Warner Bros.” New Line’s film division should have no trouble scaring off the competition and winning this weekend’s box office contest.
The Nun II — which is officially kicking off its fall season after a busy summer — hopes to open domestically to $30 million or more after making $3.1 million in Thursday previews.
In 2018, The nun opened domestically to $53.8 million, on its way to grossing, earned a whopping $365.6 million at the worldwide box office, the best for any title in The incantation horror franchise, unadjusted for inflation (including a gross preview of $5.4 million).
“You can’t stop a good demon – not if they can still bring in the crowd,” writes Frank Scheck in his review of the sequel to The Hollywood reporter.
The sequel is set in 1956 and features Taissa Farmiga, the real sister of Conjure star Vera Farmiga – return as Sister Irene, who, despite her kind demeanor, can handle any demonic challenge. Jonas Bloquet also returns, while newcomer Storm Reid (Euphoria) joins the cast as a young nun.
Michael Chavis directed the picture after previously helming it Conjure terms The Curse of La Llorona And The Conjuring: the devil made me do it.
This weekend’s other new national entry is a romantic comedy My Fat Greek Wedding 3, written and directed by series creator Nia Vardalos. In addition to her managerial duties, she stars opposite John Corbett. Focus Features handles the film domestically, while Universal Pictures International has foreign duties.
The feel-good picture opens in high single digits after earning $550,000 in previews.
The threequel, which follows the eccentric Portokalas family as they travel to Greece, is a sequel to the wildly popular 2002 film and its not-so-successful 2016 sequel. My Fat Greek Wedding will again be produced by Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.
The ensemble cast includes Louis Mandylor, Elena Kampouris, Gia Carides and Joey Fatone, with Lainie Kazan and Andrea Martin.
Among the remains, Denzel Washington stars The equalizer 3 should be number 2 The Nun II. Barbie, Big Tourism And Oppenheimer should also remain on the map.
My Fat Greek Wedding 3
Thanks to Focus features