2023 started strong in the film industry, but we are nowhere near pre-pandemic numbers. The year started with Universal’s M3GAN, which shattered our expectations by taking home $30,429,860 on opening weekend. Even with the “Tiktok bump” and support from 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water, M3GAN’s box office returns are astonishing for a January horror film post-pandemic.
Unfortunately, horror flicks lost steam after M3GAN’s release. Knock at the Cabin made $14,127,170 on opening weekend, which is just short of Old’s numbers in 2021. Even worse, the Infinity Pool (my favorite 2023 film so far) opening made a measly $2,514,364 on nearly 2,000 screens. We won’t need to wait long for the next big test for the horror genre. Scream VI releases on March 10. At the time of publishing, the experts are predicting that it will outperform the hugely successful Scream V which made $140,000,000 at the box office.
Despite the recent horror movie returns, I am extremely hopeful for the film industry in 2023. 80 for Brady made $12,500,000 on its opening weekend, which surpassed expectations. Don’t get me wrong. I’d see a movie with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field together, but making that movie a road-trip comedy with Tom Brady is pushing it.
Until Paramount actually released 80 for Brady in theaters, I thought the trailer was a teaser for a Super Bowl ad. But this movie wasn’t for my demographic. According to CinemaScore, 68% of 80 for Brady ticket buyers were women and nearly 50% were 55 years or older. Top Gun: Maverick brought the baby boomers back in theaters, but 80 for Brady shows that they keep coming back. Getting this demographic back will strengthen ticket sales across all genres of film. As a result, studios may take more chances on original ideas. I’m feeling good about 2023.
Hopeful for original ideas! Just not sure we will see those returns in 2023. May be a few years.
What do you predict will be the highest grossing movie of 2023? Will the MCU re-establish box office dominance after an off year?