With a non-premium price of $6.99, “The Tax Collector,” distributor RLJE self-reports that it has first weekend rentals over $2 million and played at 129 theaters (mainly drive-ins), where it grossed $309,964. That’s first place among new releases; according to incomplete grosses on Comscore, “The Empire Strikes Back” was #1 overall. But Comscore doesn’t show 34 of the theaters that played “The Tax Collector.” We also don’t know how many of the “Empire” grosses are missing — and will never know, since, like other studios, Disney isn’t reporting reissue grosses.
“The Tax Collector” received a lot of publicity as well as terrible reviews; it currently ranks at 22 on Metacritic. But with a known director, and star, and action-movie feel that often draws in impulse home viewers, its showing is not real surprise. Its hold will be a better gauge of its interest. STXfilms IFC, which has scored several genre successes via VOD/drive-in release, has a much bigger VOD showing with “Made in Italy,” which landed at #2 at Apple and stars Liam Neeson and son Micheal Richardson. IFC took theaters as well, to minimal response. “The Secret: Dare to Dream” (Lionsgate), opened to strong results last week. Still priced at $19.99, it placed on three charts, including #2 at FandangoNow. Netflix had a near-total turnover in titles. Their original comedy “Work It,” directed by “Hello, My Name Is Doris” writer Laura Terruso, centers on a high school dance competition. The little-remembered 1993 “Dennis the Menace” is #2 at the moment; make of that what you will.
Of interest is a report from 7Park Data on streaming during July. Based on a panel survey, it reports “Hamilton” on Disney+ was watched by 37.1 percent of viewers. Among movies, that’s far ahead of second place “The Old Guard” on Netflix (10.6 percent) or “Palm Springs” (Hulu) at 7.8 percent. Well Go USA Theaters are open in far greater numbers overseas. “Peninsula,” the sequel to “Train to Busan” (which grossed $2 million in domestic returns in 2018) opened in 48 Canadian locations to $118,647. That’s a per-theater average of $2,472. Keep in mind the biggest grosses for Korean releases generally come from Los Angeles. It’s scheduled for U.S. release a week from Friday. China continues to be an enigma. The country with close to 1.5 billion people saw a total theatrical gross of $17 million, about the same as last weekend. This week saw the very delayed openings of “1917” and “Ford v Ferrari.” Sam Mendes’ film took top spot with over $5 million, while “FvF” was weak with just over $1 million. Top local films have yet to debut. Korea continues to be the success story. Homegrown “Deliver Us from Evil” took in $10.6 million, with overall results up 75 percent from last weekend. Amazing what can be achieved when authorities took COVID-19 seriously and the public followed suit. (Current distributor listed where different from original release.)
Apple TV
Ranked by number of transactions, with position as of Monday, August 10
- The Tax Collector (RLJE) – $6.99
- Made in Italy (IFC) – $6.99
- Capone (Vertical) – $0.99
- The Outpost (Screen Media) – $4.99
- Waiting for the Barbarians (Universal) – $6.99
- Trolls World Tour (Universal) – $5.99
- The Lost Husband (Quiver) – $0.99
- The Secret: Dare to Dream (Lionsgate) – $19.99
- Jumanji: The Next Level (Sony) – $5.99
- Sicario (Lionsgate) – $3.99
FandangoNOW
Ranked by revenue accrued not transactions, for the week of August 3 – 9)
- The Tax Collector (RLJE) – $6.99
- The Secret – Dare to Dream (Lionsgate) – $19.99
- You Should Have Left (Universal) – $5.99
- The Secret Garden (STX) – $19.99
- Trolls World Tour (Universal) – $5.99
- The Deep Blue Sea 3 (Warner Bros.) – 14.99
- The Outpost (Screen Media) – $4.99
- Scoob! (Warner Bros.) – 19.99
- Jumanji: The Next Level (Sony) – $4.99
- The Invisible Man (Universal) – $5.99
Spectrum
Ranked by transactions for July 31 – August 6; all $6.99 except where noted
You Should Have Left (Universal)
Trolls World Tour (Universal)
The Rental (IFC)
The Outpost (Screen Media)
The Secret: Dare to Dream (Lionsgate) – $19.99
The High Note (Focus)
The Big Ugly (Vertical)
Yes, God, Yes (Vertical)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Paramount)
Most Wanted (Saban) Ranked by number of transactions, with the daily position as of Monday, August 10
The Secret Garden (STX) – $19.99
The Greatest Showman (Disney) – $3.99
Trolls World Tour (Universal) – $5.99
Red 2 (Lionsgate) – $1.99
The Tax Collector (RLJE) – $6.99
The Outpost (Screen Media) – $3.99
Game Night (Warner Bros.) – $3.99
Jumanji: The Next Level (Sony) – $5.99
The Gentlemen (STX) – $5.99
John Wick 3 – Parabellum (Lionsgate) – $9.99
Netflix Movies
Most-viewed, current ranking as of Monday, August 10
- Work It (2020 Netflix original)
- Dennis the Menace (1993 theatrical release)
- Jurassic Park (1993 theatrical release)
- National Security (2003 theatrical release)
- Mr. Deeds (2002 theatrical release)
- We Summon the Darkness (2020 VOD release)
- Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave (2020 Netflix original)
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997 theatrical release)
- Acts of Violence (2018 VOD release)
- The Kissing Booth 2 (2020 Netflix original) Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
