Theater counts: Blue Beetle rebuffs an onslaught of newcomers to become widest release

August 24, 2023

While holding steady from its opening count of 3,871 theaters, Blue Beetle becomes the latest film to become the widest release in its sophomore frame, partially due to Barbie finally dropping below the 4,000-theater mark after spending four of its five weeks as the most widely-available film in North America. Blue Beetle topped last weekend’s box office with just over $25 million and currently holds a six-day domestic total of $32.19 million. This week, however, brings on a slew of fresh films ready to challenge Blue Beetle and Barbie for the box office crown.

The largest debut this week comes in the form of racing feature Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story. Beginning its run in 3,856 cinemas, the movie portrays the true story of Jann Mardenborough, the teenage Gran Turismo player who wins a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual racecar driver. Mardenborough is played by relative newcomer, Archie Madekwe, while also headlining veteran actors David Harbour and Orlando Bloom.

Also opening in wide release this week is the Liam Neeson action-thriller, Retribution. Debuting in 1,728 movie houses, the movie is a remake of 2015’s El desconocido and follows Neeson’s character, Matt Turner, as he and his children are all of a sudden threatened by a mysterious bomber as he drives them to school. The film is directed by Nimród Antal and co-stars another veteran actor in Matthew Modine.

Showing in 1,570 locations this week is the newest film from Briarcliff Entertainment in the inspirational sports drama, The Hill. The film recounts the baseball-hitting prowess of a young Ricky Hill, despite being hampered by a debilitating spinal disease. The 1970’s drama stars Colin Ford as Rickey Hill, while Dennis Quaid portrays his father, James.

Arriving to 883 theaters this week is the biographical drama, Golda. The film follows the tense 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and the leadership of Israel’s Prime Minister, Golda Meir, which would ultimately decide the fate of her nation and leave her with a controversial legacy around the world. Meir is portrayed by Hollywood icon Helen Mirren and is directed by Israeli film director, Guy Nattiv.

Lastly, returning to the big screen for its 30th anniversary is one of the most legendary films in cinematic history, Jurassic Park. The film will playing in 3D in 1,224 cinemas throughout North America. The Steven Spielberg feature has bit off over $1 billion worldwide and has spawned a plethora of sequels, which have collected north of $6 billion in global revenue.

Rounding out the top five widest releases this week is worldwide phenomenon, Barbie, still showing in a solid 3,736 locations;Strays, which adds nine theaters in its second weekend for a total of 3,232; and finally Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, clocking into 3,145 venues. In case you missed your opportunity to see a movie on the big screen, a couple of fan favorites have added an abundance of locations this week for National Cinema Day, including The Little Mermaid, going from 40 theaters to 1,600 this week, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, adding 1,383 cinemas, for a total of 1,451 locations.

Looking ahead to next week we see only one wide release make its way into theaters as the third installment of The Equalizer debuts. Expected to arrive in approximately 3,800 cinemas, The Equalizer 3 brings back Denzel Washington as well as Antoine Fuqua, who has directed all three Equalizer films.

Theater Counts for August 25

Estimates for September 1

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts, Jurassic Park, Barbie, The Little Mermaid, The Equalizer, DC Extended Universe, Liam Neeson, Dennis Quaid, Denzel Washington, Nimrod Antal, Orlando Bloom, Antoine Fuqua, David Harbour, Helen Mirren, Matthew Modine, Colin Ford