Midway Shoots Down Doctor Sleep at the Box Office

In a stunning upset, Lionsgate’s WWII epic Midway shot down expected box office champ Doctor Sleep to win the weekend with an estimated $17.5 million. The Roland Emmerich film, which was produced independently on a budget of $100 million, should play well over today’s Veteran’s Day holiday as well, but may still struggle to recoup its large investment.

In second place was Warner Bros.’ The Shining sequel Doctor Sleep, which despite a popular IP, the Stephen King brand and the direction of fan fav Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Gerald’s Game) managed to only eek out $14.1 million in 3855 locations, over 600 more theaters than Midway. Pundits are blaming the film’s 2.5 hr length, the lack of star power from Ewan McGregor (he’s great, but no Jack Nicholson) and other factors. The film was projected to open between $25-$30 million, with Flanagan even scripting a followup titled Hallorann. This baffling failure could ultimately cost Warners a $20 million loss when all is said and done. Doctor Sleep has taken in $20 million in international territories so far for a worldwide total of $34.1 million.

Paramount’s family comedy Playing With Fire opening at #3 with $12.8 million, ahead of projections for the John Cena-led film.

In fourth was Universal’s romantic comedy Last Christmas, which debuted soft with only $11.8 million domestically and $3.1 million internationally for a worldwide cume of $14.7 million. The Paul Feig film could potentially hold strong through the holidays, however.

Slipping to #5 is the franchise trainwreck Terminator: Dark Fate, dropping -63% to take in $10.8 million, placing it well behind the previous dud Terminator: Genisys which had $59 million by this point in its run. Internationally the film has taken in $150 million for a worldwide total of nearly $200 million, which it will need to more than double in order to pull a profit.