EXCLUSIVE: Paramount-Miramax’s reboot Scary Movie as of right now is having the first laugh (and ultimately the last) at the box office, and big, with an estimated $7.5M in previews that began at 2PM today. Meanwhile, Amazon MGM Studios’ $170M production of Mattel and Escape Artists’ Masters of the Universe is eyeing around $4M. That Travis Knight directed take of the 1980s toys and cartoon series began its showtimes at 2PM today as well.

But the Wayans Brothers and Rick Alvarez’s Scary Movie, yikes, that’s a big preview number for a comedy, up there in the echelon of Paramount/Dimension’s Scream 7 ($7.8M previews, $63.6M record opening for franchise) and higher than 2020’s Bad Boys for Life ($62.5M) and 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($5.875M previews, $56.5M opening); all of ’em R-rated comps. The Michael Tiddes directed, Anna Faris-Regina Hall-Marlon and Shawn Wayans $30M starring ensemble was originally expected to do $40M-$45M stateside. Critics don’t get the movie at 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences so far seem to be laughing more at 68%.

Masters of the Universe‘s preview cash is just under 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife ($4.5M, $44M opening) and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire ($4.7M, $45M), all of ’em PG-13 family pics based on 1980s franchises. Note the real audience for this Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Jared Leto and Alison Brie feature will come out on Saturday. Early scores not so bad for the revamped IP at 71% certified fresh with critics and 89% with audience, much better than another expensive 1980s update, Disney’s Tron: Ares which was powered down by critics at 52% Rotten, but better with audiences at 83%.

As we told you, Fathom Entertainment and Glitch Productions’ The Amazing Digital Circus is shaping up to do around $6.8M in its first full day at the B.O. today ahead of A24’s Backrooms, which could upset Masters of the Universe for No. 2. this weekend with a $32M-$37M second frame. We’ll see.