Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures’ SAW franchise has just hit two major milestones this weekend.
Spiral: From the Book of Saw is officially the #1 film in North America for the second week in a row. “And with this weekend’s success, the franchise marks a momentous achievement, crossing over one billion dollars in worldwide theatrical receipts with an estimated cume to date of $1,000,799,533,” a press release exclaims to Bloody Disgusting.
“As reported last week, Spiral is the 6th film in the SAW franchise to be #1 in North America. The film scared up an estimated $4,550,000 from 2,991 theaters across the country. To date, the film has taken in an estimated $15.827 million.
“On the international front, Spiral grossed an estimated $2.67 million this weekend from 21 international territories. The international cume-to-date now stands at an estimated $6.72M and worldwide the film has taken in more than $22.5 million. The UK is set to open at #3 this weekend, with a solid $1.15M (Mon-Sun.). Spain will open at #1 with an estimated $280k.
Spiral is the ninth chapter in the SAW franchise and originated with a pitch from Chris Rock to the producing team of Mark Burg & Oren Koules. Darren Lynn Bousman, who directed SAW II, III, and IV, returns to direct a cast that includes Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella, and Marisol Nichols.
“Working in the shadow of an esteemed police veteran (Jackson), brash Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks (Rock) and his rookie partner (Minghella) take charge of a grisly investigation into murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city’s gruesome past. Unwittingly entrapped in a deepening mystery, Zeke finds himself at the center of the killer’s morbid game.”