‘Spoiler Alert’ Sees Strong Word Of Mouth; ‘Tár‘, ’EO’ Bask In Awards Limelight, ‘Banshees’ Passes $8M – Specialty Box Office
deadline.comFocus Features’ Spoiler Alert opened on six screens (in NY, LA, San Francisco) to an estimated $85k, or $14k per theater, in a crowded arthouse market.
Strong exit polls and word of mouth – 94% in the top two boxes – could help built out this movie, which will likely be more audience-focused than awards-buzz driven. “We are encouraged to see Spoiler Alert playing great and connecting with audiences,” said Focus distribution chief Lisa Bunnell. “We expect the film to broaden its audience and reach as we begin our national expansion.” The Michael Showalter pic based on Michael Ausiello’s memoir ‘Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies’ and staring Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge and Sally Field expands Dec.
9. Notable openings this fall led by The Banshees of Inisherin ($46+k), Tár and The Fabelmans have been MIA for few weeks. It’s about the movies — iconic writer of stage and screen Martin McDonagh with Colin Farrell; Todd Field’s unique Cate Blanchett-starrer with an eclectic audience including strong LGBTQ support; and the appeal of Steven Spielberg and his autobiographical film. (Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale with Brendan Fraser next weekend could also see a strong opening bump next weekend, before Avatar: The Way Of Water swallows the box office.) It’s also about the marketplace, which gets more crowded by the week.
Specialty film is still challenged. Rising concern about Covid isn’t helpful in accelerating the return of older demos to theaters. “Arthouse films are coming back.
Read more on deadline.com