Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios’ latest release, Venom: The Last Dance, conquered the North American box office over its opening weekend, raking in an estimated $51 million. While this figure secures the film’s top spot in domestic ticket sales, it falls short of the blockbuster openings of its predecessors, according to data from Comscore released on Sunday.
The final installment in the Venom trilogy, The Last Dance, significantly underperformed compared to the original 2018 Venom, which debuted to an impressive $80 million, and its 2021 sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which opened to a massive $90 million. This closing chapter was helmed by Kelly Marcel, marking her directorial debut with the franchise, and once again stars Tom Hardy as Venom, a character renowned for his moral ambiguity and raw power within the Marvel universe.
Despite the franchise’s strong fan following, Venom: The Last Dance has received a lukewarm reception. The film holds an approval rating of only 37 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 128 critic reviews, suggesting a mixed critical consensus. Audiences, however, have been somewhat more receptive, awarding it a CinemaScore grade of “B-” on an “A+” to “F” scale, indicating a middling yet passable level of viewer satisfaction.
Internationally, the film fared better, bringing in an additional $124 million, with a significant contribution of $46 million from the Chinese mainland, pushing its global earnings to a commendable $175 million. This robust international performance underscores Venom’s appeal beyond the U.S., particularly in Asian markets, where the character’s edgier tone and darker themes resonate with audiences.
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures’ horror sequel Smile 2 slipped to second place in its second weekend. The psychological horror flick grossed $9.4 million domestically, bringing its North American earnings to $40.7 million. The chilling sequel has maintained strong momentum among horror enthusiasts, securing its position as a profitable entry in the franchise.
Another notable debut, Focus Features’ religious thriller Conclave, opened in third place, attracting $6.5 million in ticket sales. The thriller, centered on Vatican intrigue and power struggles, has piqued interest among audiences seeking a departure from conventional horror and action genres.
As Venom: The Last Dance wraps up the trilogy, it remains to be seen how it will fare in the coming weeks, both domestically and internationally. With varied reception and a notably softer U.S. debut, the film may lean heavily on overseas markets to drive its overall box office success.