‘Heretic’ Hunts for Runner-Up as ‘Venom 3’ Clings to the Throne

Ah, Hollywood! Where the drama doesn’t just stay on the screen. This weekend, while the major studios are taking a breather—probably still recovering from the election hangover—some underdogs are stepping up to the plate. Buckle up as we dive into the quirky world of box office numbers and cinematic shenanigans!

So, let’s talk about the overachiever of the weekend, Sony’s "Venom: The Last Dance." 🕷️ After a less-than-stellar debut, this "Spider-Man" spin-off has somehow managed to shimmy its way back to the top. It grabbed a neat $3.9 million this Friday and is eyeing a $14 million weekend. With a North American total hitting $100 million, it’s set to leapfrog over some of its competitors like "Alien: Romulus" and "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire." I mean, who would’ve thought? Venom’s dancing shoes are paying off! 💃

And while we’re on the subject of unexpected winners, let’s not ignore the overseas buzz. A whopping 70% of its revenue is coming from international fans who apparently can’t get enough of this trilogy-capper. No, it won’t reach the dizzying heights of its predecessors, but for a flick that cost $120 million to make, it’s definitely not a flop!

Now, for those who prefer their thrillers with a side of indie charm, "Heretic" is the flavor of the weekend. With Hugh Grant playing a sinister mind-game maestro (oh, Mr. Grant, how far you’ve come from bumbling rom-coms!), "Heretic" has bagged $4.2 million from Friday and previews. Aiming for a $10.8 million weekend, it’s set to join the ranks of A24’s successful horror flicks. Critics are loving it, audiences are… well, a bit more "meh" with a "C+" from Cinemascore. But hey, horror movies are always a mixed bag of screams and shrugs, right?

Meanwhile, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is jingling all the way to the bank. This Lionsgate release, with a shoestring $10 million budget, is on track for a $9.5 million weekend. It seems to be the perfect blend of holiday cheer and Christian storytelling, finally breaking Lionsgate’s streak of box office disappointments. Judy Greer and Pete Holmes are leading the charge here, and with an "A" grade from Cinemascore, it looks like this Christmas tale has more than just a little magic up its sleeve. 🎄✨

And let’s not forget the animated joyride, "The Wild Robot." It’s still hanging in there in its seventh weekend, promising to add another $6 million to its $125 million domestic haul. Not too shabby for a mechanical creature, huh? 🤖

Finally, "Smile 2" is grinning its way to $60 million, adding $4.9 million this weekend. Paramount must be pleased, though I bet the audience’s smiles are more of the creepy variety. 😬

Moral of the Story: In Hollywood, it seems the underdogs sometimes have the last laugh (or dance, if you’re Venom). 🎭 Life lesson? Never underestimate the power of a good sequel, a well-timed horror flick, or some festive cheer. After all, anything can happen in Tinseltown—especially when the big dogs are sleeping off a political hangover! 🍿