Despite the hopes for the future of the franchise with James Cameron back more directly involved and the return of Linda Hamilton to the films, Terminator: Dark Fate is not proving to be the shot in the arm it promised. While it opened top of the US box office this weekend, it launched to just $29 million, according to studio estimates.
Arriving well below predictions, the film cost more $200 million to make and market, and hasn't delivered in either the States or overseas, where it has earned $123.6 million worldwide in this first weekend. Not a complete flop, then, but hardly the hit that Paramount and Disney/Fox were looking for. It's also only a couple of million ahead of 2015's Terminator Genisys, which put paid to previous franchise plans.
Doing far better is Joker, which keeps earning well. It was second this weekend, overtaking Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil and adding $13.9 million for $299.6 million at the domestic box office. Globally, the movie is up to $934 million this week, meaning entry to the billion dollar club is close at hand. Maleficent's sequel made do with third and $12.1 million.
The week's second new arrival, historical pic Harriet, landed fourth on $12 million, while the animated Addams Family rounded out the top five with $8.4 million.
Zombieland: Double Tap was sixth with $7.3 million, ahead of Countdown on seventh and $5.8 million. Cop thriller Black And Blue took $4 million in eighth, while Edward Norton's latest directorial outing, Motherless Brooklyn struggled in its debut, kicking off with just $3.6 million and ninth. Finally, at 10th, Arctic Dogs also foundered in its first week, earning $3.1 million.