The Thursday box office numbers are in for Warner Bros.' BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN), and it looks as if DC's female-fronted superhero film has earned between $4 million – $5 million, with showtimes beginning at 6 p.m.
While the film has failed to bank as much as other R-rated superhero spectacles in Thursday previews like last year's JOKER ($13.3M), 2016's DEADPOOL ($12.7) and 2017's LOGAN ($9.5M), positive reviews of the film continue to spread across social media platforms like wildfire – with many touting the movie's inventive fight choreography, endearing character chemistry, and killer soundtrack.
According to analysts, the film is expected to gain steam throughout the weekend, after it expands to 4,236 theater locations on Friday. That said, those same analysts now have the movie earning $42 million during its opening weekend, down from $48 million. While many will see this numbers as a harbinger of rough times to come, it's entirely possible that walk-up tickets could help the Birds fly higher than what's been predicted. After all, not everyone has time to make it to the theater on a Thursday evening, especially with unpredictable weather conditions impacting several high-traffic areas.
If BIRDS OF PREY has one clear challenge against it, it's that the film's R rating will keep underage viewers away from theaters without an adult to get them through the door. Therefore, the movie relies heavily on fans of the comics and viewers over the age of 17 to make up the lion's share of the box office. Next week is also a holiday weekend, though I doubt that films the likes of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, DOWNHILL, and FANTASY ISLAND will provide much competition for a film filled with foul-mouthed femme fatales. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.
If you're still on the fence about seeing BIRDS OF PREY this weekend, be sure to check out Jimmy O's fantabulous review of the manic SUICIDE SQUAD spin-off right here!
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