This weekend was projected to be a breather in between massive openings for “Despicable Me 4” (Universal) and “Twisters” (Universal)/ “Deadpool and Wolverine” (Disney) the following two weeks. It sort of worked out that way, but not the way it was expected. “Longlegs” (Neon) and “ Fly Me to the Moon ” (Sony) were projected to come in second and third this weekend with a combined $30 million-$35 million.
That part happened. But Apple’s rom-com with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum was expected to take second, perhaps at least $15 million (earlier projections higher), while Oz Perkins’ distinctive horror-thriller starring Nicolas Cage was felt to be $10 million or more. Instead, “ Longlegs ” took second with $22.
6 million, while “Fly” is initially placed at $10 million (others have it lower), and only in fifth place. Both are striking results. With a budget including marketing under $10 million, “Longlegs” has grossed more in only one weekend than all but two Neon films (“Parasite” and “I, Tonya”) in their entire run.
Released on the 25th anniversary of “The Blair Witch Project,” it is close enough in unexpected initial wide returns to take note. “Blair Witch,” which started the found-footage horror genre and was far and away its high point, opened limited, with in its first wide week grossing the equivalent of over $60 million today to an ultimate adjusted over $300 million. Different times, different result.
Both though.
