'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' Spooks Out 'Transformers One' at the Box Office

Movie

In a surprising upset, the 'Beetlejuice' sequel has defeated the mighty 'Transformers One' to claim the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office for the third consecutive weekend.

Sep 23, 2024

AceShowbiz - In an unexpected twist, the afterlife comedy "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" has outmaneuvered the towering "Transformers One" at the box office, earning an estimated $26 million in its third weekend. The long-awaited sequel, which reunites original cast members Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara and Michael Keaton, has now grossed $226 million domestically and $329 million worldwide.

"Transformers One", the animated prequel to the blockbuster franchise, debuted with a respectable $25 million, slightly below expectations. It features an all-star voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Scarlett Johansson, and tells the origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron. However, it faced competition from "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" and a lack of significant overperformance in key demographics.

Despite its impressive cast, "Transformers One" performance appears to have been affected by its intended target audience of younger boys, rather than the broader fan base of the "Transformers" brand. Additionally, its co-financing arrangement and strong merchandise potential may have tempered Paramount Animation's expectations for a higher box office opening.

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Meanwhile, Lionsgate's Halle Berry-led thriller "Never Let Go" stumbled with a disappointing $4.5 million debut. The survival drama is the latest in a string of low-grossing releases for Lionsgate, raising questions about the post-pandemic box office landscape for mid-budgeted films.

Mubi's body horror satire "The Substance", starring Demi Moore, also opened weakly with $3.1 million. Despite positive critical reception, its polarizing nature may have limited its appeal with audiences.

Overall, the domestic box office remains challenged, with revenues trailing both 2023 and 2019 levels. However, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" has emerged as a bright spot, providing a much-needed boost to an otherwise sluggish September movie slate. Industry analysts are hopeful that October will bring stronger releases to revitalize the market.

Top 10 of North American Box Office (Sept. 20-22, 2024):