Major and independent exhibitors talk to IF about the year so far at the box office and prospects for 2024, the impact of the US strikes and the landscape for Australian features.
Finally landing in Australia almost a month behind the US, 'Blue Beetle', Warner Bros.' latest instalment in the DC Extended Universe, had a middling start at the box office and was unable to unseat stablemate 'The Nun II' from the no. 1 position.
The box office had a significant refresh last weekend, led by new releases 'The Nun II', 'Jawan', 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem' and 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3'.
Robert McCall may have claimed his biggest scalp yet on the weekend, with 'The Equalizer 3' shooting past 'Barbie' to reach top spot at the Australian box office.
Blondes, bombs, and underwater bites continue to reign at the Australian box office, with the top three films of 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer', and 'Meg 2: The Trench' holding their positions from last week.
Playstation game adaptation 'Gran Turismo' drew respectable crowds at the box office last weekend, but failed to hold a candle to heights of 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' or even 'Meg 2: The Trench'.
Jason Statham shark thriller 'Meg 2: The Trench' may have opened significantly below the 2018 original in North America, but here in Australia, receipts were almost on par. That said, the sequel was no match at all for the continued phenomenon that is 'Barbenheimer'.
Danny and Michael Philippou's debut feature 'Talk to Me' landed at no. 6 at the North American box office, proving to be A24's most successful release since 2018's 'Hereditary'. At home, it opened at no. 4 and is already the third highest grossing Australian film of the year.