While Shang Chi’s continuing box office success week-over-week is proof-positive of the return of cinema traffic ($200MM domestically in week 5), in yet another explosive boost for theatres Sony’s Venom: Let there be Carnage slithered into October with a record-breaking $90MM US box office haul in Canada and the U.S. opening weekend. Tom Hardy’s return to the big screen broke yet another pandemic record, easily swallowing Black Widow‘s impressive theatrical opening weekend.

It also outpaced the first Venom film and is the second-highest October opening in cinematic history, just behind Joker, which generated over $96MM1 in 2019. “We are pleased that patience and theatrical exclusivity have been rewarded with record results,” said Tom Rothman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “This is another strong example that people want and need to get out of their homes for an immersive entertainment experience,” noted Cinemark’s CEO.

If that weren’t enough, Universal’s James Bond: No Time To Die is projected to give cinemas around the country the biggest opening since 2019, as ticket sales boom ahead of the theatrical-first release of the blockbuster in Canada this Thanksgiving weekend. Daniel Craig’s swan song has already ignited the international box office with a mighty $119MM2 opening weekend excluding China, arguably the world’s biggest movie market.

Hot on its heels is Warner Bros. Dune, which has already garnered impressive international box office numbers. The sci-fi flick has officially earned over $100MM3 in week three, setting the tone for its debut in the U.S. and Canada October 22nd. “Interest is off the charts. This is a movie with the global potential of $1 billion. I can see this becoming that kind of film with worldwide appeal in the vein of James Bond,” noted Paul Dergarabedian, Sr. Media Analyst at Comscore.

As theatre capacity restrictions lift in Central Canada, moviegoers are eager to take in the immersive cinema experience only the big screen can provide.

Coming soon to theatres in October:

  • No Time to Date: 10/08
  • Halloween Kills: 10/15
  • The Last Duel: 10/15
  • Dune: 10/22
  • Last Night in Soho: 10/22
  • Ron’s Gone Wrong: 10/22
  • A Mouthful of Air: 10/29

1,2,3 – Source: Comscore