'Suicide Squad' wins box office again, yet how is it really doing financially?
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Molly Driscoll Staff writer
鈥淪uicide Squad鈥� came in first at the box office this past weekend, but its makers may not be happy: like this year's earlier DC Comics film 鈥淏atman v Superman,鈥� its record-setting opening weekend was followed by a big drop, suggesting that negative reviews are keeping would-be watchers at home聽鈥� or at competing films.聽
鈥淪quad鈥� grossed more than $43 million this past weekend, while the animated comedy 鈥淪ausage Party鈥� placed second, taking in more than $33 million in its opening weekend. The Disney live-action movie 鈥淧ete鈥檚 Dragon鈥� placed third in its own opening weekend, taking in more than $21 million.聽
The action film 鈥淛ason Bourne,鈥� the newest entry in the action series, placed fourth after having debuted in late July, grossing more than $13 million this past weekend, while the comedy 鈥淏ad Moms,鈥� which had also opened in late July, came in fifth place, grossing more than $11 million.聽
Coming in first place at the box office is never a bad thing. But industry observers are noting that the "Squad" gross of $43.8 million is a far cry from its $135.1 million gross last week. It鈥檚 a pattern that was seen earlier this year with the superhero movie 鈥淏atman v Superman,鈥� which is also based on DC Comics characters and was released by Warner Bros.聽
Such between weeks one and two, "while not unexpected for a film of its size," can indicate "poor word of mouth," the Associated Press reports.聽Like 鈥淏atman v Superman,鈥� 鈥淪uicide Squad鈥� was not well-received by critics, and earnings for both slipped nearly 70 percent after just a week in theaters.聽
called the performance by 鈥淪quad鈥� this past weekend one of the 鈥渧ictories that feel more like defeats.鈥澛�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a signal that the deplorable reviews are catching up with the film and is unwelcome news for Warner Bros., which is trying to launch an inter-connected series of cinematic adventures based on DC Comics characters, but is still struggling to make movies that people like, as well as attend,鈥� Mr. Lang writes.
