Box Office: 'Terminator: Dark Fate' fizzles with $29 million debut

[webfact]

Box Office: 'Terminator: Dark Fate' fizzles with $29 million debut

By Rebecca Rubin

 

FILE PHOTO: "Terminator: Dark Fate" cast members (L-R) Mackenzie Davis, Linda Hamilton, Natalia Reyes and Gabriel Luna, recipients of the CinemaCon Ensemble Award, pose during the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. April 4, 2019. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

 

LOS ANGELES, (Variety.com) - "Terminator: Dark Fate" shot past box office competition but still fell short of expectations as Paramount and Skydance Media's sci-fi sequel debuted to $29 million in North America.

 

Though the sixth instalment in the "Terminator" franchise landed in first place on domestic box office charts, the results are less than promising given the film's $185 million budget. Heading into the weekend, the movie was expected to collect over $40 million during its first three days in theatres. Those figures seemed attainable since reviews were strong and audience sentiment was overwhelmingly positive.

 

International audiences could give the film a boost. Overseas, "Terminator: Dark Fate" earned another $72.9 million. Disney is releasing the movie in all foreign territories aside from China, where Tencent Pictures is handling distribution.

 

"Dark Fate" reunites series creator James Cameron with stars Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger for the first "Terminator" movie since 1991's "Terminator 2: Judgement Day." They were joined by new cast members Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes and Gabriel Luna. In this instalment, Sarah Connor (Hamilton) must protect a young girl from a deadly new Terminator from the future. Tim Miller ("Deadpool") directed from a screenplay by David S. Goyer ("The Dark Knight," "Blade"), Justin Rhodes and Billy Ray.

 

"Terminator" might not be the only film with a dark fate at multiplexes. Edward Norton's "Motherless Brooklyn" barely cracked the top 10, generating a paltry $3.6 million when it bowed in 2,720 North American theatres. The neo-noir crime drama, based on Jonathan Lethem's novel, cost $26 million. In addition to writing and directing the long-gestating film, Norton stars as a private investigator with Tourette syndrome who works to solve the murder of his mentor. The cast also includes Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bobby Cannavale and Alec Baldwin.

 

Fellow new release, Focus Features' "Harriet," had a far more promising start at the domestic box office, arriving at No. 4 with $12 million from 2,059 venues, ahead of expectations. The film boasts a rare A+ Cinemascore from audiences, signalling the historical drama could continue to benefit from positive word of mouth. Older female moviegoers drove "Harriet's" opening weekend sales: 62% were women and 59% were over the age of 35. African Americans accounted for nearly 50% of ticket buyers.

 

"Harriet" carries a $17 million production budget, which should help it pave a clear path toward profitability. Adding to the plaudits for Focus Features, it's the first speciality studio in 15 years with two back-to-back films that debuted above $10 million. In September, the company released "Downton Abbey," which launched with a better-than-expected $31 million.

 

"Harriet" centres on Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo), the abolitionist who led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Kasi Lemmons directed the film, which also stars Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn and Janelle Monae.

 

"Audiences have been unanimous for their love of this film, which is clear from its A+ CinemaScore and 98% Audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes," said Lisa Bunnell, Focus Features' president of distribution. "With the story of one woman's strength that literally change the world we all live in today, it is the feel-great movie people are looking for -- becoming an event for friends and families going to see together."

 

Adds producer Debra Martin Chase, "This is not a slave movie. This is a movie that says we cannot control the circumstances into which we are born, but we can control what we do once we get here."

 

This weekend's final newcomer, Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures' "Arctic Dogs," lacked much bite, debuting in 10th place with $3.1 million from 2,844 screens. The kid-friendly animated adventure about a team of ambitions animals features the voice cast of Jeremy Renner, Heidi Klum, James Franco and Anjelica Huston.

 

Meanwhile, Warner Bros.' "Joker" benefited from the Halloween spirit and held steady at No. 2, declining just 29% to $13.6 million in its fifth weekend of release. "Joker" has generated a huge $299 million in North America and $934 million globally, putting Joaquin Phoenix's super-villain origin story on track to clear the $1 billion mark worldwide.

 

Holdovers Disney's "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" and MGM's "Addams Family" rounded out the top five.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-11-04

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[J Town]

As much as I enjoyed this one, it's still a dying franchise. Quit while you're still not too far behind.

[Chazar]

This is I think the worst of the lot by quite a  long  way.

[Kinnock]

Because major films are a commercial business, the investors want to minimize the business risks - so 'franchise' movies with a known track record or films based on books or toys with an existing fan base are the ones that attract the backers looking to turn a profit.

 

Hence Transformers 6 or Terminator 7 or the Harry Potter series and spun offs.

 

Does not leave much space for creativity or originality.  I've not gone to see any of the recent releases as I've not felt motivated - I'll just wait to watch it on my next flight.

Edited November 4, 2019 by Kinnock

[Rimmer]

It gets terrible reviews on IMDB

[tifino]

still waiting to see it, but (was) and still hoping that it, manages to turn the franchise full circle; like First Blood 4 did...

[lupin]

"Terminator: Dark Fate 2019" : Two Terminators travel back in time to the present day. A virtually unstoppable Liquid Terminator is sent back to kill a young person who will someday be vital to the future of mankind in the war against the  machines. The second is a Protector, nowhere near as strong as the Liquid Terminator, and its mission is to protect that young person from the Liquid Terminator. A sinewy, cynical, battle-hardened Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) is the mother figure/leader. During the 100 minute chase that follows, the Protector Terminator and the young person bond. The action-packed climax takes place in an industrial center....

 

Is that not also the exact bloody story for Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)?

Why, yes — yes it is.

[Benmart]

The real box office smash is not at the cinema. It is to be found in a production of life entitled: Share, Care and Love.

[DoctorG]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

since reviews were strong and audience sentiment was overwhelmingly positive.

Strange. Every review I have seen so far has been negative.

[johng]

I went to see it yesterday and thought it was great..the special effects and fight sequences  where almost too much at times  but very entertaining..no need for deep thinking just sit and watch in awe.

Edited November 4, 2019 by johng

[ncc1701d]

1 hour ago, johng said:

I went to see it yesterday and thought it was great..the special effects and fight sequences  where almost too much at times  but very entertaining..no need for deep thinking just sit and watch in awe.

Spoilers ahead...

 

Yeah I liked it too. Mackenzie is hot imo. Would have liked to have seen some more flashbacks of the younger years. 

[J Town]

2 minutes ago, ncc1701d said:

Spoilers ahead...

 

Yeah I liked it too. Mackenzie is hot imo. Would have liked to have seen some more flashbacks of the younger years. 

You ever see Trey Parker in "Baseketball?"

[ncc1701d]

18 hours ago, J Town said:

You ever see Trey Parker in "Baseketball?"

Nope ????

[junenorm]

I've seen this movie with my friends and we did enjoy it. It's not as good as the first 3 Terminator movies but it's still worth the time if you're looking for some entertainment. 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/4/2019 at 6:50 PM, Chazar said:

This is I think the worst of the lot by quite a  long  way.

I didn't think it was too bad, but it could have been better.

IMO they spent more energy on making it a girl's movie than on a decent story.

The whole kick ass female thing is just boring now. I don't even bother going to see most of them, as all the same. Multiply me by thousands and you have movies failing to make a profit.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/4/2019 at 7:19 PM, tifino said:

still waiting to see it, but (was) and still hoping that it, manages to turn the franchise full circle; like First Blood 4 did...

It'll never terminate. Every time they change the future, it allows for a different movie.

The best of the sequels was IMO the one with Christian Bale. Note, it was not about kick ass females, but about the story.

This movie is more about the female characters than about the story. Boring.