Hold onto your hats, movie buffs, because the box office is serving up some serious surprises this weekend! CrunchyRoll's Chainsaw Man: The Movie is roaring to the top, proving that anime fans are a powerful force at the cinema. It's projected to haul in at least \$15 million, exceeding initial predictions of \$10 million. This is a welcome win for theaters, which have been struggling this fall.
But here's where it gets controversial... The highly anticipated Bruce Springsteen biopic, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, is unexpectedly stumbling. Despite expectations of a top spot, it's struggling to reach \$10 million, landing in a distant fourth place, according to Deadline. What went wrong? Perhaps director Scott Cooper's focus on a specific period in Springsteen's life – the creation of the Nebraska album – alienated a broader audience. The B+ CinemaScore suggests a lukewarm reception, with many likely waiting for its eventual release on Hulu.
Another unexpected disappointment is the Colleen Hoover adaptation, Regretting You, which is set to finish with around \$13 million. Poor reviews and word-of-mouth (a B CinemaScore rating is not ideal for a romance) are dragging it down.
Meanwhile, last week's champion, The Black Phone 2, is holding its own with an estimated \$12 million this weekend, a solid showing for a horror film with a roughly 56% drop from its opening. However, Shelby Oaks, is predicted to earn about \$2.3 million for the weekend, and is also suffering from negative reviews.
It's fascinating to see how audience tastes and expectations can shift!
What are your thoughts on these box office outcomes? Do you agree with the reviews, or do you have a different perspective? Share your opinions in the comments below – I'm eager to hear what you think!
