North American box office, Moviegoers across North America are feeling a mix of excitement and disappointment as the box office slows after two record-breaking weekends. While “The Conjuring: Last Rites” and the anime sensation “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle” dominated the charts in previous weeks, the latest weekend saw ticket sales drop sharply. Fans still flocked to theaters, but the energy from earlier box office surges didn’t carry over.
Demon Slayer Holds the Top Spot Despite Slower Weekend
Even with the slowdown, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle remained the weekend champion. The Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures anime added an estimated $17.3 million, bringing its North American total to $104.7 million. This milestone makes it the highest-grossing anime film ever in the region. Fans continue to praise the animation and storytelling, proving that a dedicated fanbase can maintain a film’s momentum even during slower weekends.
Him Opens but Fails to Impress Audiences
Newcomer Him, produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw and directed by Justin Tipping, opened in second place with $13.5 million in ticket sales. Starring Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans, the football horror attempted to combine sport with suspense. However, critics and audiences were largely unimpressed, giving it a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a C- CinemaScore. Many viewers felt the movie’s dark premise was undercut by uneven execution, dampening its box office potential.
The Conjuring: Last Rites Continues Strong Performance
North American box office, Even in its third weekend, The Conjuring: Last Rites held strong at the box office, earning $13 million and bringing its global total to $400 million. This installment has now become the highest-grossing entry in the Conjuring franchise. Horror films continue to dominate, with this genre accounting for $1.1 billion in domestic ticket sales so far this year. Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore notes that horror is on track for another record-breaking year.
Romance and Original Films Struggle
While blockbuster franchises and popular anime performed well, original films struggled. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, earned only $3.5 million from 3,300 theaters. Negative reviews and low audience interest hindered its success. Dergarabedian explained that original films without a recognizable brand face strong headwinds, as audiences are increasingly selective about what they pay to see.
Steady Performers and Nostalgic Re-Releases
Other films fared moderately well. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale added $6.3 million in its second weekend, while The Long Walk, adapted from Stephen King’s novel, also earned $6.3 million. Nostalgia played a role, with Toy Story’s 30th anniversary re-release pulling in $1.4 million and Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 adding $600,000 from its 30th anniversary screenings. These re-releases remind audiences of beloved classics and provide studios with steady revenue streams.
Upcoming Releases Generate Excitement
Looking ahead, the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson film “One Battle After Another” has already stirred anticipation. Anderson’s previous hit, “There Will Be Blood,” remains a fan favorite, and critics expect strong interest in his new work. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift fans will have a unique cinema experience as AMC Theaters hosts “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” a 90-minute event showcasing her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” This special event will screen across 540 U.S. theaters from October 3 to October 5, highlighting how non-traditional content is drawing audiences back to theaters.
North American Box Office Top 10 for the Weekend
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle – $17.3 million
- Him – $13.5 million
- The Conjuring: Last Rites – $13 million
- The Long Walk – $6.3 million
- Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale – $6.3 million
- A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – $3.5 million
- The Senior – $2.8 million
- Toy Story (30th Anniversary Re-Release) – $1.4 million
- Sight & Sound Presents: NOAH – Live! – $1.4 million
- Weapons – $1.3 million
The recent dip in ticket sales demonstrates the cyclical nature of box office trends. While blockbusters like Demon Slayer and franchise horror films continue to draw crowds, original stories and romance dramas face greater challenges in capturing audience attention. Fans and studios alike are reminded that critical acclaim, brand recognition, and fan loyalty are key factors in driving box office success.
Disclaimer: North American box office, This article is for informational purposes only, providing insights into recent North American box office trends. Figures are based on estimates and may vary once final data is released. Audience reception and critical reviews are included for context and do not constitute a personal endorsement of any film.
