Theater counts: Super Mario fends off six newcomers to remain widest release

April 13, 2023

Sporting an eight-day domestic total of $250 million, The Super Mario Bros. Movie once again finds itself as the widest release as it heads into its second weekend, adding 28 locations for a total of 4,371 cinemas. The animated adventure opened last Wednesday and took in an impressive $204.6 million in its first five days. Mario and friends shouldn’t have any trouble staying on top at the box office despite the arrival of six wide releases making their theatrical debuts.

Showing in 3,375 locations this week is the latest from Universal Pictures in the Nicolas Cage supernatural horror-comedy film Renfield. The modern monster tale tells the story of Dracula’s tortured aide, R.M. Renfield. The movie stars Nicholas Hoult as Renfield, while Cage portrays the infamous Dracula himself.

Also making its North American debut is another supernatural horror feature in The Pope’s Exorcist. Arriving in 3,178 venues, the movie follows Father Gabriele Amorth (played by Russell Crowe) as he investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden. The film is inspired by Amorth’s memoirs.

Making its way into 1,204 cinemas this week is the basketball biopic Sweetwater. The film highlights the struggles of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton during his rise, first with the Harlem Globetrotters, then with his historic signing with the NBA as the first African-American to enter the league.

Mafia Mamma is set to open in 2,002 movie houses this week. The comedy film starring Toni Collette follows an insecure American woman who unexpectedly inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy. The Bleecker Street film is directed by Catherine Hardwicke and co-stars Monica Bellucci and Sophia Nomvete.

Debuting in 933 locations is the psychological thriller, Nefarious. The movie follows a convicted serial killer, who on the day of his scheduled execution, gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist will commit three murders of his own. Directed by Cary Solomon, and Chuck Konzelman, the film stars Sean Patrick Flanery and Jordan Belfi.

Lastly, landing in North American theaters is the Japanese anime adventure film, Suzume. The movie debuted in its home country last year and has went on to collect over $256 million worldwide to date. Suzume will be available in 2,170 movie houses.

Releasing in a limited 24 locations this week is Rare Objects, a 1920s-set drama that follows a young woman with a traumatic past who seeks to rebuild her life when she begins working at a New York City antique shop. Appearing in four venues is the Swedish dramatization, Hilma which highlights the story of Hilma af Klint, the woman who posthumously revolutionized the art world as one of the first abstract artists.

Looking ahead to next week we see the opening of three new wide releases with Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant making its theatrical debut in a projected 3,300 theaters, while Evil Dead Rise is expected to start in 3,000 locations. Finally, Chevalier will debut in about 1,350 cinemas.

Theater Counts for April 14

Theater Counts for April 21

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts, Nicolas Cage, Monica Bellucci, Russell Crowe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Catherine Hardwicke, Nicholas Hoult, Guy Ritchie, Jordan Belfi, Cary Solomon, Chuck Konzelman, Sophia Nomvete