Terrifier 3 Tops Box Office Over Joker on October 13, 2024

This weekend in the United States, the box office was led by 'Terrifier 3,' a sequel to the 2022 horror film 'Terrifier 2,' which grossed $18.3 million. The film features the character Art the Clown, who wreaks havoc at a Christmas party. Its success comes as a surprise, especially given the recent struggles of major studio films. The horror genre continues to attract audiences, particularly low-budget productions that resonate with viewers. In stark contrast, 'Joker: Folie à Deux,' the sequel to the acclaimed 'Joker,' faced a significant downturn, earning only $7.1 million in its second weekend, a staggering 81% drop from its opening. This decline was attributed to a poor reception from audiences, reflected in its low CinemaScore. The film's disappointing performance has raised questions about audience expectations and the viability of high-budget sequels in a changing market. Additionally, the political film 'The Apprentice,' which portrays Donald Trump, opened in a disappointing 10th place with just $1.6 million. Despite its controversial subject matter and prior buzz from its Cannes Film Festival debut, it struggled to attract viewers, highlighting the challenges political films face in an election year. Overall, this weekend's box office results illustrate the unpredictable nature of audience preferences, with low-budget horror films proving to be a strong draw, while major studio releases falter under audience scrutiny.