Venom: The Last Dance Dominates Box Office with $16.2 Million, While New Releases Struggle

Venom: The Last Dance has continued its impressive run at the box office, maintaining the top spot for the third consecutive weekend. The film grossed $16.2 million in ticket sales across U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to studio estimates released on Sunday.

This performance allows the superhero sequel to fend off new releases, including Heretic, which debuted with $11 million, and the family-friendly film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which opened with $11.1 million.
Despite mixed reviews, Venom: The Last Dance has proven to be a dominant force in a sluggish fall movie season. The film, starring Tom Hardy, has garnered a total of $114.8 million domestically and nearly $279.4 million internationally, bringing its global total to approximately $394.2 million.

This success is particularly notable given that major studios opted not to release new films during the weekend due to the upcoming elections, allowing Venom to maintain its lead.

The film’s international performance has been robust, earning nearly three times its North American gross. Analysts suggest that its continued popularity can be attributed to its established fan base and the lack of strong competition in theaters.
Heretic, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, follows two Mormon missionaries who encounter a man played by Hugh Grant, leading to unexpected consequences. While critics praised Grant’s performance, audiences rated it a C+ CinemaScore. Nevertheless, with a production budget under $10 million, Heretic is expected to turn a profit despite its modest opening.

On the other hand, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, based on Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s book, received an A CinemaScore from viewers and performed well among family audiences. Its grassroots promotional campaign included local print and radio appearances aimed at engaging community leaders and congregations.
Overall, the box office remains about 11% behind last year’s figures, but analysts are optimistic about upcoming releases during the Thanksgiving period, which is expected to boost ticket sales significantly. Upcoming films include Amazon’s holiday feature Red One, Paramount’s Gladiator, and Disney’s Moana 2, all of which are anticipated to draw larger audiences.

As Venom: The Last Dance continues to thrive at the box office, it highlights the ongoing appeal of superhero films even amid a competitive cinematic landscape.

Final domestic numbers for the weekend will be announced on Monday, providing further insight into the film’s performance as it approaches potential new milestones.

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