Anna Daniels
This past weekend’s box office results brought unexpected developments, with Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice holding steady at number one for the third straight weekend. Despite tough competition from the newly released Transformers One, the eerie sequel managed to secure first place with a weekend earnings of $26 million. Its total domestic revenue has now reached an impressive $220 million, although it has only garnered $85 million in international markets. Made with a budget of $90 million, the film has successfully surpassed its production costs, confirming that Burton’s unique blend of gothic comedy resonates well with American viewers.
On the other hand, Transformers One debuted to disappointing numbers, bringing in only $25 million—significantly lower than the expected $35 million to $40 million range. After a decent start with $3.5 million during Thursday previews, the film’s overall performance fell flat, failing to meet the studio’s initial expectations. With a $75 million production budget, this result raises doubts regarding the film’s potential for profitability, especially since previous Transformers installments have typically dominated the box office.
Additionally, Alexandre Aja’s thriller Never Let Go, featuring Halle Berry, also underperformed, making just $4 million despite a $20 million budget. This lackluster showing further complicates Lionsgate’s recent challenges, following a rough year with other films like Borderlands and The Crow.
Looking ahead, next weekend’s releases, such as The Wild Robot, may introduce some competition. Expected to earn around $30 million, it could potentially dislodge Beetlejuice from its top position. For now, however, Tim Burton’s imaginative and dark universe continues to lead the box office.
