Seriously, just look at it:

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies.php?year=2009&month=10


Michael Jackson's This Is It is the only wide release coming out then and as big as it might be, there's certainly a lot more space left for other films, covering various demographics. Especially considering there are FOUR wide releases the weekend before it and considering how cluttered September is..this just seems like a big waste.


For instance The Box could be released then and benefit from Halloween. Or Saw IV could be pished there (and this way possibly deliver the franchise's biggest opening). Actually the entire September-December period seems to be pretty crowded...except for this weekend! How come?

Saturday is often the strongest day of the weekend. Having Halloween on a Saturday is more or less going to completely decrease non-horror films' box office grosses as people trick or treat and go to Halloween parties. I assume that was one reason why This Is It moved to Wednesday. Last year Halloween was on a Friday and that took its toll. Saturday will hurt the box office even more I think.

Last year, the smallest Sat/Fri increase for non-horror films in the top 12 on Nov 1, 2008 compared to Oct 31, 2008 was +90.36% for The Changeling.

The weekend could use a horror movie but it seems that every weekend has a horror movie other than the one that matters...

If only Halloween 3-D were released on this weekend next year.

It would be big.

I know, but then again, Sunday probably would have stayed almost flat from Saturday in that case. And a horror film would have fit well in there. The Box...or maybe they should have put Jennifer's Body there.

I definitely understand a lot of them wanting to stay away from that weekend since Halloween being on a weekend really hurts openers. Just look at last year. I mean, Halloween parties usually go on both Friday and Saturday. Though I don't see why there wasn't something else opening then. Some smaller movie or something. I mean, these weeks have been really crowded so it seems a waste that nothing else is opening on that weekend. If only we'd have been psychic enough to see Sorority Row and Jennifer's Body flopping one of those could have moved to that weekend.

Oh well, at least holdovers may have a bit better holds without much new for competition.

Looks like they moved Youth in Revolt from this date to 1/8/10. Sounds more and more like that is a good move.

I suppose next weekend being so incredibly empty is even more shocking, thinking about it now. Only Couples Retreat? What gives?!

This is why Paranormal Activity should go wide Halloween weekend. People usually have plans on Halloween and there are parties and such, BUT I think people would plan their Halloween night on seeing this movie.

Yeah its ridiculous. Two weekends in one month with only one release. Certainly bad planning by the studios.

PA would be perfect for either weekend.

Yep, Paranormal Activity should go semi-wide this weekend.

I want them to build up even more anticipation (if thats even possible) before going wide.

It's definitely possible. Not EVERYONE knows about it yet. But more will find out about it after it places in the top 10 at the Box Office this weekend. Then I bet they'll do around 400 theaters next weekend.

Yeah hopefully!!!

I'm so excited for this film!!

I think the UK is having to wait until November/December .

There's really no possible way this doesn't make it into the top 10 this weekend, IMO. Look at all of the extra showtimes theaters are going to be able to have this weekend? The sky is the limit.

This is really exciting . I cannot wait until Friday to see the crowd/theater reports and the Friday estimates.