dance” is expected to easily secure the title for the biggest October opening of 2024, especially after “Joker: Folie à Deux” premiered to a disappointing $37 million, following the sequel’s unsatisfactory “D” CinemaScore.
However, it is not unusual for third installments to experience a drop in ticket sales. Sony remains optimistic that devoted fans will consider this third film the best yet, leading to better-than-anticipated ticket sales. Reviews for “Venom 3” will be released on Wednesday, with the film reportedly budgeted at $120 million before marketing expenses.
On Wednesday, “Venom 3” debuted in several international markets, earning an impressive $9.3 million in China, marking the highest opening day for a comic book movie since “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” As a result, Sony has revised its international opening estimate from $85 million to $100 million.
Directed by Kelly Marcel, the film features Tom Hardy reprising his role as the titular character. Hardy co-wrote the screenplay with Marcel, who is making her directorial debut with this film.
In addition, this weekend sees the release of “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger, an acclaimed Oscar contender set within the Vatican during the election of a new pope. The film, produced by FilmNation and Indian Paintbrush, boasts a star-studded cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. Focus Features acquired the domestic distribution rights and will release the film in 1,742 theaters, projecting an opening of $4 million to $6 million for the less mainstream, but highly rated film, which currently holds a 95 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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