Theater counts: Deadpool & Wolverine claw their way back to widest release

August 29, 2024

It was one and done for Alien: Romulus as the most widely available film in the land, as Deadpool & Wolverine is back in familiar territory, once again taking the top spot as this weekend’s widest film. The film was also back on top of the box office, taking in $18.3 million for a 31-day domestic total of $577.2 million. Despite falling to second place, Romulus still enjoyed a weekend haul of $16.3 million, for a 10-day North American total of $72.8 million. This weekend we see six new wide releases make their entrance into theaters for the Labor Day weekend, providing moviegoers with an abundance of variety, surely to fit nearly anyone’s taste.

The largest of the new arrivals this weekend is the AI-oriented horror film Afraid. Starting its run in 3,003 locations, the film follows a family who are chosen to test a revolutionary new digital smart home AI called AIA. However, after learning the family’s routines and behaviors, it becomes too involved and begins controlling their lives. The film stars John Cho and Katherine Waterston, while directed by Chris Weitz.

The second-widest release of the newcomers this weekend is the biographical drama about the nation’s 40th President, Ronald Reagan. Beginning in 2,754 cinemas, Reagan charts the life of Ronald Reagan, from his childhood years through his time on the silver screen and through his run into politics, ending as President of the United States. The film is told through conversations between two former KGB agents. Dennis Quaid plays the titular role, while Penelope Ann Miller plays First Lady Nancy Reagan.

Debuting in 842 venues this weekend is the sci-fi thriller Slingshot. The film follows an astronaut struggling to maintain his grip on reality aboard a possibly fatally compromised mission to Saturn’s moon, Titan. Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne star.

Also opening in wide release this weekend is City of Dreams. The drama presents itself through the vivid point of view of a young mute Mexican boy who’s been trafficked over the border and sold into the underground sweatshop industry. The Mexico-United States co-production will be available in 774 North American theaters.

Making its way into 875 movie houses is the Ariel Vromen-directed, 1992. The crime-thriller follows a man as he desperately tries to rebuild his life and his relationship with his son amidst the turbulent 1992 L.A. uprising following the Rodney King verdict. The movie featuring Ray Liotta marks the last feature before his sudden passing in 2022.

Lastly, newcomer You Gotta Believe will make its cinematic debut. The film is the true story of one team’s transformational journey from district underdog to taking its place in the Little League record books. We will update the theater count when it becomes available.

Rounding out the top five this weekend is the aforementioned current box office champ, with Deadpool & Wolverine signing in with 3,630 locations. Occupying the spot as second widest-release this weekend is Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us, showing in 3,551 cinemas. Next is Alien: Romulus, available in 3,120 venues, while last week’s newcomer, Blink Twice, retains its opening count of 3,067 theaters as it enters its sophomore session.

Looking ahead to next week, we only see two wide releases make their theatrical launch, but one is a big one. The long-awaited arrival of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is almost here and is projected to be in a whopping 4,400 theaters, providing ample opportunities for fans of the classic film to see what the second installment has in store.

Filed under: Theater Counts, Alien, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wolverine, Deadpool, Beetlejuice, Ray Liotta, Dennis Quaid, Casey Affleck, John Cho, Laurence Fishburne, Blake Lively, Penelope Ann Miller, Katherine Waterston, Chris Weitz, Ariel Vromen