Box Office Battle: “Send Help†and “Iron Lung†Lead Contentious Weekend
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A surprisingly competitive box office weekend is unfolding, with a slate of new releases vying for attention and defying pre-release expectations. Despite a crowded field, Sam Raimi’s “Send Help,†starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, and the ultra-low-budget horror film “Iron Lung,†from YouTuber Markiplier, are emerging as frontrunners.
“Send Help†Opens Strong with Positive Reception
“Send Help,†a survival horror/dark comedy, garnered over $7 million in opening day sales, including previews, and is projected to earn $16-18 million over the full weekend. The film has been well-received by critics, boasting a 76/100 score on Metacritic and a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.This positive critical response positions it as the most acclaimed of this week’s new releases.
“Iron Lung†Delivers a Shocking Debut
However,“Send Help†faces unexpected competition from “iron Lung,†an indie horror film based on the video game of the same name. Despite a production budget of under $3 million, the film opened with $9 million on Friday, fueled by pre-sales. Projections estimate a $14-17 million weekend haul, tho analysts suggest the initial numbers might potentially be front-loaded. while official critic scores are pending,early reviews have been mixed,with pacing cited as a primary concern within its 127-minute runtime.
Controversial Documentary “Melania†Exceeds Expectations
The documentary “melania,†focusing on the U.S. First Lady, is also performing strongly, poised for an $8 million debut. Following a $2.85 million Friday, the film is on track to achieve the best opening weekend for a documentary in a decade.Sales are particularly robust in rural areas, as well as Florida and Texas. The film’s success is bolstered by significant investment from Amazon MGM Studios, which secured worldwide licensing rights for $40 million and allocated an additional $35 million to the global marketing campaign.
Despite the financial backing, the documentary has faced harsh criticism. Directed by Brett Ratner, “Melania†currently holds a dismal 5/100 on Metacritic and an 8% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic described the film as having “at least some style†when compared to Leni Riefenstahl, while another labeled it a “gilded trash remake of jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of interest.â€
Other Releases Round Out the Top Five
“Zootopia 2†is expected to bring in $6 million,while “Mercy,†starring Chris Pratt,and “Avatar: fire and Ash†are currently vying for fifth place with estimated weekend hauls of $5 million each. “Mercy†is anticipated to experience a significant drop of 54% in its second weekend.The action thriller “Shelter,†led by Jason Statham,is currently projected to debut with $4 million.
This weekend’s box office results demonstrate a willingness among audiences to embrace a diverse range of films, from established franchises to independent projects and controversial documentaries.
Source: Deadline
