Blumhouse returned to the big screen with brand new horror movie Imaginary over the weekend, and the marketing campaign from Blumhouse and Lionsgate suggested that the studios were hoping to have another M3GAN on their hands. But while M3GAN opened to $30 million in early 2023, Imaginary only scared up 1/3 of that number in its debut weekend.
Director Jeff Wadlow’s Imaginary pulled in $10 million at the domestic box office over the weekend, but the good news for Blumhouse is that the film’s production budget was just $10-12 million. The Blumhouse model all but ensures that these smaller horror movies are going to be profitable no matter what – even if audiences and critics agree they’re not so good.
Speaking of which, you can read Meagan’s review for Bloody Disgusting here.
Meagan writes, “More than just a familiar entry in horror, Imaginary is the type of silly that doesn’t even work on a gateway level. The protagonist’s adult worries and themes of mental illness are in stark contrast to the adorable Chauncey and his childlike nature. The stakes feel low, the scares are too toothless, and the plotting feels more algorithm-based than organic.
“Worst of all, though, is the way Imaginary squanders the creative potential in its approach to the limitless concept of imagination. Despite the dialogue constantly reinforcing the boundless creativity of its heroine, Imaginary is rather low on imagination of its own, instead opting to chart a safe course filled with familiar tropes and scare trappings.”
Did you contribute to Imaginary‘s $10 million box office over the weekend? Comment below and let us know what you thought about Blumhouse’s latest attempt to create a new icon.
DeWanda Wise (Jurassic World Dominion) stars in Imaginary…
“Jessica moves back into her childhood home with her family. Her youngest stepdaughter Alice develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playful and become increasingly sinister. As Alice’s behavior becomes more and more concerning, Jessica intervenes only to realize Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.”
The film also stars Tom Payne, Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun, Veronica Falcon, and Betty Buckley. The screenplay is by Jeff Wadlow & Greg Erb & Jason Oremland.
Blumhouse’s Jason Blum will produce, with Jeff Wadlow (Cry Wolf, Kick-Ass 2, Truth or Dare, Fantasy Island, The Curse of Bridge Hollow) producing and directing.
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