FREAKY just hammered home the importance of putting movies in theatres that people want to see.
The Universal/Blumhouse horror comedy’s $3.71M opening shows that theatres weren’t playing anything young audiences were interested in. Tired old library titles and anonymous new films launched without any real marketing buzz didn’t stand a chance.
Exhibitors needed a movie that could attract young audiences – and FREAKY was it. Tracking reports had pointed to an even better launch, but given the new national upsurge in COVID-19 infections, FREAKY did well. It also scored $1.91M from 20 international markets for a global cume of $5.62M.
Its highest definite interest scores were from -25M & to -25F. Teens (13-16) were the strongest interest age demo and were about 53% more F than M, typical for horror films. Next best group: 17-24. RT: a terrific 85%. Cost: only about $6M.
FREAKY should do well over Thanksgiving as a destination for young moviegoers. Its story in which a serial killer (Vince Vaughn) and a teen girl (Kathryn Newton – pictured in red jacket) somehow swap bodies is good escapist fun for these very troubled times.