This weekend’s US box office saw Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice continue its reign at No. 1, drawing in crowds for a second consecutive week. Meanwhile, horror thriller Speak No Evil surprised with a strong debut, while the much-anticipated action film Killer’s Game flopped spectacularly, falling short of both critical and commercial expectations.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Dominates Once Again
The sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice continues to captivate audiences, with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice maintaining the top spot at the box office. The film, starring Michael Keaton reprising his role as the mischievous ghost, and Winona Ryder as the now-grown Lydia, brought in an additional $28 million in its second weekend, raising its domestic total to $85 million.
Fans and critics alike have praised the film for capturing the quirky, darkly comedic magic of the original while introducing new characters and storylines. The nostalgic appeal has drawn older audiences, while the visual effects and humor have attracted younger viewers, creating a multi-generational hit.
Speak No Evil Impresses with Strong Debut
Another highlight of the weekend was the unexpected success of Speak No Evil, a psychological horror film directed by Christian Tafdrup. Opening in third place, the film brought in $17 million, surpassing initial projections of $10 million. The film’s tense atmosphere, unsettling plot, and word-of-mouth buzz helped it gain momentum among horror fans.
Speak No Evil tells the story of a family who travels to the remote countryside to visit another couple, only to find themselves trapped in an increasingly sinister and uncomfortable situation. The film’s chilling tone and unpredictable twists have garnered praise from horror critics, with many citing it as one of the genre’s most disturbing entries of the year.
The film’s success further highlights the enduring appeal of horror in the post-pandemic box office, where smaller-budget horror films have consistently outperformed expectations.
Killer’s Game Bombs
Not all films fared well at the box office this weekend. The highly anticipated action thriller Killer’s Game, starring Dave Bautista and directed by J.J. Perry, bombed in its opening weekend, pulling in just $7 million — a disappointing figure considering its $70 million production budget.
Despite Bautista’s rising star power and a marketing campaign that leaned heavily into the film’s high-octane action sequences, Killer’s Game failed to resonate with audiences. Critics cited a predictable plot and lack of character development as major shortcomings, and the negative reviews seem to have contributed to its poor box office performance.
The film follows a hitman who discovers he has a terminal illness and sets out to take control of his fate, only to be double-crossed by those who hired him. While the premise had potential, the execution left much to be desired, leading to Killer’s Game becoming one of the biggest box office disappointments of the year.
Box Office Top 5
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice — $28 million ($85 million total)
- The Marvels — $19 million ($160 million total)
- Speak No Evil — $17 million (New)
- The Nun II — $12 million ($137 million total)
- Killer’s Game — $7 million (New)
Looking Ahead
As Beetlejuice Beetlejuice continues to dominate, attention turns to next weekend’s releases, including Ridley Scott’s historical epic Napoleon and Disney’s animated feature Wish. Both films are expected to draw large crowds, particularly with the holiday season approaching.
However, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice may continue to hold strong, as audiences remain enthralled by its spooky, comedic charm.
