In an unexpected twist, Warner Bros.' "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" has managed to outshine the newest installment in the beloved sci-fi franchise, "Transformers One." Despite fierce competition, the spooky sequel clinched the top spot at the box office for the third week in a row.

"The quirky antics of everyone's favorite bio-exorcist," as many critics have dubbed it, raked in a remarkable $26 million from 4,172 theaters, pushing its domestic earnings to an impressive total of $225 million and a global tally of $329.7 million. The film has captivated audiences, proving that nostalgia can still be a significant draw in today’s film market.

On the flip side, "Transformers One," the animated origin story featuring the iconic Autobots and Decepticons, debuted with a disappointing $25 million from 3,978 venues. This figure fell short of expectations for Paramount and Hasbro, who projected an opening of $30 million to $40 million. Unfortunately, the animated flick only managed to pull in $14 million internationally, bringing its worldwide earnings to a modest $39 million. With a cost of $75 million to produce, the initial reaction has raised eyebrows in Hollywood.

Featuring voices from stars such as Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, and Scarlett Johansson, "Transformers One" marks the franchise’s return to theaters as its first animated film since 1986’s “The Transformers: The Movie.” Although the original film was deemed a financial letdown, over the years, it has gained a dedicated fanbase. Directed by Josh Cooley of "Toy Story 4" fame, this new entry has received favorable reviews, suggesting that it might have the potential for a surge in ticket sales in the coming weeks, much like other animated films post-pandemic.

Meanwhile, another newcomer, Lionsgate's "Never Let Go," stumbled into fourth place with a lackluster $4.5 million from 2,667 theaters. This survival thriller starring Halle Berry continues Lionsgate's streak of underwhelming openings, as it follows a string of poorly performing films in the recent months. Mixed reviews with a 61% score on Rotten Tomatoes do not bode well for its future performance.

Additionally, Demi Moore's latest project, "The Substance," which explores the extreme measures an aging starlet takes to regain her youth, opened in sixth place with $3.1 million. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, this body-horror satire has garnered attention since premiering at Cannes, where it received critical acclaim.

As for long-standing performers, "Speak No Evil," a remake from Universal and Blumhouse of the 2022 Danish thriller, slipped to No. 3, grossing $5.9 million over the weekend. Meanwhile, Disney and Marvel’s "Deadpool & Wolverine" continued to dominate with $3.8 million in its ninth week, bringing its staggering total to $627 million domestically and an astonishing $1.317 billion globally—the fifth highest in domestic history and the top R-rated film of all time!

In limited release, A24’s "A Different Man" debuted strongly, earning an impressive $14,031 per screen. Its unique storyline of transformation is expected to gain wider distribution soon.

Despite "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" standing out as a beacon of success for September, overall, domestic revenues are down, trailing 11.9% behind last year and 25.7% behind 2019. Analysts suggest the industry is in dire need of a revival, with high hopes for upcoming releases in October, including anticipated films like "Joker: Folie À Deux," "Saturday Night," and "Anora," which might turn the tide.

Stay tuned as this box office battle continues to unfold! Will "Transformers One" bounce back, or has "Beetlejuice" cast a spell that can't be broken?