Time is running out for the 2023 summer box office. Much like the way time ticks away on Denzel Washington’s Suunto Core stopwatch inThe Equalizerfilms, there’s no stopping the way time slips away. And as the summertime dwindles, the sheer number of blockbuster movies will dissipate. Regardless, Washington’s new go-round as Robert McCall inThe Equalizer 3is looking to dominate the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
According toDeadline, early projections haveThe Equalizer 3making anywhere from $30 million to even $40 million domestically over the long, four-day weekend. There are a lot of advantages working in director Antoine Fuqua’s favor when the third installment of hisEqualizertrilogy hits theaters on September 1.
First, in addition to getting extra business on Labor Day (Monday),The Equalizer 3’spreviews will begin at 4 p.m. EDT on Thursday, August 31 — giving the film a fifth day to bring in theatergoers. Second, there aren’t any other big hitters opening that weekend for the film to contend with head-to-head. Third, the sequel will have the advantage of playing on premium format screens, including IMAX.
Denzel Washington returns as Robert McCall inThe Equalizer 3. Fortunately, for Mr. McCall, he won’t have to square off againstthe money-making juggernaut that is Barbenheimer— at least not at full strength. Movies often see a small spike in their box office returns, even the ones that have been in theatrical release for several weeks or more, over a holiday weekend.
So, it won’t be much of a surprise if bothBarbieandOppenheimerexperience more returns than say they will receive over the weekend prior to Labor Day (August 25-27). But, even so,The Equalizer 3could still possibly make closer to $40 million than the early projections suggest. Comparing the box office results ofThe EqualizerandThe Equalizer 2might provide a better context as to what the third installment can expect over this year’s Labor Day weekend.
Related:The Equalizer 3 Likely Marks the End for Denzel Washington’s Robert McCall
The Equalizer 3 Targets $35-million Opening
Neither of the previous chapters opened over their own respective Labor Day weekends.The Equalizerhit theaters on September 26 of 2014. And even without a holiday or the good ole summertime to bolster box office returns, Washington’s first go-round as Robert McCall yielded a $34.1-million opening weekend in the United States. On the other hand,The Equalizer 2is the only chapter in the franchise to take advantage of the summer.
The 2018 follow-up landed in cinemas on July 20, but the summer season didn’t have that much of an effect — in terms of improving its box office dollars over the original film.The Equalizer 2only did slightly better business with $36 million to show over its opening weekend. In fact, it’s eerie has similarly the first two films performed. Both averaged just over $10,500 per cinema during their opening weekends. And both finished just under $200 million worldwide:The Equalizer($192.3 million),The Equalizer 2($190.4 million).
Now, here’s the caveat:The Equalizer 3will facemuch stiffer competition overallwhen it opens in theaters.Barbie, Oppenheimer, Meg 2: The Trench, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant MayhemandBlue Beetlewill all be in the mix. And each will offer alternative choices, especially to families who might want to go to the movies over the Labor Day Weekend — but they may not want to attend an R-rated selection. These factors could have an adverse effect onThe Equalizer 3’sfinal tally over the weekend, but not to the extent that the film won’t make at least $30 million.
By comparison,The Equalizer’sstiffest competition back in 2014 wasThe Maze Runner, whileThe Equalizer 2opened head-to-head withMamma Mia! Here We Go Again. So, considering the past performances of the previous installments, it’s pretty safe to assume thatThe Equalizer 3will end up making around $35 million over the Labor Day weekend.
