Scary Movie already made $7.7 million from early Thursday showings in theaters. Starting now, it will play in about 3,400 theaters in North America and is expected to gross around $40 million this weekend. This new film plans to make fun of modern horror trends, including reboots, remakes, sequels, spin-offs, “elevated horror,” origin stories, and all those so-called “final chapters” that never seem to be the last one. This is the first Scary Movie in over 20 years. Several familiar faces from past films are returning, including Regina Hall, Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dave Sheridan, Lochlyn Munro, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, and Jon Abrahams. Fans of the original movies will see many of the classic cast members reunited for this new sequel.
The cast also brings in new names like Damon Wayans Jr., Gregg Wayans, Kim Wayans, Benny Zielke, Cameron Scott Roberts, Heidi Gardner, Olivia Rose Keegan, Ruby Snowber, Savannah Lee Nassif, Sydney Park, Kenan Thompson, and Felissa Rose.
The movie is directed by Michael Tiddes, known for A Haunted House. The script was written by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, original Scary Movie director Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, and Rick Alvarez.
The other big new release is Masters of the Universe, which made about $4.4 million in previews and is expected to earn around $30 million for the weekend. It’s based on the 1980s toy and cartoon “He-Man.” The story follows Prince Adam as he returns to his home planet Eternia to fight the villain Skeletor. The movie stars Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, Idris Elba, Camila Mendes, and Alison Brie.
Another release, The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act, actually did very well in previews, earning about $7.8 million across 2,200 theaters, more than the other two new movies.
Meanwhile, horror films Backrooms and Obsession are still performing strongly after multiple weeks in theaters. Backrooms is already a major hit and broke records for A24, while Obsession is becoming a surprise success, made on a very small budget and now approaching $200 million worldwide.
