Box Office Shocker: ‘Here’ Bombs While ‘Venom 3’ Dominates

In a surprising twist at the box office, the highly anticipated fantasy drama ‘Here,’ featuring Hollywood A-listers Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, has flopped spectacularly. This film, which implements AI to present both younger and older versions of the actors, ranked fifth with a mere $5 million from 2,647 theaters across North America. In stark contrast, ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ continues to reign supreme, reinforcing its status as the go-to blockbuster for audiences.

Miramax, in partnership with Sony, produced ‘Here,’ which is directed by the renowned Robert Zemeckis, creators of the classic “Forrest Gump.” The ambitious narrative spans 100 years, exploring the lives of those inhabiting a single house, showcasing Hanks and Wright transitioning through various life stages thanks to cutting-edge de-aging technology. Unfortunately, critics have largely dismissed ‘Here,’ as evidenced by a disappointing 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a “B-” grade on CinemaScore — indicators that could severely limit its box office potential. With a production cost of $45 million, ‘Here’ will need a miracle to justify its budget.

Industry expert David A. Gross pointed out that “weak openings for original dramas have become quite common,” criticizing the film for failing to emotionally resonate with audiences. As we see from the past, if the story doesn't connect on a deep level, it’s challenging for viewers to recommend it.

Tom Hanks’ Box Office History

This misfire comes as Hanks has been a box office staple over the years, but the landscape of moviegoing has transformed dramatically since films like 'Forrest Gump' and 'Saving Private Ryan' captivated audiences. His recent endeavors included the war drama 'Greyhound' being sold to Apple TV+ during the pandemic and ‘News of the World,’ which grossed only $12 million when cinemas were struggling to reopen. However, his last release, ‘A Man Called Otto,’ did surprise everyone by grossing $113 million globally against expectations, proving there's still hope for the veteran star.

‘Venom: The Last Dance’ Continues to Dominate

On the other hand, 'Venom: The Last Dance' continues to enjoy a robust showing, raking in $26.1 million during its second weekend, although that's a significant drop from its $51 million opening. As the final installment in Sony's Marvel antihero trilogy, it has so far collected $90 million domestically, with international sales climbing higher. This weekend’s earnings push its global total to a staggering $317 million, showcasing that, while not a record-breaker like its predecessors, ‘Venom 3’ still attracts plenty of viewers.

Box Office Trends and Future Releases

As we move into a slower fall for cinema, overall box office performance is trailing 11.4% behind 2023 figures and a staggering 27% behind 2019 levels, according to Comscore. With major studios opting out of releases during the election, the quiet period is expected to persist until the holiday season kicks into gear, heralded by upcoming releases like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson’s ‘Red One’ on November 15.

In box office holdovers, DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Wild Robot’ climbed to second place with $7.5 million, showcasing remarkable staying power. Meanwhile, 'Smile 2' continues to draw audiences, slipping to third with $6.8 million, while Ralph Fiennes’ ‘Conclave’ debuted in fourth, adding $5.3 million. Clint Eastwood's ‘Juror No. 2’ remains in limited release, keeping box office numbers under wraps.

In brighter news, Jesse Eisenberg’s heartfelt drama, ‘A Real Pain,’ saw a strong limited release debut, bringing in $240,000 from just four theaters, solidifying anticipation for its nationwide expansion.

Outlook for the Future

As we approach the holiday season, eyes remain on the big releases that will hopefully reignite the theater-going experience after a sporadic fall festival. Will Hanks and Wright's next project be the comeback or the continued tailspin of an era? Only time will tell!