Box Office Highlights: 'Suicide Squad

As of Monday at 4:00 PM, the weekend box office results for 'Suicide Squad' are in, with the film taking in an impressive $133.6 million.

This achievement marks a new record for August openings, surpassing the previous high set by 'Guardians of the Galaxy' by nearly 42%.

The 2014 film debuted with $94.3 million, making 'Suicide Squad' a significant success for Warner Bros., contributing to a year-on-year increase in ticket sales of 4.4%.

In comparison, the family comedy 'Nine Lives' debuted with a modest $6.2 million from Europacorp.

Meanwhile, in their second weekend, 'Jason Bourne' saw a substantial drop of 62%, while 'Bad Moms' performed relatively well, with a 41% decrease in earnings.

The young female audience also supported 'Nerve', which only fell 49% in its second week.

Looking ahead, 'Suicide Squad' will face stiff competition in its second weekend, with Sony set to release the much-anticipated R-rated animated film 'Sausage Party'.

Disney is also planning to release 'Pete’s Dragon', targeting family audiences, while 'Florence Foster Jenkins' featuring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant is set for a wider release.

Additionally, 'Hell or High Water', a crime drama starring Ben Foster, Chris Pine, and Jeff Bridges, will enter limited release, along with 'Blood Father', which features Mel Gibson and Elisabeth Rohm.

In terms of box office numbers:

• 'Suicide Squad' (Warner Bros.) is showing in 4,255 theaters with a total of $133.68 million over the weekend, averaging $31,418 per screen in its first week.
• 'Jason Bourne' (Universal) is in 4,039 theaters with a total of $22.4 million, down 62%, averaging $5,547 per screen in its second week.
• 'Bad Moms' (STX) is screening in 3,215 theaters with $14 million, a 41% drop, averaging $4,356 per screen in its second week.The latest box office figures showcase a competitive landscape in theaters across North America.

'The Secret Life of Pets' from Illumination/Universal continues to perform well, earning $11.5 million over the weekend from 3,417 locations, averaging $3,366 per screen. Its total gross now stands at an impressive $319.5 million after five weeks.

Meanwhile, 'Star Trek Beyond' from Paramount has seen a decline, with a 3-day total of $10 million from 3,263 theaters, averaging $3,076 per screen, bringing its cumulative earnings to $127.7 million after three weeks.

In its first week, 'Nine Lives' by EuropaCorp opened in 2,264 theaters, raking in $6.2 million and averaging $2,761 per location.

'Lights Out' from Warner Bros/New Line also had a modest weekend, earning $6 million from 2,581 theaters, which is a decrease of 254 locations, averaging $2,327 per screen. Its total gross is now $54.7 million after three weeks.

' nerve,' distributed by Lionsgate, saw a drop of 49%, collecting $4.8 million from 2,538 theaters and averaging $1,915 per screen, accumulating a total of $26.8 million in its second week.

'Sony's Ghostbusters' grossed $4.6 million from 2,545 theaters, averaging $1,837 per screen, resulting in a total of $116.5 million after four weeks.

'Ice Age: Collision Course' from Fox earned $4.3 million in its third week from 2,738 theaters, averaging $1,580, with a total of $53.5 million.

In its eighth week, 'Finding Dory' from Disney continued to draw audiences, grossing $1.9 million from 1,122 theaters, with a cumulative total of $473.8 million.

'Cafe Society' by Lionsgate, now in its fourth week, expanded to 631 theaters and earned $1.6 million, averaging $2,545 per screen, for a total of $6.69 million.

'Hillary’s America' from Quality tested the waters in 672 theaters, earning $930,000 with a per-screen average of $1,384, bringing its total to $11.1 million after four weeks.

Lastly, 'The Legend of Tarzan' from Warner Bros dropped to 648 theaters, earning $801,000, averaging $1,237 per screen, and has a total gross of $124 million after six weeks.The latest figures reveal a significant surge in box office performance for Warner Bros., thanks to the impressive launch of 'Suicide Squad.'

With an opening weekend gross of $135.1 million, the film has not only shattered records but also marked a notable achievement for the studio, pushing their domestic earnings past the $1 billion milestone for the 16th consecutive year.

This accomplishment is particularly remarkable as Warner Bros. has surpassed the billion-dollar mark 17 times in the last 18 years, setting a new industry benchmark.

Furthermore, 'Suicide Squad' has contributed to a historic weekend for August, with total ticket sales reaching an unprecedented $230 million. This marks a significant increase, as the month had previously never exceeded $200 million in a single weekend.

In addition to 'Suicide Squad,' several other films have also shown noteworthy performances.

For instance, 'Captain Fantastic' managed to earn $584k from 363 theaters, while 'Indignation' saw a substantial increase of 351%, bringing in $420k from just 55 theaters.

'Don't Think Twice' and 'Central Intelligence' also reported earnings of $373k and $371k, respectively, showcasing a competitive landscape at the box office.

As summer draws to a close, these figures highlight a vibrant market for cinema, with Warner Bros. leading the charge.

If the current box office figures remain stable,

‘Suicide Squad’ is on track to become the third-largest opening of the year,

surpassing notable films like ‘Finding Dory’ at $135.06 million,

while trailing behind ‘Captain America: Civil War’ ($179.1 million) and ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ ($166 million).

This summer, it stands as the second highest opener.

To put it in perspective, only seven films have crossed the $100 million mark in 2016 thus far.

Additionally, this marks Will Smith’s largest domestic opening to date.

In terms of historical rankings,

‘Suicide Squad’ is now the fifth highest domestic opener for Warner Bros.,

falling behind ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2’ ($169.1 million),

‘Batman v Superman’,

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ ($160.88 million), and ‘The Dark Knight’ ($158.4 million).

As of Friday, the international box office total for ‘Suicide Squad’ reached $65 million,

culminating in a global opening of $267.1 million.

This positions it as the second best worldwide debut for a DC film,

only behind ‘Batman v Superman’ at $422.5 million,

and ranks it as the seventh best for any superhero movie.

It also outperformed ‘Deadpool’, which had a global launch of $264.7 million.

However, ‘Suicide Squad’ experienced a 41% drop from Friday to Saturday,

a decline steeper than ‘Batman v Superman’s first two days (38%),

but comparable to the Saturday drop of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.

This trend can be attributed largely to the front-loaded attendance typical of superhero films,

where audiences flock to theaters on the opening Thursday and Friday.

Critics may point out that Marvel films tend to avoid such significant drops.

It’s worth noting that the Saturday figures for ‘Suicide Squad’ are compared to the combined totals of Friday and Thursday night,

and due to the nature of statistical sampling in box office tracking,

there can be a considerable margin of error for films anticipated to open above $100 million,

as opposed to those in the mid-range grossing category.

The impressive debut of “Suicide Squad” has made waves, achieving a remarkable $133.6 million in its opening weekend.

However, the reception from both viewers and critics feels familiar. Much like “Batman v Superman,” which garnered a mere 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, “Suicide Squad” has faced harsh criticism with a score of just 26%. Interestingly, audience reactions, as measured by CinemaScore, have been more favorable, landing at a B+.

While there are discussions about the film’s long-term success, it’s important to recognize the outstanding work of Warner Bros.' marketing team in orchestrating this massive opening. “Suicide Squad” reinforces Warner Bros.' capability to leverage its popular franchises effectively.

According to Warner Bros. distribution chief Jeff Goldstein, the film lives up to the expectations set by its marketing campaign. The star-studded cast, featuring talents like Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, and Viola Davis, has been praised for their stellar performances. This has resonated particularly well with younger audiences, as 76% of viewers under 35 rated the film an A-.

Moreover, the significance of a diverse cast cannot be overlooked in relation to box office success. Universal understood this while crafting “Furious 7,” which attracted 49% of its audience from African American and Hispanic demographics. Similarly, “Suicide Squad” saw 39% of its ticket sales coming from these groups, highlighting the impact of representation in cinema.

As summer kicked off, there was uncertainty among rival distribution leaders regarding the potential success of "Suicide Squad." Following Warner Bros.' struggles with "Batman v Superman," which, despite its $872.7 million global earnings, faced backlash from both audiences and critics, questions lingered about whether the DC anti-hero film could find its audience. Additionally, the previous collaboration between Will Smith and Margot Robbie in "Focus" had underwhelmed at the box office, debuting at a mere $18.7 million, leaving little confidence in the duo's ability to draw crowds.

Warner Bros. executives approached the situation with caution, not overly optimistic about "Suicide Squad's" prospects. Nevertheless, they committed to promoting the film vigorously, aiming to ensure it wouldn’t suffer from the fallout of "BVS."

One of the pivotal moves made by Warner Bros. was the early release of a sizzle reel at Comic-Con a year prior, rather than hoarding it for exclusive attendees. This strategy paid off as excitement surged among fans, leading to the reel being shared widely online. In response to the buzz, Warner Bros. quickly released a high-quality version on the internet.

However, when the criticism surrounding "BVS" highlighted its dark tone, it was announced that "Suicide Squad" would undergo reshoots. Reports suggested that these additional filming sessions might have added around $22 million to the budget, raising the estimated production cost to $175 million. Director David Ayer addressed concerns in interviews and via social media, explaining that the reshoots were a chance for him to enhance the film's creative elements.

“Reshoots for humor” was not a negative remark, Ayer stated, emphasizing that when a studio is supportive of a project, it’s an opportunity to expand and refine the vision.

Jai Courtney, one of the stars of Suicide Squad, pointed out that the film originally contained ample humor before any reshoots took place.

The additional filming primarily focused on enhancing the action sequences.

However, there are differing opinions regarding the purpose of these reshoots, with some claiming they were aimed at injecting more comedic elements, which later appeared in promotional trailers.

Regardless of the truth, it was clear that by April, during CinemaCon, Warner Bros. unveiled a fresh and exciting "ballroom blitz" trailer that impressed exhibitors.

This moment is widely regarded as a pivotal shift in the perception of Suicide Squad after the mixed reception of Batman v Superman.

Continuing its promotional momentum, Warner Bros. released more trailers at Comic-Con, where Margot Robbie's portrayal of the charismatic Harley Quinn emerged as a standout.

Her character quickly became a fan favorite, featuring prominently on merchandise and in promotional events, solidifying her status as the film's breakout star.

The promotional efforts for "Suicide Squad" have significantly outpaced those of "Batman v Superman".

In addition to a new line of toys from Mattel, similar to what was offered for "BVS", Warner Bros. has collaborated with The Acara Group to roll out an extensive range of merchandise. This includes t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and posters, all available at over 50 pop-up shops in theaters across the United States.

Moreover, a partnership between Samsung and Warner Bros. has introduced virtual reality experiences related to "Suicide Squad" at events like Comic-Con and the film’s premiere, as well as through Samsung’s VR platform.

By mid-June, Comscore's Preact data revealed that "Suicide Squad" was dominating social media discussions, buoyed by the release of character posters and the premiere of the Twenty One Pilots music video for "Heathens," which featured new footage from the film.

In the following weeks, "Suicide Squad" consistently outperformed other summer blockbusters, including "Star Trek Beyond" and "Ghostbusters", as well as highly anticipated films like "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". During Comic-Con week (July 18-24), it generated 231,000 conversations, surpassing "Wonder Woman" and "Justice League".

As of July 21, "Suicide Squad" maintained its lead with 172,000 conversations for that week alone, contributing to a staggering total of over two million discussions.

RelishMix reported an impressive social reach of nearly 600 million across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. The film's Facebook page has seen an extraordinary increase of 80,000 likes daily. Will Smith has been actively engaging his 75 million Facebook followers, Cara Delevingne has reached out to her 43 million fans, and Jared Leto has connected with his 13 million followers.

Despite mixed critical reviews, social media indicators suggested a strong performance for "Suicide Squad", with its 26 promotional videos amassing 163 million views. The "Heathens" music video alone has nearly reached 75 million views on YouTube.The online buzz surrounding the film has been notably upbeat, according to RelishMix, with enthusiastic fans who have viewed 'Suicide Squad' leading the charge in sharing positive feedback. Discussions are still ongoing about the exciting footage revealed at last summer's Comic-Con event, while conversations also revolve around the film's intriguing ensemble of villains.

When it comes to how 'Suicide Squad' is being received by critics and audiences alike, the future impact of this DC film remains uncertain. For comparison, 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' had a $166 million opening and ended its domestic run with $330.36 million, which was just shy of surpassing 'Guardians of the Galaxy.' One distribution executive, not affiliated with Warner Bros., dismissed the unfavorable critiques, confidently predicting that 'Suicide Squad' could generate between $230 million and $250 million in its opening week.

Audience reception data backs this up, as those under 35 years old awarded 'Suicide Squad' an impressive A- (76%), with 46% of female viewers also giving it an A-. The film scored an A among viewers under 18 as well (28%). Fans of stars Will Smith and Margot Robbie contributed to this strong score, with each group representing 30% of the audience.

However, the film's ratings dipped among middle-aged viewers, particularly those aged 25-34 (22%) and 35-49 (17%), who rated it a B. This demographic is thought to have pulled the overall CinemaScore down to a B+. Some speculate that a significant drop in box office earnings during the second weekend could be on the horizon. Nevertheless, 'Suicide Squad' boasts more A- ratings compared to 'Batman v Superman.' Additionally, the upcoming weekends will see a larger number of children free from school, unlike the front-loaded business of 'Batman v Superman' during the Easter holiday.

Despite mixed reviews, many critics agree that 'Suicide Squad' contains the elements of a good movie but fails to fully deliver. Not only are major publications like the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times critiquing the film, but even smaller outlets like Collider and Slate have chimed in. This raises speculation: if the reviews were overwhelmingly positive, how much more successful could the box office have been? Would 'Suicide Squad' have enjoyed a longer run?

Suicide Squad's Box Office Journey

In February 2009, the journey of crafting 'Suicide Squad' began, inspired by the 1959 DC comic.

Initially, Dan Lin took the reins as producer, with Stephen Gilchrist co-producing and Justin Marks responsible for the screenplay.

However, the production team later transitioned to Charles Roven and Richard Suckle.

By September 2014, David Ayer joined as both writer and director, and Warner Bros. confirmed the film's production during an October shareholder meeting.

Ryan Gosling was at one point in consideration for a role, while Tom Hardy was set to portray Rick Flag, joined by Will Smith as Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, and Jared Leto as the Joker.

Unfortunately, Hardy had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts with 'The Revenant.'

When 'Suicide Squad' debuted, IMAX theaters brought in $11 million across 382 locations, with 15 of the top 20 showings in the hands of IMAX.

This performance was just $200,000 shy of the opening weekend for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' in IMAX.

Additionally, premium large format screens celebrated their best August ever, generating $13 million and surpassing 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' which earned $7.6 million.

Cinemark XD screens also had a strong showing, collecting $3.2 million, marking their sixth-highest opening weekend to date.

Europacorp’s latest release, "Nine Lives," has struggled in its opening weekend, landing in sixth place with a mere $6.5 million, according to its distributor.

Despite a production budget of $30 million, the film remarkably maintained consistent daily earnings of $2.3 million from Friday to Saturday.

This raises the question: why was this film about a talking cat even produced?

Historically, the market has seen similar films like the "Babe" series and Fox's "Dr. Dolittle," yet it seems the lessons from those successes went unnoticed.

The late Christophe Lambert, a producer for "Nine Lives," initially envisioned a sophisticated adult comedy about a man who despises cats and finds himself in a feline body.

However, as the project developed, those involved encouraged a shift towards a family-friendly format, resulting in the addition of talking animals, which was not part of the original concept.

Lambert, who had many projects in the works at EuropaCorp, ultimately embraced the comedic potential of animated animals, diverging from his original vision.

The film is expected to have a $10 million financial impact for EuropaCorp after accounting for tax credits from Canada and international sales.

When compared to other family films currently in theaters, audience members seem to have experienced better entertainment options, such as Illumination’s "The Secret Life of Pets," projected to reach around $318.9 million, and Pixar's "Finding Dory," nearing $474 million by the end of the weekend.

Despite the competition, "Nine Lives" received a B+ CinemaScore, with 62% of female viewers rating it an A-.

The demographics were fairly balanced, with viewers under 25 split evenly, while 46% of the audience was under 18.

Interestingly, 60% of those who chose to see the film were drawn in by the allure of talking animal comedies.

In a weekend dominated by "Suicide Squad," Anita Busch noted that action-heavy films like "Jason Bourne" and "Star Trek Beyond" experienced significant drops in attendance, while female-centric films such as "Bad Moms" and family-friendly titles like "The Secret Life of Pets" performed relatively well.The weekend box office results from August 5-7 showcased a strong performance, particularly from the top films.

'Suicide Squad' dominated the charts with impressive numbers, screening in 4,255 theaters. It garnered $65.3 million on Friday, which included $20.5 million from early previews. The film saw a 41% drop on Saturday with $38.8 million, followed by $31 million on Sunday, leading to a total of $135.1 million for its opening weekend.

In second place, 'Jason Bourne' attracted audiences across 4,039 theaters, earning $6.6 million on Friday. It experienced a significant 44% increase on Saturday, bringing in $9.5 million, but fell 31% on Sunday to finish with a 3-day total of $22.7 million, bringing its cumulative total to $103.4 million after two weeks.

'Bad Moms' came in third, showing solid performance in 3,215 theaters. It made $4.5 million on Friday, followed by $5.4 million on Saturday—a 20% increase—before dropping to $4.2 million on Sunday, totaling $14.2 million for the weekend and $51 million overall after two weeks.

'The Secret Life of Pets,' despite losing 260 theaters, continued to perform well in its fifth week, earning $3.3 million on Friday, $4.7 million on Saturday (up 42%), and $3.6 million on Sunday, resulting in a 3-day total of $11.6 million and an impressive cumulative total of $319.6 million.

'Star Trek Beyond' took the fifth spot with 3,263 theaters. It collected $2.6 million on Friday, $4.3 million on Saturday (a 63% increase), and $3.3 million on Sunday, accumulating $10.2 million for the weekend and $127.9 million overall in its third week.

'Nine Lives' debuted in 2,264 theaters with a Friday total of $2.36 million, followed by $2.3 million on Saturday and $1.8 million on Sunday, totaling $6.5 million in its opening weekend.

Finally, 'Lights Out' was shown in 2,581 theaters, earning $1.9 million on Friday, $2.4 million on Saturday (up 24%), and $1.6 million on Sunday, culminating in a total of $6 million for the weekend and $54.7 million after three weeks.The weekend box office results for August 5-7 showcase a competitive landscape among films.

Leading the pack is 'Suicide Squad' from Warner Bros., which debuted in 4,255 theaters. It made an impressive $65 million on Friday, including $20.5 million from previews, culminating in a remarkable three-day total of $146.1 million in its opening week.

Following closely is 'Jason Bourne' from Universal, which saw an increase in theater count to 4,039 but dropped significantly with $6.6 million on Friday. Its three-day total reached $22 million, bringing its overall gross to $102.8 million after two weeks.

'Bad Moms,' distributed by STX, maintained its presence in 3,215 theaters, earning $4.5 million on Friday. Over the weekend, it accumulated $14.1 million, totaling $50.8 million after two weeks.

Illumination's 'The Secret Life of Pets' continued its strong run, drawing in $3.3 million on Friday from 3,417 theaters and reaching a total of $318.9 million in its fifth week, with a weekend total of $10.9 million.

'Star Trek Beyond' from Paramount faced a decline, pulling in $2.6 million on Friday from 3,263 theaters and accumulating $9.5 million over the weekend, resulting in a total of $127.2 million after three weeks.

Newcomer 'Nine Lives' from EuropaCorp debuted in 2,264 theaters, earning $2.3 million on Friday and closing the weekend with a total of $6.6 million.

In a detailed look at other films:

• 'Nerve' (LGF) saw a drop, earning $1.6 million on Friday with a total weekend of $4.9 million, bringing its overall to $26.9 million after two weeks.
• 'Ghostbusters' (Sony) continued to perform with $1.3 million on Friday, leading to a total of $116.7 million after four weeks.

Overall, this weekend's box office reflects a dynamic mix of new releases and continuing favorites, highlighting the competitive nature of the summer movie season.In a recent box office update, several films are vying for attention.

'Lights Out' from Warner Bros. and New Line, currently in its third week, is showing in 2,581 theaters, down by 254. It earned $1.9 million on Friday, a decline of 45%, bringing its three-day total to $5.9 million, marking a 56% decrease. Its overall earnings now stand at $52.6 million.

'Nerve', from Lionsgate Films, maintains a presence in 2,538 theaters without any reductions. The film made $1.6 million on Friday, dropping 50%, with a weekend total projected at $5 million, down by 47%. Its cumulative total has reached $27 million in its second week.

Meanwhile, 'Ghostbusters' from Sony is in its fourth week, operating in 2,545 theaters, which is 507 fewer than last week. It pulled in $1.3 million on Friday, a significant 56% decrease, leading to a three-day total of $4.6 million, down by 54%. The film’s total revenue stands at $116.5 million.

'Ice Age: Collision Course' from Fox is also facing challenges, now in 2,738 theaters, down by 1,259. It earned $1.2 million on Friday, a steep drop of 64%, resulting in a weekend total of $3.9 million, which is a 64% decline. Its overall earnings are now at $53.1 million after three weeks.

On a brighter note, Warner Bros.' 'Suicide Squad' is making headlines with an impressive opening. Projections suggest it will achieve the highest August opening ever at the domestic box office, estimating a three-day total between $140 million and $145 million. This would place it third for the year, following 'Captain America: Civil War' and 'Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice', and second for the summer season.

The film is expected to generate $65 million today, including $20.5 million from Thursday night previews.

A distribution expert noted the competitive nature of the industry, stating that even rival studios appreciate a film's success. They highlighted 'Suicide Squad' as a testament to effective marketing and the right content, which can still draw large audiences despite distractions from trends like 'Pokemon Go' and popular series such as 'Stranger Things'.According to recent data from Comscore's PostTrak, 'Suicide Squad' has achieved a notable positive reception, maintaining a score of 73%, comparable to that of 'Batman v Superman.'

Interestingly, the film has attracted a larger female audience, with 42% of viewers identifying as female compared to 31% for 'BVS.'

Furthermore, a significant 41% of attendees were African American and Hispanic, with these groups giving the film an impressive 81% positive rating.

The cast played a pivotal role in drawing audiences, with 34% indicating that the ensemble was a key factor in their decision to see the film.

Will Smith continues to prove his star power, as 23% of viewers were motivated to watch due to his involvement, while Margot Robbie, portraying Harley Quinn, attracted 21% of the audience.

This achievement marks Smith's highest domestic opening weekend to date, surpassing his previous record set by 'I Am Legend' in 2007, which opened at $77 million.

Robbie's previous highest box office draw was 'The Legend of Tarzan,' which grossed $38.5 million.

Additionally, 32% of viewers cited their love for the franchise as a reason for attending.

Despite the film receiving poor reviews, the impact on audience turnout was minimal; only 4% stated that reviews influenced their decision to see 'Suicide Squad.'

This weekend, 'Suicide Squad' is dominating the box office, capturing a significant share of the male audience. In stark contrast, Universal's 'Jason Bourne' has experienced a notable decline, with matinee showings plummeting by 86%. This downturn is expected to result in a 65% drop in its second weekend earnings, projected at around $20.7 million, bringing its total past the $100 million mark by Sunday.

On a different note, STX's 'Bad Moms' is faring better, anticipated to see a second weekend hold with a decrease of about 50%, estimating earnings between $13 million and $14 million. While this is not as strong as the 20% drop experienced by 'Bridesmaids' during its second weekend, it's still considered a solid performance in today's competitive market for such films, according to a rival distribution executive.

Additionally, the new release 'Nine Lives' from Europacorp is struggling to attract family audiences, with an estimated opening of only $6 million.

As of Friday morning, Warner Bros.' 'Suicide Squad' has made a significant impact, raking in $20.5 million from its Thursday night previews that began at 6 PM. This impressive figure surpasses the $11.2 million earned by Disney/Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' during its preview night, marking 'Suicide Squad' as the highest-grossing preview for any film released in August.

In the realm of DC superhero films, 'Suicide Squad' has achieved notable success during its preview nights, securing the third position overall.

It trails behind 'The Dark Knight Rises' from 2012, which earned $30.6 million during midnight screenings, and 'Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice', which brought in $27.7 million last March.

When looking at all superhero films, 'Suicide Squad' ranks fifth for Thursday previews, following 'The Dark Knight Rises', 'Batman v. Superman', 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' at $27.6 million, and 'Captain America: Civil War' with $25 million.

In the IMAX theaters, 'Suicide Squad' garnered $2.4 million, surpassing the $1.9 million earned by 'Guardians of the Galaxy' during its previews.

There has been anticipation that 'Suicide Squad' would dethrone Disney/Marvel’s 'Guardians of the Galaxy' as the record-holder for the highest August opening weekend, with estimates suggesting a three-day total around $140 million.

In comparison, 'Guardians' opened with $94.3 million and ultimately grossed $333.1 million, benefiting from a strong A Cinemascore and a favorable Rotten Tomatoes rating of 91% compared to 'Suicide Squad's' 27%.This weekend, the focus is on whether audience reactions will outweigh the critical feedback for 'Suicide Squad.'

In comparison, 'Batman v. Superman' managed a strong start with a $166 million opening, despite mixed reviews. It ranks as Warner Bros.' second-highest debut, following 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,' which earned $169.1 million.

However, following its opening, 'Batman v. Superman' suffered a steep 69% drop in its second weekend due to poor word of mouth and a mediocre CinemaScore of B.

The production budget for 'Suicide Squad' is estimated at $175 million, which is $75 million less than 'BVS.' Early tracking suggests that 'Suicide Squad' is performing well, with Friday matinee figures resembling those of 'BVS' during its debut.

For context, 'BVS' generated 34% of its opening day revenue on Holy Thursday. Recent trends indicate that Thursday night previews typically account for over a third of Friday's total.

As for demographics, 'Suicide Squad' is attracting more female viewers, with 42% compared to 'BVS's 31%. Additionally, the audience is slightly younger, with 53% over 25, as opposed to 57% for 'BVS.'

Internationally, 'Suicide Squad' made $8.1 million on its first day, primarily from South Korea and France, and is set to expand into 57 territories, covering 70% of the overseas market.

When 'Suicide Squad' first appeared on tracking boards four weeks ago, projections indicated an opening above $120 million. Pre-sales have been robust, with both Fandango and MovieTickets.com reporting it as their top August pre-seller ever.

Currently, 'Suicide Squad' constitutes 90% of Fandango's advance weekend ticket sales, outpacing 'Guardians of the Galaxy' by 40% in pre-sales.

Also debuting this weekend is 'Nine Lives,' a family-oriented film featuring a talking cat, which is expected to earn in the mid to high single digits from 2,200 screens.

In other box office news, Universal's 'Jason Bourne' earned an estimated $3.9 million yesterday, bringing its total to $80.7 million, second only to the first week of 'The Bourne Ultimatum,' which made $98.7 million.

Additionally, STX Entertainment's 'Bad Moms' concluded its week with an estimated $36.8 million, slightly below the final total of 'Bridesmaids' at $38.5 million, having made $3 million yesterday across 3,215 locations.

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