Box Office Showdown: ‘Weapons’ Regains Top Spot as ‘Jaws’ 50th Anniversary Re-Release Surprises by Outpacing ‘Caught Stealing’ and ‘The Roses’

Box office numbers are in, and it seems we’ve entered a quiet phase this Labor Day weekend. Surprisingly, a horror film in its fourth week regained the top spot, while a classic finally rubbed shoulders with some fresh releases.

Warner Bros.’ “Weapons” took the lead again, earning $10.2 million over the weekend and an estimated $12.4 million by Monday. It has collected a solid $134.6 million domestically so far, and its global total sits at $250 million, all from a $38 million budget. Director Zach Cregger’s film has been a notable success for the studio, which has bounced back this year with hits like “A Minecraft Movie” and “Superman.”

In second place, the 50th anniversary re-release of “Jaws” swam in $8.1 million from over 3,200 theaters, totaling about $9.8 million for the holiday. The enduring appeal of this shark tale demonstrates its historical significance in cinema, having sparked the summer blockbuster trend by showing studios the profitability of summer releases.

Sony’s crime comedy, “Caught Stealing,” landed in third, pulling in $7.8 million for the weekend and around $9.5 million for the four-day stretch. The film stars Austin Butler and Zoe Kravitz and got decent reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes). However, audiences were lukewarm, giving it a “B” grade on CinemaScore.

Analyst David A. Gross remarked, “This opening is good-not-great.” He noted that with many crime thrillers out there, it might face challenges standing out after a summer filled with big-budget features.

Disney’s sequel “Freakier Friday” secured fourth place, bringing in $6.5 million over the weekend. It’s expected to cross the $80 million mark domestically and reach $130 million globally by Labor Day.

In fifth place, “The Roses” debuted with $6.4 million, with an estimated total of $8 million through the holiday. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, the film follows a seemingly perfect couple struggling with their relationship. While critics weren’t overly impressed (64% on Rotten Tomatoes), audience reactions were warmer, awarding it a “B+” on CinemaScore.

Gross commented on the film’s soft opening, pointing out that a project with such a quality cast might eventually do better in syndication.

Looking back, “The War of the Roses” was previously adapted into a much-loved film in 1989, which grossed $160 million—a significant amount for that era. Its familiarity may have contributed to the current film’s moderate reception.

Labor Day weekends historically see fewer moviegoers, and this year was no exception. The four-day total reached about $86 million, a 19% drop compared to last year’s impressive figures boosted by Marvel’s “Deadpool and Wolverine.” Comscore reported that overall summer revenues hit $3.67 billion, down slightly from last year and notably lower than 2023.

As we conclude this summer’s box office, industry hopes are pinned on next year’s lineup for a more robust turnout.



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