Heading into the weekend Sony Pictures were estimating an opening haul of approximately $40M for their symbiote-sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which always felt a little on the soft-side considering the original’s huge opening, and the fact that sequels still appear to be making coin in this strange moviegoing world. However, nobody expected estimations to be out to the tune of $50M, with the Tom Hardy headlined sequel setting a new pandemic-record by gobbling up a whopping $90M.
As well as busting blocks in North America, Venom 2 gave the studio their largest opening in Russia, where it bowed with an impressive $13.8M. Venom: Let There Be Carnage sees Andy Serkis (Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle) directing returning Venom cast members Tom Hardy (Eddie Brock/Venom), Michelle Williams (Anne Weying), Woody Harrelson (Cletus Kasady/Carnage), and Reid Scott (Dr. Dan Lewis), alongside new additions Naomie Harris (No Time To Die) and Stephen Graham (The Irishman).
The symbiote spreads to Latin America next, and then most major international markets the following weekend, aside from China, where like comic book counterparts Shang-Chi and Black Widow, it is yet to receive what would be a lucrative release date.
Sony Pictures Chairman Tom Rothman was bullish about the fact the studio had held out for a theatrical only release, telling the press (via Variety) that “We are also pleased that patience and theatrical exclusivity have been rewarded with record results. It reaffirms the importance of the theatrical widow. We knew we had a really big movie and an excited fanbase. The marketplace comes out for the right movie.”
SEE ALSO: Movie Review – Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
A movie that did eschew the theatrical only approach was MGM’s animated family film The Addams Family 2, which was also available as a VOD option, but still managed to outperform expectations with $18M and a second placed finish. You can read our ★★ review here.
The full box-office rundown can be found over at BoxOfficeMojo.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage sees Andy Serkis (Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle) directing returning Venom cast members Tom Hardy (Eddie Brock/Venom), Michelle Williams (Anne Weying), Woody Harrelson (Cletus Kasady/Carnage), and Reid Scott (Dr. Dan Lewis), alongside new additions Naomie Harris (No Time To Die) and Stephen Graham (The Irishman).
