Easter is upon us and it looks like audiences were more interested in horror this weekend as The Curse of La Llorona is now estimated to nab the number one spot with a solid domestic opening weekend. Both BoxOfficeMojo and Deadline are suggesting the New Line Cinema horror film could end up hitting $26 million this weekend via studio estimates, lower end estimates place the film more in the $24 million range.
It’s another impressive haul for New Line Cinema and producer James Wan, who are known for modestly budgeted horror films that end up making a mint at the box office. The Curse of La Llorona is no exception as it’s budget is reportedly around $9 million.
Box office folk are also quick to point out that the box office this Easter weekend hasn’t been this low since 2005, which didn’t seem to slow down the success for The Curse of La Llorona.
Other New Line Cinema/James Wan horror films on the horizon include Annabelle: Comes Home, The Conjuring 3 (directed by La Llorona director Michael Chaves), and The Nun 2. I would assume that La Llorona will also get a sequel given this weekend’s success.
Warner Bros. is having a good month in April, as while Shazam! was bumped out of the number one spot, the DC Comics film is about to cross the $300 million mark globally.
In life, she drowned her children in a jealous rage, throwing herself in the churning river after them as she wept in pain. Now her tears are eternal. They are lethal, and those who hear her death call in the night are doomed. La Llorona creeps in the shadows and preys on the children, desperate to replace her own. As the centuries have passed, her desire has grown more voracious … and her methods more terrifying. In 1970s Los Angeles, La Llorona is stalking the night—and the children. Ignoring the eerie warning of a troubled mother suspected of child endangerment, a social worker and her own small kids are soon drawn into a frightening supernatural realm. Their only hope to survive La Llorona’s deadly wrath may be a disillusioned priest and the mysticism he practices to keep evil at bay, on the fringes where fear and faith collide. Beware of her chilling wail…she will stop at nothing to lure you into the gloom. Because there is no peace for her anguish. There is no mercy for her soul. And there is no escape from the curse of La Llorona.
SOURCE: BOX OFFICE MOJO & DEADLINE
