Audiences are now returning to indoor movie theaters in much of the country. So let’s take a moment to celebrate the Drive-Ins and recognize the films and studios that led the box office during the unconventional “in-between” time period from the middle of March to the middle of August:
“TROLLS: WORLD TOUR”
The DreamWorks Animation sequel opened in about 30 Drive-Ins on the weekend of April 10th, earning approximately $60,000. Over the next 12 weeks, that total grew to close to $4 million. (It has reportedly earned around $150M on VOD.)
IFC FILMS
Horror flick “The Wretched” made headlines for being the most popular Drive-In feature film attraction for several weeks. Currently it’s up to more than $1.8 million. Fellow IFC horror/thriller entries “Relic” ($1.1M) and “The Rental” ($1.4M) are also doing very well.
VERTICAL ENTERTAINMENT
Ron Perlman’s “The Big Ugly” has made more than half a million dollars, and Bella Thorne’s grossed $430,000 in just four weeks. (It was only in 58 theaters in Weekend 1.)
AMAZON STUDIOS
Sci-fi mystery “The Vast of Night” and action comedy “My Spy” packed Drive-Ins for a few weeks. The latter now has a sequel in the works.
“PALM SPRINGS”
Hulu & NEON’s collaboration comedy was purchased for $17.5M at Sundance in January. The romance with a “Groundhog Day” spin starring Andy Samberg & Cristin Millioti opened to $164,000 at 66 Drive-Ins in July (that’s a $2,500 per screen average) and has been a huge hit for the Hulu streaming service.
“BECKY”
This action/thriller with Kevin James and Joel McHale just crossed the $1 million mark. Its largest theater count in a given weekend: 54. That’s impressive.
“THE TAX COLLECTOR”
The re-teaming of Shia LaBeouf and director David Ayer (“Fury”) has been a financially successful one: it’s on its way to $1 million.