Big summer tentpole movies are facing difficulties at the domestic box office, as a horror film managed to surpass the latest Indiana Jones installment. “Insidious: The Red Door” debuted with an estimated $32.7 million, claiming the top spot for the July 7-9 weekend.
In its second weekend, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” fell to the second position, earning an estimated $26.5 million. Despite receiving mixed reviews, “The Red Door” performed better than expected, becoming the second-highest opening in the “Insidious” series, behind “Insidious: Chapter 2” from 2013. The film, directed by series star Patrick Wilson, features the original cast, including Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, and Andrew Astor. Screen Gems, Stage 6 Films, and Blumhouse collaborated on the horror movie.
Meanwhile, Lucasfilm and Disney’s “Dial of Destiny” experienced a steep decline of over 55 percent, reaching just over $100 million in domestic box office revenue and totaling $248 million worldwide. The sleeper hit “Sound of Freedom,” produced by Angel Studios, secured the third position in North America, earning over $17 million.
The crowd-funded film, which leans towards conservative values, gained significant popularity in America’s heartland and the South. It garnered an A+ CinemaScore from audiences and closed the weekend with a domestic total just below $40 million.
“Pixar and Disney’s “Elemental” maintained its position at No. 4, followed by “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” at No. 5. Lionsgate’s “Joy Ride” debuted disappointingly at No. 6, earning only $5.9 million. The film, which aimed for $7 million to $9 million, is part of Hollywood’s attempt to revive raunchy comedies.
Produced by the team behind “Neighbors” and co-written by a “Crazy Rich Asians” screenwriter, “Joy Ride” features Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu as four unlikely friends embarking on an extraordinary international adventure.
In other weekend highlights, “Elemental” surpassed DC and Warner Bros.’ “The Flash” in domestic ticket sales, accumulating over $109 million in North America
