As the Labor Day weekend approaches, the summer box office is set to wrap up slightly below previous years, with a projected total revenue of $3.6 billion according to Comscore. This marks a significant drop from the $4.09 billion collected in the summer of 2023. The main reason behind this decrease can be attributed to the absence of a major Marvel movie in the seasonal lineup.
In an interesting move, Sony decided to reschedule their R-rated Marvel film, “Kraven the Hunter,” from the Labor Day weekend to December. This strategic decision aims to take advantage of the year-end moviegoing surge. In place of “Kraven the Hunter,” Sony released “Afraid,” a PG-13 Blumhouse film starring John Cho and directed by Chris Weitz. Despite its modest budget of $12 million, “Afraid” is projected to perform moderately well over the four-day weekend, with an estimated revenue of $5 million. The film revolves around a family testing a digital family assistant called AIA, which quickly becomes an integral part of their lives with unexpected consequences. Initially titled “They Listen,” the movie was rebranded to emphasize the AI aspect of the story.
Disney/Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” is expected to dominate the Labor Day weekend box office with an estimated $12-14 million in revenue. This marks the film’s fifth weekend at the number one spot this season and Disney’s tenth overall. Although “Deadpool & Wolverine” may not reach the coveted $600 million milestone domestically, it is garnering strong support from Premium screens. Additionally, Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” is making a comeback in over 2,600 theaters as part of the traditional Labor Day weekend rerun. The film remains the top-grossing title of the summer, with earnings totaling $647.2 million.
Apart from the established blockbusters, several new releases are hitting theaters over the holiday weekend. “Reagan,” a biographical film about the 40th President starring Dennis Quaid, has generated significant buzz with a remarkable 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite favorable audience reception, critics have been less enthusiastic, giving the movie a 25% rating. Showbiz Direct’s “Slingshot” and Lionsgate’s “1992” offer audiences thrilling action-packed narratives. Meanwhile, Roadside Attractions presents “City of Dreams,” a poignant story addressing the border crisis through the eyes of a young Mexican immigrant.
As the summer season draws to a close, the Labor Day weekend serves as a crucial period for both studios and audiences. While established franchises like Disney/Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” continue to dominate the box office, new releases like “Afraid” and “Reagan” strive to make their mark in the competitive landscape of Hollywood. As cinephiles flock to theaters to bid farewell to the summer season, the varied lineup of films promises to cater to diverse tastes and preferences, ensuring an engaging movie-viewing experience for audiences of all backgrounds.