Hey there, movie buffs! You know what's better than a cozy night in, watching a classic mystery flick?

The answer is pretty simple – watching Kenneth Branagh's latest thriller, "A Haunting in Venice," on the big screen!

This 20th Century Studios gem, where Branagh stars and directs, has already sent shivers down the spines of many in its previews, raking in a chilling $1.2 million.

Will it Haunt the Weekend?

Now, you might be wondering, what's the deal for the weekend box office?

Well, brace yourselves, because it's expected to be a monstrous $12 million or more!

That's right; it's looking pretty similar to Branagh's previous hit, "Death on the Nile," which also pulled in $12.8 million on its opening weekend back in 2022.

Talk about déjà vu!

Comparisons Galore

Let's dive into some comparisons, shall we?

If you're thinking this spooky mystery might be your cup of tea, consider this: "A Haunting in Venice" is tracking similarly to some other films like "Doctor Sleep," which scared up $1.4 million in Thursday previews before a $14 million opening weekend.

And who can forget Jennifer Lawrence's spy thriller, "Red Sparrow," with $1.2 million in Thursday previews and a $17 million opening?

Not to mention "Ticket to Paradise," which grabbed $1.1 million in previews, leading to a $16.5 million opening.

Oh, and "Death on the Nile"? Yep, it also had $1.1 million in previews.

Seems like Branagh's got a winning formula!

The Review Factor

Now, you might be curious about what the critics are saying.

Well, "A Haunting in Venice" is currently enjoying the best reviews among Branagh's Hercule Poirot movies, with a certified fresh rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.

That's a tad higher than "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Death on the Nile," which sit at 61%.

However, there's a slight hitch – this time, we don't have a star-studded cast like we did with "Murder."

The main attractions here are Branagh himself, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, and the hilarious Tina Fey from "30 Rock."

The Underdog's Advantage

But don't underestimate the underdog!

"A Haunting in Venice" could potentially steal the weekend crown if New Line's "Nun 2" takes a nosedive deeper than -60%.

It's anyone's game at this point!

Big Screen Delight

Just so you know, "A Haunting in Venice" is hitting a whopping 3,305 theaters, and you can even catch it in Imax and PLF (Premium Large Format) screenings.

The previews included not only Imax Wednesday fan screenings but also regular showtimes starting at 6 PM yesterday.

So, grab your popcorn and get ready for a spine-tingling experience!

A Branagh Mystery

Now, let's talk about how Branagh's previous Poirot outings fared.

"Death on the Nile" and "Murder on the Orient Express" both earned B CinemaScores, so we'll be keeping a close eye on how the audience rates his latest endeavor.

Interestingly, "A Haunting in Venice" comes with a smaller budget, reportedly around $60 million, compared to "Death on the Nile's" $90 million.

The Nun's Week

Switching gears, "Nun 2" is wrapping up its first week at 3,728 theaters, securing a cool $41.7 million after a $1.7 million Thursday, which is just a slight dip of -15% from Wednesday.

The fright factor seems to be working for it!

Equalizer Keeps Going

Sony's "Equalizer 3" is also holding its ground, ending week 2 with $16.6 million after a $936,000 Thursday, only down -14% from Wednesday. It's on track to become a hit!

Greek Wedding Success

Over at Focus Features, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" is wrapping up its first week with a sweet $13.8 million after a $735,000 Thursday, down just -11%. Opa!

Barbie's Long Run

Meanwhile, Warner Bros' "Barbie" is still in theaters, pulling in $7.5 million in its eighth week.

With a running total of $622.1 million, it's set to become the 11th highest-grossing movie ever at the domestic box office, surpassing "The Avengers" ($623.3 million).

Barbie's proving that she's more than just a plastic doll!

Jawan's Journey

Lastly, Yash Raj's "Jawan" earned $367,000 on Thursday, a drop of -20%, bringing its first-week earnings to $8.3 million and a running total of $9.7 million. Not bad for a week's work!

So, there you have it, folks!

The weekend box office is looking thrilling, with "A Haunting in Venice" leading the pack.

Will it scare its way to the top? Stay tuned, grab your tickets, and enjoy the show!