Saw 3D, the seventh and supposedly “final” installment of the franchise, opened at $24 million this weekend – underperforming its $30 million estimate. Even with the higher 3D ticket price, the opening ranks only fifth among the other Saw movies.
So are people getting tired of this franchise? The movies have grossed over $750 million globally, with another billion dollars coming from DVD sales. Financially speaking, it’s the most successful horror franchise ever, but it’s time for a change. Every year they dupe audiences with the “final installment” fib. People go out and watch the gore, but eventually, the core viewers become desensitized. There’s only so much garbage a studio can churn out of one dumpster.
Another reason Saw 3D may have underperformed was because of the 3D. Maybe people are just tired of 3D movies; or maybe the $3 up-charge is turning viewers away. Further evidence to support this claim is the success of (the 2D) Paranormal Activity 2. The film is in its second week and has a grossed $66 million up to this point. It opened at $40 million, blowing Saw 3D out of the water.
Although Saw 3D claims to be the last installment, they’ll be back with another one. Lionsgate (who produces Saw) isn’t going to let Paramount (Paranormal Activity) have a monopoly on the Halloween movie weekend market. With the success of the first two films, Paramount’s already in talks to make Paranormal Activity 3. Also, the Saw writers have reportedly come up with an amazing idea for Saw 8. From the looks of it, Paranormal Activity and Saw will be in a Halloween pissing match far into the foreseeable future.
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