The horror film landscape has seen a fresh contender emerge with A24’s latest offering, Heretic, which debuted with an impressive $1.2 million during its preview screenings. This opening occurred on a Thursday night, starting at 7 p.m., and notably does not factor in earlier sneak peeks held in Salt Lake City. While the film’s earnings fell short of matching the $1.3 million that A24’s prior horror hit, Hereditary, accumulated during its own preview screenings back in 2018, it surpassed the $1 million garnered by Universal’s Abigail and the $725,000 collected by Lionsgate/Blumhouse’s Imaginary.
Heretic’s performance indicates a promising reception as it heads into its full opening weekend. The film is projected to attract around $10 million to $12 million, positioning it as a potential contender to claim the top spot at the box office this week, potentially outpacing the third-week turnout of Sony’s Venom: The Last Dance. This forecast underlines the competitive nature of the horror genre, particularly in the current cinematic landscape where films like Abigail and Imaginary have recently made significant impressions with their opening weekends, earning $10.2 million and $9.9 million respectively.
Critically, Heretic appears to be resonating well with audiences and reviewers alike. It boasts an impressive 94% approval rating among critics, demonstrating that its narrative and craftsmanship may have struck a chord. Audience reaction seems favorable too, with the film receiving 3 stars, indicating a solid but perhaps not universally acclaimed experience among viewers. This varying reception suggests that while the movie has garnered critical praise, its audience experience may reflect a broader range of opinions, a common phenomenon in today’s diverse cinematic environment.
Competing against Heretic is Lionsgate’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which initiated its release with $500,000 from previews that started earlier in the day. The film, based on Barbara Robinson’s beloved book, has subsequently generated $2.8 million when considering early access screenings. According to tracking sources, it might land between $6 million and $8 million, although exhibition reports suggest that estimates could be optimistic. With its glowing 85% critic score and an astounding 99% audience positivity on engagement platforms, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever showcases how family entertainment continues to perform strongly during the opposite end of the cinematic spectrum from horror.
As the weekend unfolds, both Heretic and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever demonstrate the vibrant and fractured nature of the modern box office. With horror claiming a significant slice of audience attention, as evidenced by Heretic’s early numbers, and family-friendly fare resonating equally, it paints a picture of both competition and diversity in viewer preferences. Ultimately, these films highlight the dynamic interactions within the industry as new titles vie for a spotlight in a marketplace that has become both thrilling and volatile.