Ghostly ‘Beetlejuice’ again rules, topping North American box office

Published Mon, Sep 16, 2024 · 07:01 AM

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" saw a drop from last weekend’s sensational US$110 million opening, but the film easily outperformed Hollywood’s other offerings for the Friday-through-Sunday period. PHOTO: WARNER BROS PICTURES

COMEDY horror film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had a strong showing in its second weekend of release, taking in US$51.7 million and again helping shock new life into North American theatres, industry watchers said on Sunday (Sep 15).

The long-awaited Tim Burton follow-up to the popular 1988 original saw a drop from last weekend’s sensational US$110 million opening, but the film easily outperformed Hollywood’s other offerings for the Friday-through-Sunday period.

Michael Keaton, who’s 73 this year, again incarnates the creepily hilarious title character. He’s part of a cast that includes Beetlejuice veterans Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, plus newcomers Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe.

Far back in second place was Speak No Evil, a new psychological horror film from Blumhouse and Universal Pictures that took in US$11.5 million.

“This is a solid opening for a new horror film,” said analyst David Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, adding that reviews and audience scores are “excellent”.

James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis star in the remake of a Danish movie. An American family, invited to stay in a remote British farmhouse, soon learns their seemingly gracious hosts are actually serial killers.

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Third place went to superhero comedy Deadpool & Wolverine, at US$5.2 million. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman star in the Disney/Marvel film, which has taken in a huge US$621.5 million in North America over the last eight weeks.

In fourth was another new release, political mockumentary Am I Racist? from Daily Wire Studios and SDG Releasing, at US$4.8 million. Conservative commentator Matt Walsh goes undercover to attend anti-racism workshops and crash intellectual dinner parties in a provocative critique of political correctness.

And in fifth – down two spots but still performing well for a political biopic – was Reagan from ShowBiz Direct and MJM Entertainment, at US$2.8 million. Dennis Quaid portrays the 40th US president.