Director Sam Raimi‘s new horror movie “Send Help” may do just that at the sluggish winter box office.
The R-rated deserted island thriller, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, has made $2.2 million at the box office in previews. The Disney and 20th Century release is aiming to open between $14 million and $17 million this weekend, but good word-of-mouth and diehard horror fans could take that number higher. The movie cost $40 million to produce, so a debut on the higher end and sticking around in theaters amid the dearth of new releases would make it a success.
Raimi, the horror maestro who also made a name for himself in the superhero genre by directing the 2000s “Spider-Man” trilogy and the MCU’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” is returning to the genre after first breaking out with his “Evil Dead” movies in the ’80s. His latest blood-soaked film follows two corporate co-workers who find themselves stuck on an island all by themselves after their plane crashes. Their roles are reversed when O’Brien’s cocky, young CEO must look to McAdams’ strategic planning and survival know-how to stay alive.
“Send Help” will easily beat its fellow newcomer, Amazon MGM’s Melania Trump documentary. It’s hoping to make $3 million to $5 million this weekend, which wouldn’t be bad for a political documentary, but it cost $40 million to acquire. Amazon MGM also reportedly spent another $35 million on marketing costs, making “Melania” a costly film.
The sci-fi thriller “Iron Lung,” from YouTuber and filmmaker Markiplier, is on track for second place this weekend with a $10 million bow. Jason Statham’s action movie “Shelter” is targeting a $5 million to $7 million launch after making $385,000 in previews.