Chapter 213: Opening Weekend Box Office

Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, New York, Boston.

From west to east, from north to south.

Premieres, interactions with fans, TV show appearances, interviews with local newspapers...

After a whirlwind half-month tour across nine cities, by the time the team wrapped up a TV show recording in Boston, marking the end of their exhaustive marketing journey, Courteney Cox felt like she was falling apart.

Exhausted and slumping onto the hotel bed, she couldn't help but think resentfully of someone, fueling a bit of hatred.

Starring in "Scream," she only received a newcomer's pay of $200,000, yet was worked as hard as an A-list actress paid $2 million. Worse, she was told upfront that this movie wouldn't skyrocket her to fame but might even hinder her future career.

But then again.

Did you give me any other choice, you jerk?

Drifting off to sleep with a mix of fatigue and grievance, she was awakened by a knock on the door. It was already dark outside.

Today was October 28th, the opening day of "Scream."

Having done everything she could, she initially tried to detach herself from the outcome. How well the movie did at the box office shouldn't concern her, she thought. Yet, upon waking, she found herself eager to know if the movie was well-received.

Rumor had it that the screenplay was personally conceived by him, though he chose not to credit himself to avoid controversy like with "Basic Instinct." Despite the gossip being hotly debated, with Daenerys Entertainment fueling the fire, no conclusive evidence was presented in the media.

Yet, she knew the truth.

It was indeed his brainchild, confirmed during a marketing meeting before their promotional tour when she jokingly asked him about it.

Feeling somewhat superior, she freshened up, joined her colleagues for dinner, and then, having become good friends with the crew recently, they decided to watch their movie together. She agreed enthusiastically.

They arrived at an AMC theater by the Charles River. Being somewhat of a celebrity, the staff had already purchased tickets for them, allowing direct entry.

However, the group wasn't in a rush to enter the auditorium. Instead, they curiously observed their surroundings in the lobby.

It was prime movie-watching time, and lines were forming at the ticket counters. "Scream" posters were everywhere, and discussions about the movie floated in the air.

Soon recognized by moviegoers, they were swarmed by fans seeking autographs, greetings, and those simply curious. Accustomed to the interaction, they mingled for about ten minutes before finally heading into the auditorium.

The room, seating around a hundred, was chosen for its size. Opting for the back rows, they noticed the packed house as the movie started, barely any seats were left empty.

Feeling relieved, they weren't so much focused on the plot—having known it inside out—but on the audience's reactions, which ranged from screams to exclamations. At one intense moment, someone even yelled, "Run, you idiot," drawing laughter and glances.

Leaving the auditorium, they were inevitably stopped again.

The cinema manager, seizing the opportunity, had arranged for posters to be signed and given away to fans. After another half-hour of busyness, they were picked up by a van arranged by their team, squeezing into the spacious vehicle, she wondered if this too was orchestrated.

Mark Belfort, the man behind the team's promotional efforts, was rumored to have personally recommended her for the "Scream" marketing team. Known for seizing every opportunity for promotion, Robert Lem also held him in high regard.

But, it no longer mattered.

Returning to the hotel, they spent some time at the bar before retiring to their rooms, eagerly anticipating the movie's box office results.

It must be good, right?

Due to the time difference, while it was already past midnight on the East Coast, it wasn't even nine o'clock on the West Coast.

Following a month of market downturn, Los Angeles was among the many places keenly watching "Scream."

Despite skepticism towards Daenerys Entertainment's aggressive marketing, the phenomenon of lines forming at theaters post-summer season made some reconsider their stance.

In a Beverly Hills mansion.

Terry Semel, CEO of Warner Bros., had a restless night.

This Halloween season, due to a lack of competing films, Hollywood's major studios reluctantly stepped back, leaving only Warner Bros.' "The Undercover Misadventures" to compete with "Scream."

"The Undercover Misadventures," a spin-off from the successful "Police Academy" series starring the stunning Rebecca De Mornay, was Warner Bros.' attempt to capitalize on the franchise's past success.

However, affected by the writers' strike, the quality of "The Undercover Misadventures" was severely compromised, and with only 850 screens allocated for its release, expectations were low. In contrast, "Police Academy 5" managed to secure 1700 screens earlier in the year despite underwhelming box office results.

With updated theater ticketing systems, accurate daily box office figures were now readily available.

Waking up to no faxed box office data, Terry Semel had little hope left. He knew good news would have been promptly shared, possibly with a personal call from the marketing executives.

Finally receiving a fax close to 8 AM, he glanced at the data, revealing a bittersweet reality: "Scream" outperformed expectations, while "The Undercover Misadventures" fell short.

"Scream" dominated with an opening day box office of approximately $4.5 million across 1755 screens. In comparison, "Halloween 4," with a similar number of screens, only managed $1.5 million on its second-week release, a third of "Scream's" earnings.

Notably, "The Undercover Misadventures" didn't even make the top three, overshadowed by older films still drawing audiences.

With a dismal opening day earning of $350,000, "The Undercover Misadventures" faced an uphill battle, suggesting a bleak total box office projection, overshadowed by "Scream's" strong debut.

Reflecting on "Scream's" success, Terry Semel was reminded of the narrative that Daenerys Entertainment's releases were creating a relay of blockbuster hits, a trend starting from "When Harry Met Sally" to "Basic Instinct."

Now, "Scream" seemed poised to continue this legacy, potentially becoming Daenerys Entertainment's fourth film to breach the $100 million mark in North America—a feat previously unimaginable for a single studio within such a short span.

Pondering over this, Terry Semel decided to call Simon, acknowledging the need for professional courtesy amidst their collaboration, despite the fierce competition.

In Malibu, Simon started his day early, receiving the box office report that surpassed expectations, a testament to the film's appeal and Daenerys Entertainment's strategic marketing, particularly among teenagers.

As the weekend concluded, "Scream" not only led the box office but also sparked discussions across Hollywood and the media, leaving many to wonder about the sustainability and future of such unprecedented success.

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