With a $23 million opening, PAW Patrol scares off Saw X, The Creator.

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie triumphs over horror sequels this weekend.
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie salvaged the weekend at the domestic box office, grossing $23 million and defeating horror sequels Saw X and The Creator.

The family-friendly film is the second big-screen version of the popular Nickelodeon animated series, and it’s a much-needed victory for the family market.
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie continues where the previous film left off, with the pups obtaining new superpowers and banding together to safeguard Adventure City from a new menace. The film has received critical acclaim for its vibrant visuals, catchy tunes, and comforting tale.

Saw X and The Creator, on the other hand, did not do well at the box office.

Saw X is the tenth installment in the long-running horror genre, following a rookie detective as he investigates a string of heinous killings.

The Creator is a new horror film from the makers of Get Out and Us, starring Elisabeth Moss as a scientist who develops a lifelike artificial intelligence.

Despite their underwhelming premieres, Saw X and The Creator may find popularity on streaming sites. However, for the time being, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is the box office king.
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie outperformed Saw X and The Creator at the US box office this weekend, grossing $23 million from 3,989 theaters in a much-needed win for the family market.

The news was equally positive overseas, as the sequel debuted to $23.1 million from 45 territories for a global total of $46.1 million, a 70 percent increase over the first film. Parents and children made up 90 percent of the audience in North America, where the sequel outperformed in all regions except the west.
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which cost a mere $30 million before marketing, follows the success of 2021’s Paw Patrol: The Movie, which helped cement Paramount head Brian Robbins’ position. That film made $13.1 million domestically before becoming a sleeper blockbuster and earned $140 million worldwide, a significant total given the pandemic and a day-and-date launch on Paramount+. A third picture is already in the works, with a release date of 2026 planned.

Taraji P. Henson, Kristen Bell, Christian Convery, Brice Gonzalez, Mckenna Grace, and Lil Rel Howery provide voices for the heroic pups in The Mighty Movie. The fledgling big-screen franchise is co-produced by Paramount, Spin Master, and Nickelodeon.

Saw X came in second place in North America, earning $18 million from 3,262 locations. While that’s not a bad start for a picture that cost $13 million before marketing, it had planned to dethrone Paw Patrol and take the top spot. The hope was not unfounded; Saw X received the best reviews in the series. The film received a B CinemaScore from audiences, which is considered a relatively excellent rating for the genre.

Saw X debuted to $11.3 million from 50 markets for a global total of $29.3 million.

The Saw franchise, which began with the 2004 film directed by James Wan and writer-star Leigh Whannell, has made more than $1 billion. It is motivated by the schemes of John Kramer, a serial killer known as Jigsaw who presents his victims with horrific choices that determine whether or not they live. Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell, died in Saw 3 (2006), yet he remained a part of the franchise through flashbacks and other means.

Jigsaw is back in the flesh this time, as Saw X takes place between the events of the second and third films, and begins with Kramer heading to Mexico to pursue an experimental cancer therapy. When he arrives, he discovers the procedure is a sham that preys on the weak, so he sets his eyes on these medical con artists. Prior to Saw X, the franchise’s Chris Rock-starrer Spiral debuted at $8.7 million and went on to gross $40 million worldwide. Jigsaw debuted in 2017 to $16.6 million and grossed $102.9 million worldwide. Kevin Greutert, a Saw veteran, helmed the latest installment.
The Creator came in third place domestically, with $14 million from 3,680 theaters. The $80 million original sci-fi epic, directed by Rogue One’s Gareth Edwards, had the weekend’s greatest swing and expects to make up ground overseas, where it began with $18.3 million from 48 markets for a $32.3 million global debut.

The Creator was produced by New Regency and Entertainment One and is released by 20th Century Studios. It is one of the few studio sci-fi films built on an original premise rather than a well-known IP, and it stars John David Washington as a man caught in the center of a struggle between humans and artificial intelligence. The Creator has a CinemaScore of B+.

The picture is Edwards’ first feature since Rogue One, the $1 billion Star Wars success, and has piqued the public’s attention given the recent dearth of creative sci-fi films in theaters. under addition to Washington, the cast includes Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, and Ken Watanabe, as well as Madeleine Yuna Voyles, who portrays Alphie, an artificial child under Washington’s care.

Another new release was Fathom Events’ The Blind, a faith-based biography spearheaded by the Robertson family of Duck Dynasty fame. The film, set in 1960s Louisiana, portrays the true tale of how patriarch Phil Robertson overcame his afflictions, including addiction, before they destroyed his family. With $5 million from 1,715 sites, The Blind rounded out the top five.

Sony’s GameStop film Dumb Money finished ninth with a disappointing $3.5 million from 2,837 venues as it expanded nationwide following a delayed launch. (The company shifted up the film’s release plan due of the ongoing labor strikes, which precluded writers and talent from participating in any promotions). Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, America Ferrara, and Seth Rogen star in the film.

Craig Gillespie’s well-received film was certainly harmed by severe rain in New York City late last week, which forced theater closures in parts of Manhattan on Friday (cinemas reopened on Saturday). According to Sony sources, the film has performed well in New York City and its surrounding suburbs. Dumb Money, like other adult-skewing material, is now hoped to have a long run (next weekend will be a telling test).