Anticipation is running very, very high for Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s Scream VI, which lands in theaters this weekend. Cinemark’s selling Ghostface popcorn buckets (er, online only), fan theories are running rampant on social media, and critics who’ve seen the film have been largely positive in their reactions (as of this writing, Scream VI is certified fresh on RT). Even a cursory glance at the situation suggests that Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett probably have another hit on their hands.
Indeed, according to a new report over at Variety, we can probably strike that “probably” from the previous sentence:
“Based on early estimates, Scream VI is projected to debut to at least $35 million and as much as $40 million over the weekend. As of now, 2000’s Scream 3 remains the franchise’s top opener with $34 million.”
That’s right, Scream VI is on track to deliver the highest-grossing opening weekend in the franchise’s history, which would also best Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett’s record on last year’s Scream (which opened at $30M). For comparison’s sake, Variety also notes that this week’s other two new releases, the sci-fi action-thriller 65 and the feel-good sports comedy Champions, are both expected to bring in opening weekends in the single digits.
So, here we are, once again being given the opportunity to point out that horror seems all but bulletproof at the box office these days. Yes, there’s a built-in audience here given Scream VI‘s place within a franchise, and sure, no one was expecting Champions to set the box office aflame, but we’re never gonna feel anything less than excited whenever horror hits big with theater-going audiences. A rising (bloody) tide floats all (horror) boats, and that’s worth celebrating.
Anyway! Scream VI, in theaters this weekend. We gonna see you there or what?
