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‘Halloween’ Slashes Genre Records, Makes a Killing at the Box Office

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Halloween

David Gordon Green’s Halloween opened theatrically on October 19th, and the box office numbers are already breaking records. The highly-anticipated return to Haddonfield has grossed $77.5 million domestically, with a worldwide total of $91.8 million. That’s quite the opening weekend.

via Universal Pictures

As noted by Variety, these numbers don’t quite beat Andy Muschietti’s IT – which totaled $123 million over its opening weekend, making it the most successful start for an R-rated horror film – but Halloween sits comfortably in second place for both R-rated horror and films with an October debut (falling just behind Venom‘s $80 million).

That said, Halloween has earned the well-deserved top spot in a few categories. Halloween destroyed the franchise record opening, which was previously resting at $26 million for Rob Zombie’s 2007 reboot. It also smashed into first place as Blumhouse’s best debut, previously held by Paranormal Activity 3 at $52.5 million.

via Universal Pictures

Halloween can also celebrate two new records for women in horror. The film has taken the crown as the highest-grossing opening for a horror film with a female lead, and thanks to the return of scream queen supreme Jamie Lee Curtis in her iconic role as Laurie Strode, Halloween marks the biggest launch ever for a female lead over 55 years old.

Made with a budget of only $10 million, and currently sitting with a score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, there are plenty of reasons for Blumhouse to celebrate.

“I am enormously proud of this film,” said Jason Blum. “‘Halloween’ brings the franchise back to life in a fresh, relevant and fun way that is winning over fans and critics alike.”

via Universal Pictures

Halloween premiered at TIFF in September (read our review from the world premiere here!) and went on to screen at multiple festivals including Fantastic Fest and Sitges. Initial projections for Halloween showed an opening weekend estimate of $55 million.

Considering that many fans had the opportunity to see the film before its official opening weekend (and film festival numbers are typically not included in opening weekend totals), this is an impressive start.

Any time that a horror film does this well in the box office – whether you liked the movie or not – it’s a benefit for the genre as a whole.

Horror movies sell, and they sell well. This communicates a strong message to studios that there is a loyal, passionate audience for horror. It’s quickly become a legitimate, lucrative market that cannot be ignored.

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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