By Creative Media Times
Warner Bros. Pictures[
It looks like the film adaptation of Stephen King’s creepy novel could open even higher than the already lofty expectations. The horror film has opened to a massive $13.5 million on Thursday night, ranking third this year behind only Disney’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” at $17 million, and “Beauty and the Beast,” with $16.3 million.
That is also the biggest preview gross for an R-rated film, beating Deadpool’s $12.7 million. Though New Line and Warner Bros. pic most likely won’t open as high as Deadpool’s $132 million over the weekend given that the wise-cracking superhero opened on a President’s holiday weekend, last night’s number is already the highest preview for a horror pic and for a film released in September.
Multiple weekend media forecasts suggest the film will open around $80 to $85 million, but don’t be surprised if “IT” goes above those estimates and if numbers hold, the film will obliterate multiple records.
The movie is also riding high with critics, currently at 90% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and 71 on Metacritic, both solid scores for the genre.
The film arrives at a perfect time after weeks of sluggish boxoffice business, and as well as months of high anticipation following record breaking trailer views.
Directed by Argentinian filmmaker Andrés Muschietti, the film tells the story of eight children in Derry, Maine, who are terrorized by the demonic Pennywise the Dancing Clown played by Bill Skarsgard.
