Title: “Sony’s ‘Grand Touring’ Opens with $16M, Aims for Box Office Turbo Boost”
Subtitle: Sneak screenings and $4 discount tickets make for an unpredictable box office race
Date: August 27, 2022
Late-summer blockbuster “Grand Touring” from Sony Pictures has debuted with a solid opening of $16 million to $17 million. However, industry insiders are hopeful that the film’s A CinemaScore and upcoming National Cinema Day, offering $4 discount tickets, will provide a much-needed boost in the days to come.
Directed by Neill Blomkamp and based on a popular video game, “Grand Touring” was originally set to release nationwide on August 11. However, due to the ongoing actors’ strike and associated press restrictions, the studio opted for two weekends of sneaks and fan screenings before opening the movie everywhere on August 25. These sneak screenings contributed $3.9 million to the opening number, a rare occurrence that has affected the weekend box office standings.
Prior to the inclusion of sneak grosses, Warner Bros.’s “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig, was projected to top the chart with over $15 million in its sixth weekend. The inclusion of sneak grosses changed the order of the films, leaving the “Barbie” team less than pleased.
However, industry analysts caution that the box office numbers are subject to change due to National Cinema Day on Sunday. With tickets priced at $4 for any film format, it is expected to be a wild day in theaters. Currently, “Barbie” is leading in terms of ticket sales, according to analytics firm EntTelligence.
Other films in the box office race include DC’s “Blue Beetle,” which secured a third-place finish with an estimated $10 million in its second outing. Universal’s standout hit “Oppenheimer” earned an estimated $9 million, bringing its domestic total to $300 million. The Christopher Nolan-directed film has also surpassed “Inception” to become Nolan’s third-highest-grossing film at the domestic box office.
Meanwhile, several indie titles made their play at the U.S. box office this weekend, as the industry aims to reach the $4 billion domestic revenue mark, reflecting a return to pre-pandemic levels.
On the specialty front, Liam Neeson’s action film “Retribution” settled for eighth place with an estimated $3.3 million. Despite receiving a lukewarm audience response with a C CinemaScore, the film may still gain traction through premium video-on-demand. Additionally, “The Hill,” an inspiring sports drama starring Dennis Quaid, opened in 1,570 locations and earned an estimated $2.5 million. Helen Mirren’s “Golda,” depicting the life of former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir, is expected to bring in $2 million despite playing in fewer theaters.
At the specialty box office, “Bottoms,” a critically acclaimed teen sex comedy directed by Emma Seligman, had a pleasing start in 10 locations, boasting an impressive location average of $51,600.
National Cinema Day also witnessed high-profile rereleases, including “Jurassic Park” and “American Graffiti.” “Jurassic Park” took an estimated $1.7 million at the box office.
As the summer season approaches the finish line, industry stakeholders are hopeful that a mix of new releases, discount offers, and rereleases will contribute to achieving the ambitious $4 billion domestic revenue mark, signaling a resurgence for the film industry.
(Note: This article was updated on August 27 to reflect revised box office figures.)
Originally published on August 26 at 8:20 a.m.