As Halloween drew near this weekend, so did a franchise whose annual return to theaters has become an almost ridiculous tradition. Returning for a fourth Halloween helping the Saw series invaded and dominated theaters with the largest opening weekend in over two months.
Saw IV hauled in a shameless $31 million on its debut weekend. While the movie followed the trend of Saw films by generally being more poorly reviewed than its predecessors, it failed to continue the financial climb. Up to this point each movie had opened to a larger first weekend audience, peaking with last year's Saw 3 which raked in $33 million. Does this spell a down turn for the rapid-fire release franchise?
There's a good chance that in the long haul the movie will go on to make more money that it's precursors world-wide, but the possibility of a box office slow down comes on the heels rumors that the next installment, Saw V, is going to be delayed a year, rolling out in October, 2009. I'm not sure why Lionsgate would do that. If the purpose is to try and make a better movie, why bother? Obviously people aren't going to see these films for their quality. Roll out more crap next Halloween! If you make it, they will come...and pay good money to do it.
The number two movie, Dan In Real Life trailed way behind with only $12 million. It might have fared better if those ninnies at Buena Vista hadn't decided to put it up against Saw IV. But any other weekend might not have been much better, what with every other weekend seeing a ridiculous number of new release to compete against. Like next weekend, for example.
Gritty drama American Gangster starring Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe will open against Jerry Seinfeld's "I don't know what to do with myself so I think I'll do a silly animated project" effort, Bee Movie. Those two will likely trounce the third new entry, John Cusack headed Martian Child. While Jerry Seinfeld may be television's golden child, expect him to take silver to American Ganster next weekend.
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE TOP TEN October 26 - 28, 2007
LW = Last Week WR = Weeks Released THTRS = Number of Screens * Denotes new release. Click on title to read CB Review
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