Horror fans, or perhaps a combination of horror and Harry Potter-groomed Daniel Radcliffe fans, came out in sizable numbers Friday to watch the CBS Films release THE WOMAN IN BLACK, the first new title in years from the longstanding London-based, genre producer Hammer Films.
According to the latest estimates, CBS estimated $7M in Friday earnings from 2,255 theaters.
Box office pundits predicted a close race between the more traditional horror thriller The Woman in Black and 20th Century Fox’s Chronicle, a modestly budgeted mix of the superhero and found footage genres, about three teens who end up with telekinetic powers.
Fox estimated $5.5 million in Friday earnings for Chronicle from the slightly higher screen count of 2,907 locations.
The last new release for Super Bowl weekend, Universal’s family friendly adventure Big Miracle, based on the true story of an Alaskan town racing to save a family of grey whales trapped in the ice, lagged far behind with $2 million in Friday earnings and an estimated weekend total of $6 million.
The Open Road survival thriller The Grey looked to be the most successful of the holdover titles with analysts estimating $11.5 million for its sophomore weekend in release.
Look for additional box office estimates tomorrow.