Disney and 20th Century Studios’ “Barbarian” opened at the domestic box office this weekend, blasting $10 million, according to estimates from metrics firm Comscore.
The acclaimed horror film exceeded expectations during a relatively quiet period at the North American box office as the summer movie season comes to an end, giving way to a scary season. Another new Disney title, Star Studios’ “Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva,” landed second place with $4.4 million – the fourth-highest domestic opening ever for a Bollywood film.
Written and directed by Zach Cregger, “Barbarian” stars Georgina Campbell as a woman who endures a terrifying stay at an Airbnb. The casting winding thriller also includes Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long and Matthew Patrick Davis.
The spooky feature earned an impressive 92% rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes and a lackluster C-plus rating from audiences polled by CinemaScore.
“Cregger wraps this multi-layered, contemporary social commentary into a harrowing and downright horrifying film that draws inspiration from classic horror cinema and tropes,” said film critic Katie Walsh. written for the Los Angeles Times.
“It’s the throwback appeal coupled with new ideas – and plenty of skull scares – that makes this such an exciting new film and one of the must-watch horror movies of the year.”
Directed by Ayan Mukerji, “Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva” follows its title character on a daring quest for love and self-discovery. The action-adventure stars Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor.
On Rotten Tomatoes, “Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva” earned a 63% lukewarm rating. The fantasy film has yet to receive a rating on CinemaScore.
Rounding out the top five at the domestic box office this weekend, Sony Pictures’ “Bullet Train” collected $3.3 million in its sixth weekend for a North American total of $92.5 million. ; Paramount Pictures’ “Top Gun: Maverick,” which grossed $3.2 million in its 16th weekend for a North American total of $705.7 million; and Warner Bros.’ “DC League of Super-Pets,” which grossed $2.8 million in its seventh weekend for a North American run-up of $85.4 million.
TriStar Pictures’ “The Woman King,” UP2U Films’ “Running the Bases,” IFC Films’ “God’s Country” and A24’s “Pearl” will open for wide release next weekend.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
