Box Office: ‘Sinners’ Stokes $19.2 Million Opening Day, ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Still Looks to Block Off No. 1 in Third Weekend

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This weekend at the box office, Warner Bros. is leading with two of its films taking the top spots on the domestic charts. The vampire thriller “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, isn’t quite managing to unseat the blockbuster hit “A Minecraft Movie” for the number one spot. However, “Sinners” had a strong start with a gross of $19.2 million over Friday and previews, screening at 3,308 venues. This suggests it will likely surpass Warner Bros.’ projected three-day opening earnings of $40 million. Notably, “Minecraft” is playing at 4,302 locations.

As a supporter, I’m excited to share that “Sinners” is set to benefit from the high-end ticket prices for IMAX, especially during its 70mm showtimes. Warner Bros.’ promotional strategy has placed great emphasis on the premium format and the use of IMAX cameras during filming – a technical touch that’s become synonymous with Christopher Nolan’s films in recent times. With “Oppenheimer” demonstrating strong audience demand, waiting to catch the movie in IMAX, “Sinners” could also experience a positive aftermath if Warner manages to generate excitement for the format among viewers. For two weeks, “Sinners” will occupy IMAX theaters before making way for Disney’s Marvel blockbuster, “Thunderbolts.

Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners,’ one of the pricier productions this year, comes with a hefty $90 million price tag – an expensive sum for an original, R-rated film. Warner Bros. secured the rights to distribute it partially by granting Coogler ownership of the movie’s rights after 25 years. This is a significant compromise from studios, comparable only to Quentin Tarantino’s deal with Sony on ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ ”

Or more informally:

“Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ is one of the costlier films this year. It costs $90 million to make, which is expensive for an original R-rated movie. Warner Bros. got the rights because they agreed to give Coogler ownership of the film after 25 years – a rare move by studios, much like what Quentin Tarantino got with Sony’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’

The investment is indeed considerable, but “Sinners” seems to be ticking off all the essential boxes for a promising future. Directors Coogler and Jordan, known for infusing personality into IP projects such as “Creed,” a spinoff of Rocky, and Marvel’s Black Panther, have once again delivered an impressive product. It has garnered some of the best reviews this year and positive audience reactions to match. Cinema Score, a moviegoer survey firm, even awarded it an ‘A’ grade – a remarkable feat for a horror film, as they typically score lower. These are all positive indicators for “Sinners'” long-term success; it simply needs to deliver its performance now.

In the blues-filled Mississippi Delta of the 1930s, “Sinners” is a movie where Jordan plays twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who return to the south and must fight off a group of vampires. The cast also features Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, and Delroy Lindo.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie” continues its impressive run, adding another $16 million to its box office earnings on Friday. This is an exceptional hold, with a drop of only 22% from its weekly high. With two weeks under its belt, this Legendary Entertainment production has stormed into the top 100 all-time domestic grossers and is poised to break the $350 million mark by Sunday. The question on everyone’s lips now is: How much higher can it soar?

Ranking third, Angel Studios is capitalizing on the Easter weekend with the biblical animated version “The King of Kings,” bringing in $6.6 million on Friday. Its competitors predict that this Korea-made feature will have amassed $17 million by the end of its second weekend, representing a modest 12% decrease from its opening weekend. Despite facing competition from “Minecraft” for family audiences, “The King of Kings” has struck the right balance between stirring emotions within its intended audience and releasing at an opportune time coinciding with the Easter holiday. This success places it as Angel Studios’ second-highest grossing film ever, trailing only behind its initial success “Sound of Freedom.

In its second weekend, “The Amateur,” a Disney release under their 20th Century Studios label, has earned an additional $2.3 million on Friday. By Sunday, it aims to reach approximately $27 million in total earnings. Industry experts predict a 54% drop, which is quite good given the film’s middling reviews. However, with a production budget of $60 million for this PG-13 espionage movie, achieving success will be challenging.

In simple terms, “Warfare” by A24 ranks fifth in the list, earning approximately $1.6 million on its first day and anticipating around $4.8 million for the second weekend. Directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, this military thriller is projected to reach a total of about $17 million in domestic box office sales by the end of Sunday.

This weekend, I’m excited to share that a remake of “The Wedding Banquet” is hitting the big screen, courtesy of Bleecker Street. This heartwarming rom-com boasts an impressive cast, featuring Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, and Kelly Marie Tran. You can catch it in 1,133 theaters nationwide. Despite the positive reviews it’s been receiving, its opening weekend is projected to be a challenging one, with estimates suggesting it might not surpass the $1 million mark. But as a film enthusiast, I always believe that great movies find their audience over time!

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that GKids is introducing “Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing,” which is adapted from the widely acclaimed rhythm video game starring Hatsune Miku voicebank and character. This anime feature is set to premiere in approximately 800 cinemas across the country, and it’s projected to generate a box office revenue of around $2.7 million within its first three days.

In approximately 1,500 locations, Briarcliff Entertainment is screening the animated comedy “Sneaks.” This film features Anthony Mackie and Chloe Bailey lending their voices to the story of two sneakers navigating New York City after being separated. On its first day, “Sneaks” made around $240,000 and is expected to launch well outside the top 10 box office rankings.

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2025-04-19 19:17