The horror genre continues to thrive at the box office, and A24’s latest offering, *Heretic*, is making its mark. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for their work on *A Quiet Place*, *Heretic* kicked off its cinematic journey over the weekend by grossing approximately $1.2 million during preview screenings, which began at 7 p.m. This figure excludes earlier sneak previews held in Salt Lake City, signaling a strong interest in the film. While the debut numbers are noteworthy, they are also crucial to examine in the context of A24’s previous successes in the horror genre.
In juxtaposition to other recent horror releases, *Heretic*’s Thursday preview earnings fell short of the $1.3 million made by *Hereditary* shortly after its release in the summer of 2018. However, it outperformed Universal’s *Abigail*, which managed $1 million, and edges ahead of Lionsgate/Blumhouse’s *Imaginary*, which garnered $725,000. Notably, despite not reaching the heights of *Hereditary*, this early momentum sets a solid stage for the film’s overall performance, particularly as estimates point towards an expected opening weekend take of between $10 million and $12 million. This opening could potentially catapult *Heretic* to the top of the box office, putting it in close contention with Sony’s *Venom: The Last Dance*.
Received well by critics and audiences alike, *Heretic* boasts a commendable 94% on the critical aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes and earned 3 stars from viewers during its early screenings. These ratings reflect the film’s ability to resonate with both critics and general audiences, a crucial aspect for sustaining box office momentum in subsequent weeks. The participation of notable actors, including Hugh Grant, has likely contributed to this favorable reception, suggesting that casting decisions remain integral to a horror film’s commercial success.
Also making headlines this weekend is Liongate/Kingdom Story’s *The Best Christmas Pageant Ever*, which made a modest $500,000 from its previews beginning at 4 p.m. The film’s cumulative earnings from early access previews amount to $2.8 million, and it has been projected to earn between $6 million and $8 million during its opening weekend. Critical reception for this family-oriented film has also been strong, with an 85% average rating from critics and near-perfect scores among parents and younger audiences, reflecting its appeal in the holiday season.
As cinema continues to adapt post-pandemic with diverse offerings, *Heretic* represents A24’s commitment to challenging norms within the horror genre. While its initial box office numbers may not shatter records, they indicate a promising trajectory. As *Heretic* competes with established franchises and new releases, audiences’ eagerness for quality horror experiences will play a significant role in determining its long-term success. This weekend’s box office performance could set a pivotal tone for the approaching season, highlighting the continued potential for innovation within genre filmmaking.