A new ‘Exorcist’ movie titled ‘Exorcist: Believer’ hasn’t quite lived up to expectations at the box office. Universal Studios, the parent studio, invested a significant amount of money, reportedly around $400 million, to acquire the rights to the ‘Exorcist’ franchise. With the first-day box office numbers for ‘Exorcist: Believer’ coming in at a disappointing $11.9 million, including $2.8 million from Thursday previews, it seems that the studio’s hopes for a major success might not be realized.
Key Takeaway
‘Exorcist: Believer’, the sequel to the iconic ‘Exorcist’ franchise, is off to a slow start at the box office. Universal Studios invested a significant amount of money in acquiring the franchise rights and had high hopes for the film’s success. However, with underwhelming box office numbers and poor reviews, it remains to be seen if the studio’s investment will pay off in the long run.
Underwhelming Box Office Performance
The initial estimates for the 3-day weekend were in the range of $30-$35 million domestically. However, with the current pace, it is projected to reach only around $28 million. This shortfall in box office earnings is certainly a cause for concern for Universal. The studio had ambitious plans for the ‘Exorcist’ franchise, with two more sequels in the pipeline. Despite the poor reviews and the slow start at the box office, Universal is likely to move forward with these future installments.
Impact of Competing Releases
Another factor that might have contributed to the underperformance of ‘Exorcist: Believer’ is the upcoming release of a highly anticipated Taylor Swift movie next week. With the Swift movie expected to dominate theaters, it is likely that ‘Exorcist: Believer’ will have difficulty gaining momentum and attracting audiences.
The Critic’s Perspective
In addition to struggling at the box office, ‘Exorcist: Believer’ is also receiving negative reviews from critics. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of only 23%, it seems that the movie has failed to impress both audiences and reviewers alike.
