In addition to superheroes, horror has proven to be a powerful performer at the Stateside box office, its comparatively low budgets and wide appeal generating solid profits. The latest tale of terror to strike a chord with audiences is The Curse Of La Llorona, which earned a studio-estimated $26.5 million.
Though co-produced by James Wan (with Michael Chaves in the director's chair), it's not directly linked to the Conjuring films, though it does have a connection in Tony Amendola's Father Perez, who also popped up in 2014's Annabelle. The story of a terrifying legend about a weeping woman that brings death and fear pushed last week's repeat champ Shazam! down to second, but Warner Bros./New Line won't be shedding tears as the studio and its genre arm released both films. Shazam! spent its third weekend in the charts earning $17.3 million, and crossed the $120 million mark at the domestic box office.
Faith-based film Breakthrough – the first to be released by 20th Century Fox while under the auspices of new owners Disney – did solid business, outpacing expectations for $11.1 million ($14.6 million since opening on Wednesday) and a third-place launch. In fourth, Captain Marvel saw a jump in interest, likely driven by the imminent arrival of Avengers: Endgame next week. The film leapt back to fourth place from sixth, and added $9.1 million, marking another milestone as it passed $400 million domestically. Still, the looming shadow of its Marvel stablemate meant that studios largely avoided opening big films this weekend, and the Easter tally was the smallest for 15 years.
Rounding out the top five was Little, which earned $8.4 million, while Dumbo fell one place to sixth with $6.8 million. Pet Sematary took a hit thanks to new horror competition and slipped to seventh place, adding $4.8 million.
At eighth we find Laika's Missing Link, which actually rose one place (taking in $4.3 million). Us was ninth on $4.2 million while the underperforming Hellboy toppled from third to 10th and $3.8 million. This latest incarnation of Big Red has made just $19.6 million at the domestic box office.
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