“Speak No Evil,” Universal and Blumhouse’s remake of the 2022 Danish horror film, is projected to earn $10 million to $13 million in its box office debut.
The movie cost $15 million, so it’ll be decently positioned in its theatrical run. But unless it beats expectations, “Speak No Evil” may continue a humdrum year for scary movies. Horror is usually one of the most reliable big screen genres, but other than Disney’s “Alien: Romulus” ($314 million globally) and Neon’s sleeper hit “Longlegs” ($103 million globally), recent offerings haven’t popped at the box office.
James Watkins (“Bastille Day”) directed “Speak No Evil,” a pitch-black comedy of manners about a couple — starring James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis — who invite two friends to their vacation at their idyllic, remote home in the countryside. It turns into a trip from hell when things take an unimaginably sinister turn. Reviews have been positive, which could help with word of mouth.
Despite two newcomers — there’s also Lionsgate’s “The Killer’s Game” with Dave Bautista — last weekend’s champ “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” will reign again in its second outing. Ticket sales are expected to decline by 60% from its huge $111 million debut, which would put revenues around $45 million over the weekend. So far, the sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 horror-comedy classic has grossed $153 million globally.
Elsewhere, “The Killer’s Game” is targeting $5 million in its box office debut. The film, directed by J. J. Perry, follows Bautista as a veteran assassin who learns that his terminal medical diagnosis was wrong… forcing him to fend off a hit he placed on himself.
Source Agencies
