Horror's 'Other Mommy' to Top Box Office as 'Social Reckoning' Underperforms

Key points

• 'Other Mommy' is forecasted to open with $20 million at 3,200 theaters, driven by Jessica Chastain's dual role and a low $18 million budget.
• 'The Social Reckoning' is tracking for a $7 million to $8 million debut, a sharp decline from the 2010 original's $22 million opening.
• Sony is marketing 'The Social Reckoning' as a 'companion piece' rather than a sequel to distance it from the original's critical success.
• The underperformance of Tom Cruise's 'Digger' has prompted theater owners to rebook Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' in premium formats.
• Critics have given 'The Social Reckoning' mixed reviews, with a 64% Rotten Tomatoes score compared to the original's 96%.

Background

The 2010 film 'The Social Network' was a critical and commercial success, earning four Oscars and $224 million globally. The current theatrical landscape is struggling with adult dramas, as evidenced by the poor performance of 'Digger,' which has a production budget exceeding $160 million but has only grossed $20 million globally. This week's releases include 'Street Fighter,' 'Whalefall,' and 'Clayface,' which are expected to improve upon last year's weak October box office.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and Deadline both agree on the $20 million opening for 'Other Mommy' and the $7 million to $8 million range for 'The Social Reckoning.' However, Deadline emphasizes the impact of MLB and NFL games on attendance, while Variety focuses on the comparison to the 2010 original. Boxoffice Pro notes that 'Other Mommy' tracking was initially as high as $35 million but has since dropped, while SYFY highlights the film's adaptation of Josh Malerman's novel 'Incidents Around the House' and its thematic focus on parental trust.

Why it matters

The performance of these two films will indicate the viability of horror and adult dramas in the current market. 'Other Mommy's' success could signal a strong Halloween season, while 'The Social Reckoning's' underperformance may suggest a continued struggle for non-franchise dramas. The rebooking of 'The Odyssey' also highlights the fragility of premium format attendance in a weak market.

What to watch

The box office results for 'Other Mommy' and 'The Social Reckoning' will be released on Monday. 'The Odyssey' is expected to see a boost in attendance due to its rebooking in Imax and 70mm screens. 'Verity' is expected to decline by 50% to 60% in its second weekend.