11th September 2023, Mumbai: Despite receiving poor reviews, “The Nun II” managed to make a hauntingly successful debut at the North American box office, pulling in an estimated $32.6 million during its opening weekend. The film, distributed by Warner Bros. and directed by Michael Graves, defied critics and topped the box office charts.
“The Nun II”
In a world where horror films often have the uncanny ability to draw audiences despite unfavorable reviews, “The Nun II” was no exception. This sequel to the 2018 horror hit was released in 3,728 theaters and quickly made its presence known. Critics, such as AP’s Mark Kennedy, didn’t hold back in their negative assessments of the film, with Kennedy giving it a one-star review, remarking that it felt like a movie that would seal the fate of the franchise. However, audiences who flocked to theaters to witness the eerie tale bestowed the film with a C CinemaScore.
The Nun II Box Office Collection
“The Nun II” may not have reached the heights of its predecessor, which raked in $53.8 million during its opening, but it still had a respectable debut. The film is part of the popular Conjuring universe, which boasts an impressive lineup of nine films and has collectively earned a staggering $2.1 billion at the box office. Surprisingly, the sequel also saw success on an international scale, amassing $52.7 million from 69 markets. Mexico emerged as the film’s strongest international market, contributing a substantial $8.9 million to its earnings. With these international numbers, the movie’s global debut reached an impressive $85.3 million.
Competition from “Saw X” & “The Exorcist: Believer”
Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore, highlighted the power of a horror universe in generating revenue. He pointed out that Warner Bros.’ decision to invest in the horror genre appears to be a lucrative one, as horror films tend to draw dedicated audiences, regardless of critical reception. Looking ahead, the horror genre seems poised for a strong showing in the coming months. Films like “A Death in Venice,” set to open next week, “Saw X” on September 29, and “The Exorcist: Believer” on October 6 are all set to deliver more spine-chilling thrills to audiences.
In terms of other films in North America, “The Nun II” managed to push Denzel Washington’s “Equalizer 3” into second place during its second weekend in theaters. The film, released by Columbia Pictures, added $12.1 million to its domestic earnings, bringing its total to $61.9 million in North America and $107.7 million worldwide.
Other Competitors against The Nun II
Taking third place was another new release, the third installment of Nia Vardalos’s “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Arriving 21 years after the original film became a sleeper hit, this installment earned an estimated $10 million. It overwhelmingly attracted female audiences, with 71% of viewers being women and 83% of them being 25 or older. Vardalos wrote, directed, and starred in this latest Greek Wedding film, which reunites the beloved cast for a new adventure in Greece.
Jawan to be in Competition at Indian Box Office
In fourth place was the Indian revenge thriller “Jawan,” starring the Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Despite being shown in only 813 locations and released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, it managed to secure $6.2 million during its opening weekend. Shah Rukh Khan had already led another box office hit earlier this year with “Pathaan,” which earned $130 million worldwide. Last but not least, “Barbie” found itself in fifth place after enjoying eight weeks of success, earning $5.9 million from 3,281 locations. The Warner Bros. film has now amassed an impressive $620.5 million domestically, further establishing itself as a box office sensation.
“The Nun II’s” triumphant debut serves as a reminder that, in the world of horror, bad reviews are often overshadowed by the allure of the genre, drawing fans into theaters for a spooky and thrilling experience.
By Yashika Desai