Theater counts: Black Adam bolts into a stellar 4,402 theaters

October 20, 2022

Black Adam

As has been the case with many films during the pandemic era, this week’s widest release was originally scheduled to hit theaters last year. Debuting in 4,402 locations, Black Adam positions itself comfortably between Minions: The Rise of Gru (4,391 theaters), and The Dark Knight Rises (4,406 theaters) as the 21st-widest release in history and the fifth widest film to debut this year. Meanwhile, finally making its arrival to North American cinemas, is the George Clooney and Julia Roberts romantic comedy, Ticket to Paradise. The Ol Parker-directed film will show in a respectable 3,543 locations.

Black Adam is, of course, the biggest movie this week in terms of both it being the widest release, and expected to easily top the box office chart (more on that in our weekend prediction tomorrow). The superhero film is based on the DC Comics character of the same name and stars Dwayne Johnson. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the $200 million Shazam! spin-off is the 11th film in the DC Extended Universe.

Ticket to Paradise stars Clooney and Roberts as two divorced parents who, after learning that their daughter is planning to marry a man whom she just met, conspire to work together to sabotage the wedding to prevent her from making the same mistake they made twenty-five years ago. The Universal Pictures feature has scored over $74 million from international markets that began in early September.

Last week’s top movie, Halloween Ends, which collected just over $40 million in its opening weekend, and currently sits with a six-day total of $45.16 million, keeps its location count of 3,901 as it heads into its second week. Moving into the fourth spot on our list with 3,536 locations is Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. The next-widest release this weekend is Smile, which is still available in 3,296 movie houses as it nears $75 million in total.

Once again there is an abundance of new films showing in limited release this week. Making its theatrical debut is the 1960s drama Paul’s Promise. Playing in 50 locations, it is the inspiring true story of Paul Holderfield, former racist firefighter-turned-pastor who started one of the first integrated churches in the American South. Also playing in limited release is The Divine Protector — Master Salt Begins. The Japanese fantasy-adventure opens in seven locations. Debuting in four theaters this week before expanding into 50+ next week is the 1920s Irish drama, The Banshees of Inisherin. The movie stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson and is directed by Martin McDonagh. Other films making their arrival into theaters this week are Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power in two cinemas; the Turkish drama Brother’s Keeper and Voodoo Macbeth in two locations; and German comedy Rimini in one theater.

Next week looks to be quiet compared to this week, but there are nevertheless a few films making their theatrical debuts, including Prey for the Devil in about 2,800 locations, while TÁR and Till are expanding nationwide.

Theater Counts for October 21

MovieDistributorTheatersPrevious
Theaters
Change
Black AdamWarner Bros.4,402New
Halloween EndsUniversal Pictures3,9013,901
Ticket to ParadiseUniversal Pictures3,543New
Lyle, Lyle, CrocodileSony Pictures3,5364,350-814
SmileParamount Pictures3,2963,612-316
The Woman KingSony Pictures1,8582,565-707
Amsterdam20th Century Studios1,7503,005-1,255
Don’t Worry DarlingWarner Bros.1,3062,734-1,428
BarbarianWalt Disney7851,805-1,020
Minions: The Rise of GruUniversal Pictures7561,215-459
Top Gun: MaverickParamount Pictures691902-211
BrosUniversal Pictures6182,201-1,583
DC League of Super PetsWarner Bros.409881-472
See How They RunSearchlight Pictures280525-245
TÁRFocus Features14136+105
TillUnited Artists10416+88
Running The BasesUP2U Films56142-86
Paul’s PromiseIntegrity Releasing50New
The Divine Protector - Master Salt BeginsFreestyle Releasing7New
The Banshees of InisherinSearchlight Pictures4New
Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-PowerKino Lorber2New
Brother’s KeeperAltered Innocence2New
Voodoo MacbethLightyear Entertainment2New
RiminiBig World Pictures1New

Estimates for October 28

Prey for the DevilLionsgate2,800New
TÁRFocus Features800141+659
The Banshees of InisherinSearchlight Pictures504+46
Please Baby PleaseMusic Box Films16New
A Chance EncounterSamuel Goldwyn Films5New
Armageddon TimeFocus Features7New

Filed under: Theater Counts, Halloween, DC Extended Universe, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Dwayne Johnson, Jaume Collet-Serra, Martin McDonagh