Harriet over performs with $12 million opening weekend

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Debra Martin Chase, as well as the cast and crew of the Harriet Tubman movie, Harriet, all have reason to celebrate this weekend

Despite an online movement to hurt the films opening weekend Focus Features Harriet over performed and beat predictions of an $8 million opening weekend by opening with $12 million.

The movie opened in 4th place at the box office but with a budget of $17 million should wind up being very profitable. In comparison, Spike Lee's BlackKklansman had a $10 million opening and went on to gross $48.7 million.

The film boasts a rare A+ Cinemascore from audiences, signaling the historical drama could continue to benefit from positive word of mouth. Older female moviegoers drove inaugural sales: 62% were women, and 59% were over the age of 35. African Americans accounted for nearly 50% of ticket buyers.

Another factor helping Harriet going forward is that it’s doing well with older movie goers who tend not to come out on opening weekend, but in the following weeks. So the movie should do well next weekend as well.

Harriet has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A+ CinemaScore from audience members which bodes well for the film’s future.

Harriet Tubman movie coming November 1, 2019

Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

HARRIET is set to be released November 1, 2019 and was directed by Kasi Lemons.

The Focus Features film stars Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Jennifer Nettles, and Clarke Peters.

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‘BlacKkKlansman’ Returns to Theaters After Six Academy Award Nominations

“BlacKkKlansman,” Spike Lee’s crime drama about a black detective who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan, is heading back to theaters after picking up six Oscar nominations.

The film will be re-released in 168 theaters across the country this weekend. “BlacKkKlansman” will play in over 30 states, including New York, California, and Florida. Academy members will be allowed in showings free of charge with their membership card.

Focus Features initially released “BlacKkKlansman” in theaters in August, where it debuted with $10.8 million — the third-best opening weekend of Lee’s career. It went on to earn $48.5 million at the domestic box office and $40.8 million overseas.

“BlacKkKlansman” recounts the true story of black detective Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), who goes undercover to expose the Colorado Springs chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. After over 30 years of making movies, “BlacKkKlansman” finally landed Lee a best director nomination, making him only the sixth black filmmaker to receive a nod in that category. If he wins, he would be the first black director to do so. He is also the first black writer to be nominated in the screenplay category more than once.

[SOURCE: VARIETY]