"Lisa Frankenstein," a horror comedy written by Diablo Cody and starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse, debuted in second place at the North American box office with $3.8 million, while "Argylle" took the top spot with $6.5 million. Despite a modest production budget, "Lisa Frankenstein" received mixed to negative reviews and struggled to attract audiences on a slow Super Bowl weekend. Industry-wide, the weekend saw a significant decline in ticket sales compared to previous years, with analysts attributing the low turnout to a variety of factors. The box office is expected to pick up with the release of bigger movies in the coming weeks.
The domestic box office saw historic lows during Super Bowl weekend, with combined ticket sales at an estimated $40 million, the worst showing in over three decades outside of 2021. Matthew Vaughn’s film "Argylle" led with a meek $6.5 million, while Focus Features’ horror-comedy "Lisa Frankenstein" opened in second place with $3.8 million. Hollywood studios are gearing up for new movie releases, and despite the Super Bowl, there is still potential for box office success.
"Lisa Frankenstein" and "Argylle" debut at the North American box office on a slow Super Bowl weekend, with "Argylle" taking the top spot. Despite a modest opening, "Lisa Frankenstein" failed to attract a large audience, while "Argylle" underperformed for Apple as its first major theatrical release. The weekend's overall box office was notably low, with industry-wide sales down nearly 25% from the previous year. Analysts attribute this to various factors, including the unique attention on the Super Bowl. The box office is expected to pick up with the release of bigger movies in the coming weeks, such as "Bob Marley: One Love" and "Madame Web," and the anticipation for "Dune: Part Two" in March.
"Argylle" claims the No. 1 spot at the box office with $6.5 million, while "Lisa Frankenstein" struggles in second place with $3.8 million, marking the lowest-grossing weekend of 2024. Super Bowl weekend traditionally sees slow ticket sales, and upcoming releases like "Madame Web" and "One Love" are not expected to significantly boost moviegoing until the debut of "Dune: Part II" in March. "The Beekeeper" and "Wonka" maintain their positions in the top three and four, respectively, while "Migration" takes the fifth spot.
Texas Health and Human Services has linked certain food products to a deadly Listeria outbreak, resulting in two deaths and over two dozen illnesses. Recalled items include dairy products, salad kits, and sauces sold at various stores in Texas, with a particular warning for queso fresco and cotija cheese from Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. Consumers are advised to check the FDA website for the full list of recalled items.
Super Bowl weekend is expected to be quiet at the box office, with the release of "Lisa Frankenstein" projected to earn between $5-9 million. The film's appeal to young women and the performance of holdover films like "Wonka" and "The Beekeeper" are expected to be key factors. However, Sunday moviegoing is anticipated to be significantly impacted by the Super Bowl, leading to a 50% decrease in box office earnings compared to the same weekend in 2023.
