Universal's 'Other Mommy' topped the North American box office with $27.5 million despite weak reviews and a D+ audience grade.
By the numbers: 'Other Mommy' earned $27.5 million from 3,365 North American theaters, then reached $45.2 million globally after opening in 50 international markets. Its reported production budget was about $19 million.
- The supernatural horror film follows a creature that terrorizes a girl who believes it is her mother. Critics and audiences responded poorly, and ticket buyers gave it a D+ CinemaScore.
The big picture: The result is another commercial win for producer Blumhouse Atomic Monster and the horror genre, where modest budgets can lower the bar for profitability. Universal distribution chief Jim Orr said the audience split evenly by gender, with about two-thirds between ages 18 and 34.
- "It wasn't just one particular demographic," Orr said. "That usually is a very good sign."
The other side: Aaron Sorkin's 'The Social Reckoning' collected only $5.5 million from 2,606 theaters. Its predecessor, 'The Social Network,' opened above $22 million 16 years ago and ultimately grossed more than $224 million worldwide.
Why it matters: Opening weekend shows why studios keep funding contained horror bets: a movie can clear its production budget at the global box office before strong reviews arrive. It also shows how little a recognizable franchise connection guarantees for a prestige sequel.
