Despite potential weather disruptions from a Nor'easter in the Northeast, the cinematic landscape is buzzing with activity. According to a report from Deadline, this weekend could mark the best late-September performance since 2018, when the total box office reached $106.4 million.
Leading the charge is Disney/Marvel Studios' re-release, Avengers Endgame: Encore. The three-hour epic is estimated to pull in between $23 million and $26 million this weekend from 3,060 theaters. Its Friday take alone hit an estimated $11 million, following strong previews of $3.8 million—surpassing last year's Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith re-release. With this weekend's haul, Encore's lifetime domestic cume could approach $884.3 million. The re-release is further boosted by four extra minutes teasing the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and is leveraging Disney/Marvel's new 'Infinity Vision' certification across 1,300 premium large-format screens and 390 IMAX hubs. Globally, the film is expected to add another $25 million, contributing to a worldwide weekend total of approximately $50 million. While Avengers: Endgame remains the second highest-grossing film worldwide, behind Avatar, its domestic re-release isn't expected to unseat Sony's Spider-Man: Brand New Day as the all-time domestic leader, which is projected to reach $950 million by Sunday.
Sony's Resident Evil is also showing strong numbers in its second weekend, projected to add $22 million after a $6.5 million Friday. This would push its domestic tally to around $102.1 million by Sunday, marking it as the 19th film this year to cross the $100 million threshold.
A tight race for third place is unfolding between two new contenders: Paramount's Heart of the Beast and A24's Primetime. Brad Pitt's Heart of the Beast, a survival tale about a Special Forces veteran and his combat dog, is on track for $20.5 million, earning $7.5 million on Friday and $2 million in previews. The film has resonated strongly with audiences, boasting a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics are also largely positive. Internationally, it's expected to open to $15 million across 63 markets, contributing to a potential $35 million global opening.
Meanwhile, A24's Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson, is also making a significant splash. The film, which explores a 'To Catch a Predator' case gone wrong, earned a solid $2.7 million in previews and an estimated $8.5 million on Friday, with many optimistically predicting it will surpass $20 million for the weekend. This $15 million-net production is receiving critical acclaim, with 86% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and is performing ahead of several recent Pattinson features.
Not all films are enjoying the same surge, however. Universal/DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, typically the type of family animated feature that thrives in this late-September slot, is projected to earn $10.1 million this weekend, falling short of its $13 million-$15 million range. Despite critical praise (95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), original animated movies continue to face challenges in launching.
Overall, the top five films alone are expected to generate between $95 million and $98 million this weekend, signaling a vibrant and competitive box office environment that bodes well for the industry's continued recovery and growth.