The “Eras Tour” concert film by Taylor Swift is anticipated to have a strong opening at the domestic box office, with projections reaching around $100 million. However, early estimates suggest that the final weekend numbers could surpass this initial figure.
The cinematic portrayal of the pop star’s record-breaking three-hour stadium tour is poised to generate as much as $125 million in North America from approximately 3,850 theaters. Internationally, it’s expected to contribute an additional $30 million to $50 million from 4,150 venues across more than 90 countries, resulting in a global opening in the range of $150 to $175 million. These figures are remarkable not just for a concert film but also for any non-franchise movie or sequel in the current era. It would mark the sole film in October, the first since July, and the sixth this year to achieve a triple-digit domestic debut.
In contrast to typical nationwide releases that start playing in theaters on Thursday afternoons, “Eras Tour” will officially open on Friday the 13th at 6 p.m. This unconventional timing is in keeping with Taylor Swift’s numerically significant ticket pricing strategy ($19.89 for adults, $13.13 for kids and seniors), which has made the limited screenings relatively expensive compared to the national average ticket price.
This pricing hasn’t deterred Swift’s dedicated fan base, known as Swifties. By the end of last Thursday, “Eras Tour” had already amassed more than $100 million in advance ticket sales worldwide, including both domestic and international markets, as reported by its official distributor, AMC Theatres. This makes it the highest-grossing concert film ever upon entering theaters, surpassing the previous record holder in the genre, “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” from 2011 ($99 million).
The film is expected to secure a spot among the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year after its theatrical run, potentially outperforming blockbuster movies like “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” ($174 million), “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” ($174 million), and “Fast X” ($145 million). Remarkably, it will achieve these box office heights despite having fewer showtimes. Following the opening weekend, “Eras Tour” will only be screened in theaters on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as Team Swift aims to ensure the film is experienced with a packed audience and avoids half-empty auditoriums during Monday matinees.
The success of “Eras Tour” represents a significant win for theaters, particularly after several major films, including “Dune: Part Two,” faced delays due to the actors’ strike. Cory Jacobson, owner of Phoenix Theatres, highlights the impact, stating, “These ticket sales rival a major movie. Nobody has ever seen this come out of a concert film. It’s an unexpected bolstering of theatrical revenue that we need.”
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Indiana Sphere journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.