Quick Answer

“Scary Movie” dominated the weekend box office, top movie position, pulling in $55 million domestically and $105.5 million globally in its opening weekend. The low-budget horror comedy crushed expectations and outperformed the heavily hyped “Masters of the Universe,” which stumbled badly despite a $200 million price tag. This weekend proved once again that audiences don’t always follow the biggest budgets.

Key Takeaways

• “Scary Movie” opened at number one with $55 million domestic and $105.5 million worldwide, the highest opening in franchise history
• “Masters of the Universe” disappointed with just $29.3 million against a $200 million production budget
• “Backrooms,” an indie horror film, held strong in third place with $25.9 million, bringing its domestic total to $135 million
• “Obsession” earned $25.6 million, pushing its domestic cumulative total to $152 million
• The top five films combined for roughly $148 million domestically this weekend
• “Michael,” the Michael Jackson biopic, has now crossed $354 million domestically and keeps drawing audiences weeks into its run
• “The Devil Wears Prada 2” has quietly accumulated $215 million domestically and continues to hold well
• Summer 2026 box office trends are showing strong audience appetite for horror and franchise revivals
• Streaming competition remains a factor, but theatrical exclusives are still capable of massive opening weekends
• Upcoming releases could push the summer total even higher in the weeks ahead

What Movie Made the Most Money This Weekend at the Box Office

“Scary Movie” claimed the top movie spot this weekend without question. The horror-comedy reboot earned $55 million domestically in its opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing opening in the franchise’s history. Globally, it pulled in $105.5 million, a number that signals strong international interest in the brand.

What makes this result remarkable is the film’s relatively modest production budget compared to its competition. While “Masters of the Universe” reportedly cost around $200 million to make, “Scary Movie” came in far leaner and delivered far more. That’s the kind of return Hollywood studios dream about.

For audiences in upstate New York and across the country, this was clearly the movie to see this weekend. Theaters from Utica to Los Angeles were packed.

How Much Did the Top 5 Movies Make Combined

The top five films this weekend generated an estimated $148 million domestically. Here’s the full breakdown:

Three films debuted this weekend, which is unusual and speaks to studios’ confidence in the early June market. The combined total reflects a healthy theatrical environment, even as streaming services continue to compete for eyeballs at home.

Why Did “Scary Movie” Do So Well at the Box Office

The success of “Scary Movie” comes down to three things: brand recognition, timing, and smart marketing. The franchise has a loyal fanbase that spans multiple generations, and the reboot tapped directly into that nostalgia while updating the humor for 2026 audiences.

Horror comedies have been performing exceptionally well this year. Audiences seem to want films that let them scream and laugh at the same time, especially as summer heats up. The film also benefited from strong word-of-mouth before opening weekend, with social media buzz building steadily through late May.

The film’s global reach, $105.5 million worldwide, also suggests the brand translates well internationally. That’s a critical factor for long-term profitability.

Why Did “Masters of the Universe” Underperform

“Masters of the Universe” is this weekend’s clearest loser. Opening at $29.3 million against a reported $200 million production budget, the film faces a steep climb to profitability. Industry analysts had flagged weak presale numbers heading into the weekend, and those concerns proved accurate.

The film received positive early reactions from critics, which made the underperformance more surprising. But positive reviews don’t always translate to opening weekend ticket sales, especially when audiences have multiple strong alternatives. The He-Man property, while beloved among older fans, may not have the broad generational pull that studios hoped for.

This is a cautionary tale about the gap between production investment and audience demand. Big budgets don’t guarantee big returns.

How Does This Weekend Compare to Last Weekend’s Box Office

This weekend’s total represents a significant uptick from the previous frame, driven by three new wide releases entering the market simultaneously. “Scary Movie” alone added more than most single films managed last weekend. The presence of multiple new titles competing for screens created a competitive but ultimately productive environment for theater chains.

The summer 2026 box office is shaping up to be stronger than early projections suggested. Audiences are returning to theaters in solid numbers, and the variety of genres on offer, from horror comedy to sci-fi adventure to animated features, is helping draw different demographic groups on the same weekend.

Are Ticket Sales Trending Up or Down This Summer

Based on this weekend’s results, summer 2026 is trending in a positive direction for theatrical exhibition. Three films opening simultaneously and all performing at respectable levels suggests audience enthusiasm for the cinema experience remains strong.

The continued performance of holdovers like “Michael” ($354.3 million domestic total) and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” ($215 million domestic total) also indicates that audiences are willing to keep returning to films they love, not just rushing to opening weekend and disappearing.

That said, the underperformance of “Masters of the Universe” is a reminder that not every big-budget film can count on summer goodwill alone.

How Do International Box Office Numbers Look for the Top Film

“Scary Movie’s” global opening of $105.5 million is a strong signal. The domestic take was $55 million, meaning international markets contributed roughly $50.5 million, nearly matching the domestic haul. That’s a healthy international multiplier for a horror comedy, a genre that sometimes struggles to cross cultural lines.

Strong international performance matters enormously for a film’s overall profitability. With those global numbers in hand, “Scary Movie” is already looking like a financial success for its studio, even before home video and streaming rights are factored in.

What Age Groups Are Watching This Weekend’s Top Movie

“Scary Movie” is drawing a broad audience, but the core demographic appears to be moviegoers in the 18-to-34 range who grew up with the original franchise. The reboot’s blend of current pop culture references and classic horror parody is designed to appeal to younger adults while keeping older fans engaged.

“The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act,” which debuted in fifth place with $12.4 million, is pulling in family audiences and younger viewers, suggesting this weekend had something for multiple age groups. “Masters of the Universe” was targeting the 25-to-45 demographic of original fans, but that group didn’t show up in the numbers studios hoped for.

Are Streaming Releases Affecting Traditional Box Office Numbers

Streaming remains a competitive force, but this weekend’s results suggest that theatrical exclusives with strong marketing can still command massive audiences. “Scary Movie” is proof that when a film generates genuine excitement, people will leave the couch.

The films that struggle, like “Masters of the Universe,” often do so because of audience indifference rather than streaming competition. If viewers don’t feel urgency to see a film in theaters, they’ll wait for it to hit a streaming platform. Studios that build genuine anticipation, through smart trailers, social media engagement, and word-of-mouth, are still winning the theatrical game.

What Movies Are Coming Out Next That Might Break Records

The summer 2026 calendar has several high-profile releases on the horizon that could push the box office even higher. Franchise sequels, animated features, and at least one major superhero film are all positioned for late June and July releases.

Films to watch in the coming weeks:

• A major superhero sequel with strong presale momentum heading into mid-June
• An animated family film from a major studio targeting the July 4th holiday corridor
• A thriller from a celebrated director with awards-season buzz already building

“Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” continues to hold in the top ten with $155.8 million domestic total and counting. That film’s staying power suggests audiences aren’t done with it yet, and it could push past $200 million before its theatrical run ends.

What Were the Surprise Hits and Underperformers This Weekend

Surprise hits:

• “Backrooms” continues to overperform as an indie horror film. Its $135 million domestic total is extraordinary for a low-budget production, and its $25.9 million this weekend shows it still has real audience loyalty.
• “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act” debuted with $12.4 million, a solid opening for an animated property that began as an internet phenomenon.

Underperformers:

• “Masters of the Universe” is the weekend’s biggest disappointment. A $29.3 million opening against a $200 million budget puts the film in difficult financial territory immediately.
• “The Breadwinner” earned just $3.4 million, bringing its domestic total to $13.8 million, suggesting it hasn’t broken through to mainstream audiences despite critical attention.

Conclusion: What This Weekend Means for Movie Fans

This weekend’s box office results carry a clear message: audiences are engaged, but they’re also selective. The success of “Scary Movie” and the continued strength of indie horror like “Backrooms” show that smart, well-marketed films can win big regardless of budget size. The stumble of “Masters of the Universe” is a reminder that no amount of production spending guarantees an audience.

For movie fans in the Mohawk Valley and across upstate New York, this is a great time to be at the theater. The summer slate is competitive, diverse, and delivering real entertainment value.

What you can do:

• Support your local theater by seeing films on opening weekend, when your ticket counts most toward a film’s commercial success
• Follow box office trends to understand which studios are investing in original stories versus safe franchise bets
• Check local listings at Utica-area theaters for showtimes on upcoming summer releases
• Share your thoughts on social media and with friends, word-of-mouth still drives ticket sales more than any algorithm

The next few weekends will tell us a lot about whether summer 2026 becomes a landmark season or a cautionary tale. Right now, the signs are mostly good.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the number one movie at the box office for the week ending June 7, 2026?
“Scary Movie” was the top movie, earning $55 million domestically and $105.5 million globally in its opening weekend.

How much did “Masters of the Universe” make on opening weekend?
“Masters of the Universe” earned $29.3 million domestically in its opening weekend, well below expectations for a film with a reported $200 million production budget.

What is “Backrooms” total domestic gross?
“Backrooms” has earned $135 million domestically as of the weekend ending June 7, 2026, making it a major success for an indie horror production.

How much has “Michael” the biopic made in total?
“Michael” has accumulated $354.3 million domestically, making it one of the biggest films of the year so far.

Did any animated films open this weekend?
Yes. “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act” debuted in fifth place with $12.4 million, drawing family and younger audiences to theaters.

How much has “The Devil Wears Prada 2” made overall?
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” has reached $215 million domestically and continues to hold well in theaters.

Is “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” still in theaters?
Yes. The film added $10 million this weekend and now has a domestic total of $155.8 million.

What was the biggest underperformer this weekend?
“Masters of the Universe” was the clearest underperformer, opening well below projections given its massive production budget.

How does “Scary Movie’s” opening compare to earlier films in the franchise?
This opening is the highest in franchise history, making it a record-setting debut for the “Scary Movie” brand.

Are summer 2026 box office numbers strong overall?
Based on current trends, summer 2026 is tracking positively, with multiple films performing well and audience attendance remaining solid across different genres.