Ghost hunting is still a profitable business in New York.
Studio estimates show that 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' earned $45.2 million in ticket sales over the weekend, making it Sony Pictures' first No. 1 film since last summer.
The opening weekend for 'Frozen Empire' in 4,345 theaters was almost the same as the $44 million start for 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' in 2021, which rebooted the franchise with a sequel focused on the descendants of Egon Spengler and Paul Rudd's seismologist Gary Grooberson.
While neither film was liked by critics, 'Frozen Empire' received a B+ CinemaScore from moviegoers, slightly lower than the A- score for 'Afterlife.' The movie is not guaranteed to make a profit, but it's hoping for steady business over spring break.
'Ghostbusters' movies usually don't do well internationally. 'Frozen Empire' made $16.4 million in 25 overseas markets.
The latest 'Ghostbusters' cost about $100 million to produce. After Jason Reitman took over directing from Ivan Reitman for 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife,' 'Frozen Empire' is directed by Gil Kenan, co-writer of 'Afterlife.'
Both sequels took 'Ghostbusters' in a more family-friendly, PG-13 rated direction, with original cast members Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray returning in supporting roles. Sony rebooted the franchise after the 2016 female-led 'Ghostbusters' faced backlash.
The other new wide release this weekend was 'Immaculate,' a horror film starring Sydney Sweeney as an American nun at a remote Italian convent. The film, released by Neon after premiering at SXSW, debuted with $5.4 million on 2,354 screens. Sweeney's rising star power helped make 'Anyone But You' a successful rom-com, but 'Immaculate,' an independent production that cost less than $10 million to make, isn't having the same success.
David A. Gross of the consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research wrote, “The movie features the popular Sydney Sweeney, but horror movies are not cast-driven. They’re driven by the hook: the evil doll, the wicked smile, the invisible or silent presence, the found footage, the possessed child. That’s what terrifies the horror crowd. The hook is not completely clear here.”
The second spot went to 'Dune: Part Two,' which continues to do well. The Denis Villeneuve-directed sci-fi sequel starring Timothée Chalamet added $17.6 million in its fourth weekend, bringing the Warner Bros. release’s domestic total to $233.4 million.
Overseas sales are just as strong, adding up to a $574.4 million worldwide haul.
After two weeks at the top, Universal’s 'Kung Fu Panda 4' came in third place with $16.8 million over its third weekend. The well-performing DreamWorks animated sequel has reached $133.2 million domestically and debuted with $25.7 million in China, where the movies have historically been popular.
