Universal’s horror film “Other Mommy” took the top spot at the North American box office with an estimated $27.5 million opening, beating expectations despite dismal reviews. Sony’s “The Social Reckoning,” Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up to “The Social Network,” opened well below forecasts, according to Variety, Deadline and AP.
“Other Mommy” wins with a bad CinemaScore
The Jessica Chastain film, directed by Rob Savage, played in 3,365 theaters. It is about a sinister supernatural creature that terrorizes a young girl who thinks it is her mother. Reviews were poor, with Box Office Pro citing an 18% Rotten Tomatoes score, and audiences gave it a rare D+ CinemaScore. Box Office Pro credits the trailers for drawing viewers beyond horror fans.
“The Social Reckoning” stumbles
“The Social Reckoning” earned an estimated $5.5 million from 2,606 theaters and landed in fifth place. Variety reports it was projected to open to $7 million to $8 million. The 2010 film “The Social Network” opened to $22.4 million. The new film stars Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong and follows a Facebook whistleblower. It earned a B- CinemaScore and has mixed reviews. It added $3.5 million overseas for a $9 million worldwide start, Variety says.
Holdovers fill out the chart
Amazon MGM’s “Verity,” with Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, took second place with about $11.4 million, a 64% drop from its opening weekend. Variety says it has grossed $53 million in North America and $113 million worldwide. Sony’s “Resident Evil” reboot and Paramount’s Brad Pitt film “Heart of the Beast” also stayed in the top five.
Sources: Variety, Deadline, AP, ABC News, USA Today, Box Office Pro. Figures are studio estimates from Sunday. Featured image is an editorial illustration.
