Scary Movie 6 cashes in big — then suffers one of horror’s steepest box office drops

If you've been keeping an eye on box office tallies this month, here's one for the record books— albeit not the sort any studio likes to boast about. 'Scary Movie 6' has just managed a truly jaw-dropping second-week drop, despite kicking off with the franchise's biggest opening ever. You'd think a massive debut would mean a bit of staying power... apparently not.

The Spectacular Plummet

Let's talk numbers for a minute. In its first weekend, 'Scary Movie 6' banked a massive $54.3 million domestically—a pretty tidy haul for a parody franchise that's been knocking about for over two decades. Then, in week two: crash. The takings nosedived to $14.5 million. That's a whacking 73.3% drop. For context, that's the steepest second-weekend fall in the entire run of 'Scary Movie' films, trouncing the previous franchise 'low' set by 'Scary Movie 4' in 2006, which fell a comparatively gentle 58.2%.

Just to underscore how rare that kind of collapse is: Box Office Mojo now places 'Scary Movie 6' around 131st on the all-time list of worst second-weekend drops. Hardly the sort of list anyone aspires to climb.

Financials: Still a Win, Sort Of

Despite that brutal tumble, don't start weeping for Paramount just yet. The film has still raked in $84.5 million in the US and knocked up a hefty $173.1 million worldwide by the end of week two. That's all on a budget of just $30 million, so no one's losing their shirt here.

After the disastrous plunge, 'Scary Movie 6' has now slid down to third place at the domestic box office, edged out by 'Obsession' (that clever little horror flick that's been steadily picking up steam in its fifth week out). Worth noting: 'Obsession' actually managed to increase its box office takings week-on-week for two consecutive weeks—something nobody's pulled off in the horror genre since all the way back in 1982. Not bad going, that.

What Went Wrong?

So, why the sudden exit from audiences? The reviews were grim. Critics gave the new 'Scary Movie' a meagre 24% on Rotten Tomatoes, with CinemaScore audiences clocking in at a less-than-glowing C+. Regular punters were a bit kinder—66% on the Popcornmeter, if you're tracking that kind of thing—but not enough to kick up any sort of positive buzz. In short, everyone's seen it, nobody's raving about it, and that translates to a sharp fall-off after the opening stampede.

Big Returns, Old Faces

There's a strong nostalgia hook with several original cast members back in the fold: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Regina Hall, and Anna Faris all turn up for this go-round. This latest entry is, naturally, lampooning the latest crop of horrors—think 'Get Out', 'Sinners', and 'The Substance' all getting the parody treatment.

• Opening weekend: $54.3 million (domestic)
• Second weekend: $14.5 million (down 73.3%)
• Domestic total: $84.5 million
• Worldwide total: $173.1 million
• Budget: $30 million
• Rotten Tomatoes (critics): 24%
• Popcornmeter (audience): 66%
• CinemaScore: C+

As Paramount themselves put it, 'The film still qualifies as a financial success.' That's one way to look at it.