Box Office: ‘Hustlers’ Dances Toward $32 Million Opening Weekend

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“Hustlers” is eyeing the biggest opening weekend ever for STXFilms, following a Friday domestic ticket haul of $13.1 million from 3,250 theaters.

If estimates hold, the stripper saga could take home around $32 million come Sunday, marking the best live-action opening of Jennifer Lopez’s career. “Hustlers” follows a group of former strip club dancers, led by Lopez, who begin swindling their Wall Street clients for extra cash.

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After debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film has earned rave reviews on a production budget of around $20 million — a much needed hit for the studio after a series of flops with “Best of Enemies,” “Uglydolls,” and “Poms.”

Lorene Scafaria wrote and directed the star-studded film, which also features Constance Wu, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Cardi B and Lizzo.

Despite its strong showing at the box office, “Hustlers” is still set to fall short of New Line and Warner Bros.’ “It: Chapter Two,” which is looking to lead ticket sales following $12.8 million on Friday. If estimates hold, the film should take home around $40 million in its sophomore weekend.

Warner Bros.’ “The Goldfinch” is faring far worse, bombing at the box office with just $870,000 from 2,542 theaters as it heads toward a $2.58 million opening weekend. Adapted from the popular novel of the same name, “The Goldfinch” stars Ansel Elgort, Aneurin Barnard, Nicole Kidman and Sarah Paulson.

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