Theater Counts: Shang-Chi and Cry Macho once again too close to call

September 23, 2021

Since its debut in early September, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has enjoyed the limelight as the widest film, coupled with impressive numbers at the box office. For the first time, however, the Marvel film dips below the 4,000 theater mark, landing this week in 3,952 locations, which will likely be neck-and-neck with Cry Macho, which opened in 3,967 theaters last weekend and will probably stay at the same number (Warner Bros. is not releasing official counts at this time). New this week is the musical Dear Evan Hansen. The teen-drama starring Ben Platt follows a high schooler who, plagued with social anxiety, concocts a story to become closer to the family of a deceased classmate. Directed by Stephen Chbosky and based on the music stage play by Steven Levenson, Dear Evan Hansen debuts in 3,364 theaters. Also new in wide release this week is Courageous Legacy. The film from Sony Pictures is a re-release of the 2011 film, which contains the original storyline with an extended, remastered cut 10 years later. It arrives in 1,023 theaters across North America this weekend. Lastly, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, which debuted last week, expands to 1,352 locations this week.

Coming to theaters this week in limited release is the latest film from Sony Pictures, I’m Your Man. The film, starring Dan Stevens and Maren Eggert, opens in 16 locations. Also new this week is Surge. The thriller starring Ben Whishaw debuts in five theaters.

Looking ahead to next week we see the release of the Marvel Entertainment action thriller, Venom: Let There be Carnage. The film, helmed by Andy Serkis and starring Tom Hardy and Woody Harrelson, is set to arrive in an estimated 4,000 theaters. Also making its debut next week is The Addams Family 2. The sequel to the 2019 animated feature that took in $200m in earnings arrives in an estimated 3,800 locations per United Artists Releasing. Lastly, Warner Bros. will release the historical crime drama, The Many Saints of Newark. The film charts a young Anthony Soprano as he grows up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city.

Note: Warner Bros. counts are estimates from Box Office Pro.

Theater Counts for September 24 - September 26

Estimates for October 1

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts, Addams Family, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Ben Whishaw, Dan Stevens, Stephen Chbosky, Ben Platt, Maren Eggert